“Adam, I’m sorry I lied to you. I love you like you’re my own father, and I’m so damn grateful for all that you’ve done for me over the years. I hope that in time, I can re-earn your trust.” I meet his gaze, holding eye contact. “Without your support, I wouldn’t be half the man I am, but I’m an adult and so is Ava. We should be free to make our own choices.”
“You mean your own mistakes?” he asks, skepticism lining his hardened features.
“No.” I shake my head, voice thick with emotion when I speak. “Loving Ava could never be a mistake. If you don’t know that, then I feel sorry for you.”
Coach leans forward, covering his face with his hands and resting his elbows on his knees.
He’s frustrated, upset, and if I’ve gotten through to him, recognizing the error of his ways.
I squat before him, resting a hand on his shoulder. It’s a surprising reversal of our usual roles, but maybe it’s just what we need.
“You still have time to make this right, to show Ava that you care about her more than the damn game. You may not be able to see it now, but if you don’t fix this, it’s going to be the biggest mistake of your life.” One I’d hate to see him make. “I lost mymother to an accident, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss her, don’t wish we’d had more time together. Ava is right fucking here. Don’t you see how lucky you are to have this opportunity with her? Don’t fuck it up because you’re too stubborn and too proud to admit you were wrong.”
Coach exhales wearily and scrubs his hands over his face. When he straightens, his eyes are clear and there’s no trace of the hurt and anger that lined his features just moments ago.
He stands and I follow suit.
“You’re truly in love with my daughter.” His tone is…bemused, and the hint of a smile curves his lips. “I never thought I’d see the day Knox St. James became a simp.”
I pull a face. “Coach, do you even know what that word means?”
“McGinnis has been giving me an education.”Of course he has. I groan, and Coach’s grin widens. “Listen, I know I didn’t handle this situation the best, but Ava’s lucky to have you in her corner.” He claps me on the shoulder. “You’re a good man, Knox, and it’s clear you care for her a great deal. The fact that you came here today, went to bat for her, well, I’d say Ava couldn’t ask for a more devoted or passionate partner.”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes, and I blink rapidly. “Thank you, sir.”
“Hell, if there was such a thing as a daughter test, you’d pass with flying colors.” Before I can respond, he throws up his hands in self-defense. “I get it. Ava’s a grown woman and she can make her own choices.”
“True, but I’m not the one who needs to hear it.”
“Fair enough.” He nods and jerks his chin toward the locker room. “Now, get out of here so I can get some work done. I’m sure you have better things to do than sit around and yap with me.”
He’s right, I do.
It’s time to put the second part of my plan into action.
I slip into the hall, pull my cell phone from my pocket, and start typing.
It’s time to implement part two of my plan.
Me: Team meeting at The Smoothie Bar. 8am.
The Smoothie Baris just a few minutes from the arena, and because it’s located in a business park, the morning rush is mostly drive-thru, which works perfectly for our needs. I’m the first to arrive, and I order a strawberry-banana smoothie from the harried girl at the counter. Behind her, blenders whir and buzz, providing the perfect cover for our unofficial team meeting.
I’m seated at a table in the back when the guys start to file in one by one, their faces anxious.
D-Vo arrives first, followed by McGinnis, Hardy, and Smitty. The rest of the guys arrive in quick succession, and once they’ve ordered, they gather around the high-top tables in the back of the restaurant.
Once everyone’s settled, I stand and clear my throat.
“Thanks for coming on short notice. I’ve got some news to share, and I didn’t want to risk being overheard by anyone at the arena.”
“What’s up?” Hardy asks, rolling his cup between his palms. “It’s been a minute since we had a team meeting like this.”
I nod slowly, mentally organizing my thoughts.
“Ava’s been fired.”
“The hell you say?” D-Vo asks, brows pulled low. “Is that why she wasn’t in yesterday? I knew something was up when shewas a no-show for our appointment. She’d never bail without canceling.”