I turned the sound down low and dialed my father. It was just after nine here, which meant it was eight something there. He answered on the second ring.
“Hey son, I was hoping you would call. Did you get my text?”
“I did, sorry, just not really in the headspace to talk.”
“I figured. Your mother’s worried about you with the loss and all the trade talk.”
I dropped my head back on the sofa and sighed. “Tell her I’m good and stop worrying.”
“I’m not telling her a damn thing but you will after we’re done. Not that it will do any good. Your mother wants to worry, she’s going to worry.”
I smirked because he sounded amused and frustrated at the same time. I had years of learning how they functioned. She was giving him hell because I hadn’t responded to her texts and calls, which meant she was on his ass to make me comply.
“She threatened a flight out here yet?”
“You know she did,” he said, his tone light. “Now tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s the league. It happens. I’m handling it.”
He was quiet for a minute. “Anything you want to talk about?”
“No, Pops. Sovoya’s working on it and I’m focused on other stuff so I don’t make it worse.”
“Good to know. They settling in?”
My parents knew the plans for me to fly in Sunday after the game to bring Rylee and Somee back to Crescent Falls. My mother was thrilled that Somee was going. My father was glad I would have help but expressed that I needed to handle things properly. Translation, keep her out of my bed and stay out of hers. I assured him that no lines would be crossed. That was easier said than done now that I had Somee here at my house.
“They are.” I smiled. “Rylee loves her room. She damn near spent the day there and didn’t want to leave.”
“Sounds familiar,” he said and I grinned at his reference to how I was the first couple weeks after moving in with them.
“That was different. I was trying to stay out of the way.”
“Yeah, but your mother wasn’t having that.”
I chuckled. “No, she wasn’t.”
“But how are you, Land? A lot of changes happening right now.”
“I’m good, Pops. I promise. I can figure out the stuff with the team later. Right now I need to work on getting Rylee set up here and that’s going to take all my focus.”
“If you need us, we’re a call away.”
“I know but I’m good for now.”
“Just know we’re here for you.”
“I appreciate that more than you know. Can I holler at Mom really quick? It’s been an exhausting twenty-four hours and I think I’m going to crash early tonight.”
“Yeah, hang on. I’m sure she’s in the hallway pacing, waiting for me to hand the phone over.”
I chuckled because she probably was. A few seconds later he called her name and I heard shuffling, followed by her voice.
“Hi, sweetheart. How you holding up?”
“I’m good, Ma.”
“Are you?” she questioned in that way that brought a smile to my face. She was ready to take on the world and fight anyone who harmed me. Folks didn’t play with a Black mother when it came to how they would ride for their children.
