Jett
I’m waiting at the airstrip for Kennedy to land back in Philly. She’s on Reagan’s private jet coming home from Maine.
Reagan was able to get Kennedy’s league-imposed suspension reduced from a month to two weeks, on the condition that Kennedy agreed to go to an anger management rehabilitation facility for those two weeks. It’s not her first suspension for rough play, and the league has had enough of it.
That’s where she’s been for the past two weeks. No phone. No computer. No communication with the outside world. Just time for her to work on some of her issues. Frankly, I think my daughter needed it and am happy it happened.
Fallon found out when and where she’d be arriving back in town. I wanted to be here for it.
As the plane taxis in, I get out of my car. As soon as she walks down the steps, I wave at her.
She smiles as she waves back and walks toward me. “Thanks for being here, Dad.”
“Of course. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”
She’s tentative at first but then wraps her arms around my waist and lays her head on my shoulder. I can’t tell you the last time she initiated a hug with me. I’m completely overcome with emotion.
I return the same and squeeze her tight while kissing her forehead and whispering, “Are you okay, baby?”
She nods. “I am. It was a good two weeks for me.” She looks up at me as she swallows nervously. “I’m sorry I shut you out for so many years. I was wrong. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it will take time, but I…I want you in my life.”
My eyes immediately fill with tears as I stare back down at her. “I’d love nothing more. And you have nothing to apologize for. It’s me who should be apologizing to you for not being around when you needed me. I won’t ever let that happen again. I promise. I love you so much, sweetheart.”
She nods and lays her head back on my shoulder as if I comfort her. I’m trying not to weep like a baby, but this is a big moment for us. I don’t know what was said to her in Maine, but this breakthrough is everything.
A few minutes later, we’re on our way to her apartment. “What are your plans for today?” I ask.
She smiles. “We have practice, and then Sulley is hosting a welcome home dinner for me. After that, we’ll probably meet the boys at a club for some fun.”
“What boys?”
“Vance, Daylen, Champ, Presley, and Beau. It’s usually those five. They’re decent guys. What are you up to?”
In reality, I’m meeting Harper tonight, but Kennedy doesn’t know about that yet. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her about Fallon and me, but they’ve grown close. Kennedy so obviously needs Fallon. I don’t want to do anything that would harm their relationship.
“Not much. Just wanted to make sure my daughter got home safe and sound.”
She gives me a genuine smile. “Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it.” She fidgets nervously. “It…umm…seems as though my beatdown of Diane Garma has gotten a lot of press.”
I let out a laugh. “That’s the understatement of the year.”
Kennedy’s punch is everywhere. Everywhere.
It’s on the news, on all the sports channels, and Pierce told me it’s all over social media.
She’s become a bit of a cult hero for defending her teammate.
They’re calling her a superhero. Pierce showed me GIFs and memes of Kennedy in a costume he said is the Black Widow’s.
He’s relishing in her bolstered stardom.
She nods. “My voicemail and emails are flooded with new endorsement offers.”
I smile. “That’s great, sweetie.”
“It is. I’m overwhelmed. I think I might look for a bigger agent. Do you mind?”
I had passed the name of a small agent friend of mine to her last year. “Of course not. Whatever is best for you. Do you want me to call Leo?”
She scrunches her face. “Nah, I want to do it on my own. I don’t want him taking me on as a client as a favor to you.”
I shrug. “I don’t think it would be, but you have a good head on your shoulders. Do what you think is best for you.”
She smiles with pride. “I will.”
“Where are you going, Dad?” Pierce asks.
I jerk back in surprise as I walk past my kitchen, where he’s suddenly appeared. “Hey, bud. I didn’t know you were here. I have dinner plans. Do you need me to cancel?”
He shakes his head. “No. Who are you having dinner with?”
“With nunya. Nunya business,” I joke, hoping he doesn’t prod further.
He cracks a smile. “Did you just attempt a joke, bruh?”
“Yes, bruh, I suppose I did. This old dog still has a few tricks up his sleeve.” I wiggle my eyebrows up and down.
He lets out a laugh. “You look chopped.”
I glance down at myself. “Is that good?”
He shakes his head. “No. You look like a Bible salesman.”
I’m in jeans, a white button-down shirt with a tie, and a navy blue blazer. Perhaps it’s a bit much to meet a nine-year-old.
“Hmm, maybe I should change.”
“You should def change. Can I have a friend or two over to watch Super Mario Galaxy Movie on the big screen?”
I nod. “Of course, but I thought you were with your mom tonight.”
His face falls. “Nah. She’s an opp right now.” He hasn’t wanted to spend time with Ginny since she brought that young guy to the game. It’s got me terrified to introduce him to Fallon. I don’t want to alienate him. He needs one of us to look out for his best interests.
“Don’t be so hard on her.” I sigh in light of his silence. “Have you spoken to Kennedy? She’s back.”
He nods. “Yep. She called me today. We’re having lunch tomorrow. She said she has a mad grad gift for me.”
She missed his high school graduation because of her league-mandated rehab. He handled it shockingly well. I think she promised him some elaborate gift in exchange for him not freaking out over it.
I stand at Fallon’s door more nervous than I’ve ever been for anything in my life.
For some reason, this larger-than-life nine-year-old has this two-hundred-and-fifty-pound man on edge.
Fallon and I agreed we won’t discuss that Kennedy is my daughter.
Harper spends time with her, and we want to tell Kennedy when we’re prepared to tell Pierce.
Per his suggestion, I’m now in jeans, a white T-shirt, and the blazer. Straightening the non-existent crinkles in my shirt, I finally build up the courage to ring the doorbell.
Within seconds, it swings open, and the cutest kid—a mini-Fallon—is standing there in black leggings and an Anacondas softball T-shirt. She pokes her head out and quickly looks around the outside area before looking at me with a straight face. “Did anyone follow you?”
My face falls. “Huh?”
“Did. Anyone. Follow you? I’ve got a lot of people looking for me right now.”
What is happening?
I hear Fallon’s voice from behind her. “Stop answering the door the way Aunt Kam taught you to. Let him in.” She arrives at the door and leans on the frame with a big smile. “Sorry, Kamryn teaches her the worst things.”
Harper giggles. “You should have seen your boyfriend’s face, Mommy. Can you send me the Ring video so I can show Aunt Kam how your boyfriend reacted?”
Okay, I know Harper is supposed to be super smart, but this is not what I expected. I look down at her. “You’re not really nine, are you?”
“Nine and a half,” she states proudly.
“Ahh. It must be the extra half that’s throwing me off.” I hold out my hand. “I’m Jett.”
She places her tiny hand in mine. “You’re Mommy’s boyfriend. I have a boyfriend named Luke, but Bails said not to tell Daddy so he doesn’t kill Luke.”
Fallon bites back a smile as she looks down at her. “Why don’t you tell Jett your name?”
Harper smacks her head. “Duh. I’m Harper. You’re very big.” She looks up at Fallon. “Mommy, your boyfriend is super big.”
Fallon runs her lower lip through her teeth as her eyes move up and down my body. “Yes, he most certainly is.”
I wink at my girl before I lean forward to kiss her lips but think better of it and kiss her cheek instead.
I then crouch down to Harper. “Someone told me you’re a Skittles fan.
I brought you this.” I hand her a big stuffed pillow made to look like a Skittles box.
It has a ribbon around it holding two big boxes of actual Skittles.
Her eyes widen. “Mommy, your boyfriend is trying to bribe me, but I accept bribes. Uncle Daylen bribes me all the time.” She carefully examines the pillow. “Wow, this is sublime.”
I chuckle. Fallon mentioned her large vocabulary.
“Come in,” Fallon waves in invitation. “Dinner is in the oven.”
I raise an eyebrow in question. Fallon can’t cook.
She giggles. “Let me clarify. Bailey and Harper whipped up a homemade lasagna this afternoon. I’m trying not to ruin it by heating it up.”
Harper nods. “My mommy could ruin boiled water. At least that’s what Aunt Kam says.”
I twist my lips. “Aunt Kam sounds like a troublemaker.”
Harper smiles. “She is. My daddy gets mad at her all the time, but Mommy and Bails love her. I love her too. She’s super funny. She coaches my softball team. She lived with us for a few months when Bails couldn’t walk. She also—”
Fallon covers her mouth. “Okay, motormouth. Let’s allow him all the way in the door before you give him your life story.”
I chuckle. She’s a trip.
I walk inside to the delicious smell of lasagna cooking. It makes me nostalgic for my childhood.
“Harper,” I say to her, “lasagna is my mother’s specialty. It was my favorite meal when I was a kid. Thanks for making it for me.”
Her face lights up. “Really?” She turns to Fallon. “Did you know your boyfriend likes lasagna?”
Fallen nods. “I did, and you don’t need to keep referring to him as my boyfriend. He has a name.”
Harper gives a crooked smile. “Sorry.”
I shake my head. “Don’t be. Being your mommy’s boyfriend is my favorite thing in the world.”