34. Lennox
Chapter 34
Lennox
The Storm coasted through pre-season into September like the defending champions we were. When I was back under center, our game flowed as if we never had a six-month hiatus. The only hiccup we’d run into was our loss of yards from penalties. And that had a lot to do with Colin.
The news about Dane and me hit the local media and the rumor mill in the NFL. Evan and the governor were still making headlines every time Hudson showed up for a game. I expected the firestorm about us to rock social media any day.
That’s why I wasn’t surprised when Roger brought it up at the hotel the night before our game with Arizona. He invited me to dinner when I was in town for training camp.
We met in the bar before heading out to dinner at a local restaurant. Most people were used to seeing Roger and other players around, so having dinner at our favorite restaurant was a given. It was one of the few places we could eat without signing autographs between courses.
When he walked into the bar, I was having a tonic water and lemon with Evan. I stood and held out my hand to greet him.
“Roger, you know Evan.”
He smiled and held out his hand to shake. “Good to see you again, Evan. How’s your season going?”
“Pretty well, thank you. If we can keep the baby receivers from dropping the ball, it will be better. That just takes some time.”
Roger nodded. “I remember those days. Keep running them through the tape before they take the field. That always helped my guys.”
Evan smiled. “I’m sure coach has a plan.”
His phone vibrated from where it sat on the table. He picked it up and read the screen, then smiled. “I’ve got to take this.”
He stood from the table and held out his hand to shake. “Good to see you again, Coach Callaway.”
“You too, Evan.”
“Better not keep the governor waiting,” I snarked.
“Never do if I can help it. Catch you later.”
I waved before turning my attention to Roger. “Shall we go? I’m starved.”
I patted my stomach and stood from the chair. Roger put his hand on my arm and looked up at me.
“I was hoping to talk to you for a moment before we go.”
I sat back down and tried to assess his demeanor. Something was on his mind and I bet I knew what it was.
“Alright. What’s on your mind?”
He looked over at the door that Evan had just walked through, then looked back at me.
“How does your team handle his relationship with Hudson Gatlin?”
My stomach clenched, even though I knew this was coming. I expected him to show up in San Diego.
“Everyone is fine with it. The man is the Governor of California. He just brings extra press and attention to the team. And he’s a nice guy. He loves Evan, and Evan loves him. End of story.”
Roger glanced down at the table where he was tapping his fingers. Then he looked up and met my eyes. “So it hasn’t become a distraction for the team?”
“Not at all. What’s this about Roger? I have a feeling all these questions have nothing to do with Evan.”
He sighed heavily and looked at the table again. “Evan is a great player, but probably not Hall of Fame great. You are. I’d hate to see all our hard work be lost because you’re distracted by a media stunt or dalliance with my son.”
Even though I knew this was coming, it still made me angry. I tried to reel in my ire and control my voice, but I must not have done a very good job.
“Excuse me? What did you just say?”
Roger looked up at me with a little apprehension in his eyes. “I know you and Dane have always been close. And I saw the way he used to look at you when you boys were in high school. I’d hoped it wasn’t what you boys say that it has become.”
I took another calming breath. It was baffling to me that I was the only one who didn’t see it.
I reached for my tonic water, wishing it was something stronger. Willing myself not to alienate the man who had meant the world to me and would one day be my father-in-law, I asked the question.
“If you could see it back then, how could you call what we have anything less than love?”
He stared at me. “Are you saying you return his feelings? And that all this is not a media stunt?”
I laughed humorlessly. Leaning forward, I got close enough where he could hear me and see that I was serious.
“I might be a goofball about a lot of things. And I may have shown my ass more than once to the media when I was younger. But whatever happens with my career, none of it means more to me than Dane. Not one more second of playtime, not another season, not another million dollars. None of it means anything without him. My only regret in life is that I lost those years with him.”
His head bobbed slowly as he looked down at the table. He tapped nervously but said nothing.
“I’m sorry if that upsets you, but I will never apologize for loving him. He’s the best person I know. One day I’m going to talk him into marrying me. And if you can’t accept that, then you’re not the man I thought you were.”
I got up to walk away, but he reached out and grabbed my wrist. “Please, just hear me out.”
I sat back down and folded my arms over my chest. As I looked at him, I noticed the tremors in his hands.
Was something else going on?
“I’m sorry what I said came across that way. I love my children very much. And I’m not a hater. I just want what’s best for you both. Your careers are dangerous and people are mean. I’m just trying to look out for you both. I told my son that as well.”
I took a calming breath. “I know. He told me.”
The silence became awkward for the first time. And I wasn’t sure what to do about it, but I knew I didn’t care to cause more problems.
“Roger, I love you like a father. You know that. I have my career because of the time you spent molding me. But we both know you prioritized me over him. I won’t do that to Dane. I’ve figured out I don’t need football or the Hall of Fame. I need him. And always have.”
I let my words sink in a moment. He gave me a single nod and a smile.
“He seems happy again for the first time in a long time. And I owe that to you, Lennox.”
My anger faded quickly. Maybe his intentions weren’t how I took them.
Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I smiled because that’s what thinking about Dane did to my face.
“ That’s one thing I will gladly take the credit for because he does the same thing for me.”
He smiled a genuine Roger smile. It was the one from when we were kids. “I hope you won’t hold my concerns against me.”
I shook my head. “I can appreciate your concern, but at this point in life, I’m more concerned about happiness. I’ve been going through the motions of life, and I think Dane’s been doing that too. He’s felt pushed aside, and I need to make him my focus.”
Roger studied me a moment, then sighed. “I have a lot to make up for.”
I tilted my head in acknowledgment. “You do, and he’s worth the effort.”
“He’s lucky to have you, Lennox.”
I shook my head. “I’m the lucky one.”
Roger smiled. “Then let me buy you dinner.”
I stood and held out my hand to shake. “Nah. This one is on me. I’ll let you pay for the wedding.”