Chapter 60 #2
Coach McGuire sucked in his cheeks. “If I had to guess,” he stated, surprising Ben with his answer. Ben knew Melody and her father were close, but were they so close that they discussed the particulars of her romantic life?
“When I spoke to my wife earlier today,” Coach McGuire went on, his tone hesitant, “she gave me the impression that Captain Thom’s matchmaking endeavors had panned out.” He paused, watching for Ben’s reaction before adding, “And that Melody has been seeing his grandson, Nolan, for a few weeks now.”
Ben’s heart beat a nervous rhythm in his chest even as he tried not to get ahead of himself and jump to conclusions. “I knew that Melody had met up with Nolan once,” Ben said carefully, the other man’s name tasting bitter on his tongue, “but . . . not more.”
Not since their first date. Not since their feelings had grown and they’d taken their relationship to the next level.
Ben kept his comments deliberately vague. Even if he’d been inclined to discuss the particulars—which he wasn’t—Coach McGuire certainly didn’t need the intimate details of Ben’s relationship with his daughter.
Coach McGuire cleared his throat. “I’m sorry,” he sympathized.
“I don’t want to be having this conversation any more than you do, but your personal life affects both the team and your play.
And lord knows Jimmy isn’t going to be the one to have this conversation.
Especially not when my connection to both you and Melody has pulled me into the media fracas. ”
Ben winced. He’d known that his involvement with Melody had the potential to cause some backlash for both the team in general and Coach McGuire in particular, but he’d felt so confident in their inevitability that he hadn’t given the potential consequences any real consideration. Maybe he should have.
Coach McGuire shifted uncomfortably on his feet. Clearly, the older man had more truth bombs to drop.
“Whatever it is you have to say, just say it,” Ben requested as he braced himself for impact.
Coach McGuire cleared his throat uncomfortably but did as Ben asked. “I don’t know when this photo was taken—or who this man definitively is—but I understand that not only has Melody been out with Captain Thom’s grandson, they have plans to go out again later this week.”
Ben’s fists clenched. He was grateful he kept his nails short. He could only imagine the damage he’d be doing to his palms otherwise.
“And you felt this was something I needed to know?” Ben asked, the question leaving his lips more briskly than he’d intended.
Coach McGuire’s lips twisted into what Ben could only think to call a grimace.
“You need to be prepared for the media to keep publishing pictures of Melody and Nolan. As much as I would rather keep my nose out of my daughter’s romantic affairs, we still have a game to play, and this team needs you to give it your best.”
“And surprise revelations aren’t likely to do anything good for my play,” Ben acknowledged.
Coach McGuire nodded curtly. “Correct. The stories circulating in the media might still affect you, but they’re unlikely to have as great an impact if you see them coming.”
The room fell silent as Coach McGuire gave him a chance to digest what he’d just said.
Ben’s head was spinning. He knew that he and Melody were going through a rough patch, but how could she do this to him?
To them? Was she really dating someone else while they were together?
Melody had mentioned wanting to pursue a friendship with Nolan, but this picture made their relationship look more than chummy.
Ben paused. He’d referred to Melody as his girlfriend, but had she ever called him her boyfriend?
A sick feeling overtook him. Had he just presumed a level of commitment that Melody had never consented to?
Despite her claims not to want anyone but him, had she not considered their relationship exclusive?
Ben bristled at the thought. If Melody hadn’t been on the same page, he would like to think she would have had the decency to at least set him straight.
Then again, he thought with a pang, if she had tried to tell him, would he have even heard her?
Had she given him an indication that he’d jumped too far ahead, and he’d simply chosen not to see it or hear it?
“Can I give you a little bit of unsolicited advice?” Coach McGuire asked, breaking into his troubled thoughts.
Ben nodded his permission and unclenched his jaw, which had gone tense. “Please.” He would welcome any words that might redirect his dark musings.
“If you’re serious about wanting to be with Melody,” Coach McGuire observed, “it looks like you might have to fight for her.”
Ben laughed without any real humor. “Why are you telling me this? You just got through saying you’d rather keep out of Melody’s relationships.” Ben studied the older man. “As her father, don’t you just want Melody to be happy? No matter who that’s with?”
Coach McGuire shuffled from foot to foot. “I do,” he affirmed, “but the truth is I’ve never seen my girl happier than when she was with you. And that’s worth fighting for.”
Ben looked back down at the photograph in his hands. Nolan’s interest in Melody was plain to see, but what of Melody? Did she share his interest? That was less clear. Despite the allusions cast by the article, the picture didn’t reveal Melody’s reaction.
What if the reporters were just manufacturing a story? What if Nolan’s interest was totally one-sided and Melody really was only in it for the friendship? Should Ben give up on Melody just because there was a chance she might be considering her options?
Something inside of Ben rebelled at the mere possibility of giving up on Melody. He’d said it before and meant it: She was it for him. He knew it for the truth it was.
But how to convince Melody that he—they—were worth it despite the obstacles that had been thrown in their path?
One thing was clear. He needed to talk to Melody and sort out this whole mess.
Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
Thanks to the risks he’d taken to get himself signed to the Challengers, Ben was only guaranteed a single year here.
He could fight for Melody and maybe even win her, but what if he did it at the expense of his game?
He’d have to move, which might cause him to lose her for a different reason.
Ben felt his frustration rise. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He would do everything he could to show Melody he cared for her, all while redoubling his efforts to bring the Cup home to Chicago.
Ben could only pray that what he had to give would be enough because it looked like he stood to either win or lose all his biggest dreams in one fell swoop.