Fan Girl
FAN GIRL
Willow
For years I watched Bronx Parker play center for my favorite rugby league team. No one cheered louder when he retired early to take up a coaching role, and when he was promoted to head coach within three years, I watched each post-game media interview with renewed interest.
To say I’m a fan is an understatement. But there’s a difference between idolizing a man on TV and having a front-row seat to the impact of his marriage breakdown on his daughter. Charlotte Parker spends half her lunchtimes in my office crying because she misses her daddy, and the other half in the playground avoiding taunts about her family drama.
I could separate Charlotte’s father from Bronx Parker in my head … until today. Now, I understand the phrase, panty-melting . Since Bronx Parker walked into my classroom, my disintegrated panties may never recover.
As one of the youngest primary school teachers, I’ve become immune to single fathers trying to use me to make their ex-wives jealous or snag me as a trophy date.
But I wasn’t immune to my body’s reaction when Bronx Parker rushed into the room and enveloped his daughter in a hug, so much hotter in person than I expected. When he held his own emotions at bay to listen and comfort her, I had to sit on the desk to stop my knees from giving way.
If hours of media interviews hadn’t been enough, the hour in my classroom told me everything I needed to know about the man. Bronx Parker puts his daughter first, second, and third. And I’m here alone, in the living room of my tiny apartment, to say there is nothing sexier than a man who loves his child … nothing.
I settle into my favorite chair and pull up online clips from Bronx Parker’s playing days. Unsurprisingly, there are still multiple fan sites dedicated to the sexy center. No one could anticipate Bronx Parker’s sidestep or his Hail Mary cut-out pass. No other center could tackle like a forward or run at the forward line without fear.
Most people thought he was crazy to walk away from his playing days to take on a coaching career. He still had a few good years playing at the elite level.
I scroll until finding the interview I think embodies his character.
“Won’t you miss the adrenaline and comradery of playing?” Graeme Masters asked on behalf of Rugby League World .
“My daughter is about to start school. I want to be there at drop off and pick up. I want to take her to dance or drama classes, to throw or kick a ball, and help with homework. I want to be an active father and I’ll be better able to do that as a coach. I love the game of rugby league and I think I have a few tricks to show the next generation of players.”
I’d forgotten the intensity of his emotion when he talked of his daughter.
I’d fangirled over the player long before I left high school, and fallen in love with the father who set aside his career for his daughter during my college years. Seeing him in person as Charlotte’s father, I don’t know how I’m going to keep a professional distance from either of them.