“I hope so because I sort of dug in with Dad and told him that there was no way that I was giving her up this time. I meant every word I said. But if she doesn’t want me around, all of this was for nothing,” I say, shaking my head.
“No, I wouldn’t look at it that way. You stood up for yourself. Who knows if this is over with Hendrix. Not backing down was a good first step with him. And letting him know that he cannot disrespect Hendrix was also a good move. Now you just have to wait and see what happens. See how he reacts and also how things go with her.” Drew chuckles. “Who would have thought that you would still be having girl problems with Dad all these years later?”
“It’s not funny. I can’t believe he still thinks that he can pull this crap with me. It disgusts me that he thinks it’s still acceptable for him to tell me what I can and cannot do. Like I’m some kind of child.”
“Well, Dad is used to getting his way,” he reminds me.
“But he doesn’t pull this shit with you,” I fire back.
“No, no he doesn’t. But I’m also not dating my goalkeeper, someone he disapproved of many years ago. So that could be why.” I can tell he’s trying to make me smile, but it’s not working.
“I get it. Not the best choice of who to date, but it’sher,” I remind him.
“It is. And I love that you talk about her like this. It’s so cute how smitten you are with her. I’ve never seen you like this over a girl. It’s kind of great. She must be something really special.”
“You met her. You tell me.” I grin into the phone, finally smiling. Of course, it would be over something that relates to her.
“Yeah, she is pretty great,” he admits. “We’ll figure this out, August. Don’t worry, he won’t get the last say this time. You and me, we’ll figure this out.”
“Thanks, Drew. I appreciate the support.”
“That’s what I’m here for, little brother,” he replies.
We hang up and I turn my chair, staring out at the practice field. I suddenly wish that she was out there so that I could at least see her. Tomorrow night, she’ll be on the game field. I guess I have to wait until then to catch a glimpse of the woman I would give all this up for.
Chapter Thirty-One
~HENDRIX~
He’s called.
He’s texted.
And I haven’t responded to any of it.
I half-expect him to show up at my apartment in an attempt to see me. But being that it’s team housing, there’s little chance he’ll actually show up. He never has before. This seems to be the one place that August likes to ensure is clear of front house staff and coaches, where we can relax and be ourselves.
That night the Uber took me to his building, where I retrieved my car from the garage. Thankfully, I made it home and didn’t see any of my friends who had helped me get ready. I don’t think I could have handled that.
I laid low on Sunday, praying that no one was going to come and see me. I was grateful that no one did.
But now it’s Monday and I’m sitting in the Blaze locker room, wearing my goalie kit. It’s our game against the Orlando Pride. I’ll surely see August after the game. I saw his car was in the parking lot. I know he’ll do what he normally does and head from the office to the box.
I know that any talking we may do will be after the game. Although, I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. Because I keepanalyzing everything that happened that night. The words that his father said, and what his reactions were to it. I thought he would say something to this father in defense of me.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he offered to take me home. I guess I should be happy that he volunteered to leave with me. And not just stay there, cowardly. But I expected more from him. I expected him to act like an adult and stand up to his father.
But he didn’t.
Sighing, I put my head in my hands. I can hear the other girls are arriving. Getting here early to have some time to think things over in a different setting sure didn’t help. But at least the only friends that I have here are already on the field. Mac and Cassie are out there doing their normal pre-game ritual. I’m sure what happened the other night will come up before the game.
Maybe talking about it would make me feel better.
I sigh, rising from the bench and grabbing my gloves and gear bag. Time to head out to the field.
I see Cassie and Mac stretching together in the center of the field. Once I put my bag on the bench, I decide to join them. As I reach them, I can see that both of them are smiling widely at me.
