Page 21 of Golden Goal

“I know. I know.” I scrub a hand down my face.

“I’m going to head out. Unless you want me to stay longer.”

“Nah, I think I’m good.”

Wes nods, and we make our way to the front door. “If you need anything, call any of us. Any time.”

“Thanks.”

He gives me a hug and then he’s out the door, and I’m alone with my daughter.

“Hey, son. How’s everything going?” Dad asks when he answers the phone the next day.

“Good. Do you mind getting Mom and putting the phone on speaker? I’m going to add Hadley to the call. There’s something I need to tell you all.”

“Okay . . .”

“What’s going on?” Hadley asks when I’ve added her. “You’re making me nervous, Holt.”

I clear my throat. Now or never. It takes me a few minutes to tell them my news.

“I’m an aunt,” Hadley squeals, earning her a laugh from the rest of us. “Even if I don’t like Kat and wish the mom was someone else.”

“You don’t have to worry. Kat signed away all her parental rights.” I shrug even though they can’t see me.

When I spoke to the lawyer this morning, he asked me to email him over the document Kat included to make sure it was legitimate. Within ten minutes of receiving it, he was calling me back to tell me it was. I have to bring him the paperwork so the office can keep a copy on file, which I plan to do later today. I also started the name change process.

“When can we come and meet her?” Mom asks.

“We could come now if you want,” Dad offers.

“I appreciate it, but aren’t you supposed to be leaving for your cruise next week?”

My parents have been talking about this month-long Mediterranean cruise since Hadley and I gave it to them for their anniversary over the summer. Well, I paid for it, but I insisted Hadley also take credit.

“Maybe we can reschedule it,” Mom says. “Besides, if you need us to come and help you with Hazel. . .”

“Nope. Go on your cruise. I got it.”

“I’ll come,” Hadley offers.

“You sure?” I ask.

“Of course. I’m between jobs at the moment. Plus, you need my help,” Hadley says without missing a beat. “I can stay for the rest of the season too. That is, if you want me to.”

“Really?”

I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do as far as childcare once I started playing again. I can’t enroll her in daycare since I’d be gone for days on end traveling with the team, and I’m really not keen on hiring a nanny.

“Yes,” Hadley says.

“Thank you, Hads.” I breathe out a sigh of relief.

We chat for a little while longer until Hazel starts fussing, and I hang up the phone after promising to send pictures and videos later.

“What should we do today?” I ask her as I feed her.

She gurgles in response.