Then she was gone, her footsteps fading down the hall.
I stepped into my father’s office, my heart pounding hard enough I wondered if he could hear it.
He sat behind his desk, leaning back in his chair, grinning like someone who’d won something big.
“Hell of a start to the season, huh?” He gestured to the chair across from him. “Two games, two wins. The press is eating it up.”
I sat, gripping my hands together in my lap to keep them from trembling.
“They’re calling the trade a steal,” he said, pulling up something on his computer screen. “Look at this. Three different articles about how Tolrek’s old organization didn’t see what they had. How we got him for nothing, and he’s playing like a first-line defenseman.”
My belly twisted.
“I knew he had it in him.” My father turned the screen toward me so I could see the headlines I’d already read this morning. “Whatever clicked during camp has worked. I think your sessions played a role in it, though. You’re great at what you do.”
He was crediting me for Tolrek’s success without understanding that what I’d shown Tolrek on tape had been tangled up with everything else we’d become to each other.
“I’m proud of you, honey.” Dad’s expression softened. “You’re a huge part of why this team is succeeding. I don’t say that enough.”
For years I’d been chasing his approval, wanting him to see my work and recognize what I contributed. Now his words made everything harder.
This was my opening, the perfect moment to shift the conversation to confession.
“Dad, I need to talk to you about something.”
His phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and his expression tightened.
“It’s the GM.” He looked up at me. “I’m sorry, honey, I have to take this?—”
“Dad, it’s important?—”
He was already answering, holding up one finger. “Jim Beecham. Yeah, I saw that. No, we need to—What? When?”
I sat in the chair across from him, watching him talk, feeling the moment slip away.
“Tonight,” my father said, covering the phone with his hand. “Come to my place for dinner? Just us? We’ll sit down and talk. I promise.”
The GM’s voice rose on the other end.
“Seven o’clock?” my father said, turning his attention back to the call.
“Okay,” I said, rising.
He smiled and started typing on his computer screen, his phone wedged between his shoulder and chin.
I left his office, closing the door behind me.
The hallway felt too bright and too empty.
My phone was in my hand before I’d made it five steps.
Change of plans,I texted.I’m telling him tonight at dinner. Just me first, then we’ll talk to him together after.
Tolrek’s response came through fast.Are you sure? I should be there with you.
I stopped walking and leaned against the wall for support.I need to do this part alone. He’s my dad. But I’ll need you after.
I’ll be waiting. I love you.
