45. Eden
EDEN
Ipull up to breakfast at Dad and Tina’s house right before nine. Normally, coaches would be at the facility by now, but apparently they’re starting late today since it’s an off day for the players.
The front door is open, like normal. “Hello!?”
“Hey,” Dad calls from the kitchen. “In here.”
When I walk in, he’s the only one at the kitchen table. “Where’s Tina?”
“She decided to go to a yoga class after dropping Nat at school.” He stands up, and gives me a hug. “She thought it’d be nice for us to have time alone.”
His tone is buoyant—Tina must have lived up to her word not to break the Connor news to him.
“That’s…good,” I say as he releases me.
He gestures for me to sit down at the kitchen table. “You want coffee? Water? Tina also left out these bagels and pastries.”
“Coffee would be nice.”
He walks over to fix me a cup. “You must be on cloud nine after yesterday. I couldn’t believe it when Tina mentioned you were stopping by, to be honest. I’m sure you’re going to be in demand today.”
“Yeah, I have a couple of interviews later. I’m also going to set up a time to talk to Aiden this week, now that I don’t have to worry about keeping any eligibility.”
“Great. He’ll get you the best deal possible. Do you know what teams interest you most?”
“The top teams already have incredible strikers. I might have to go somewhere less competitive, if I want to have a chance to start.”
“It’s always a challenge to be part of a weaker team, but you’re young, and you could grow with the club.” It’s pretty much what he did with the Waves.
Dad’s on a roll, in such a good mood. Dread is inching up my gut as I realize I have to blow it up.
“We’ll see. I’ll need Aiden to do the heavy lifting on those discussions.”
He nods and takes a bite of a blueberry muffin.
“There’s another reason I came here this morning.”
“I thought there might be. What’s up? Something with school?”
I shake my head. “No…I…I mean, school is crazy right now, and I need to lock down on finals and my papers amid all of this other stuff.”
“You’ll get it all done. You always do. So what is it?”
Shoot, this is…not fun. “I—a photo came out after the game.”
His brow wrinkles. “A photo? Of what?”
Rippppp, goes the Band-Aid. “Of Connor and me.”
His eyes narrow. “You and Connor. Why?”
In retrospect, starting the discussion with a kissing photo might not have been the best idea. I jump to the bottom line. A deep breath, and—
“We’re dating. We’re together.”
“WHAT?” It’s a burst of sound, a blend of anger and surprise.
Dad doesn’t get upset easily, and I shrink in my seat. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you, but…” There’s no good way to continue that sentence, so my voice trails off.
“How long?”
“Since October.”
“Since he’s been on the Waves? Since I’ve been coaching him?”
“Since right before.”
“Before?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Dad.”
His face cycles through a series of emotions—the livid set of his eyes turns to confusion, and then hurt.
“I just…don’t get it. Your mom and I, we’ve always tried so hard to be a safe space for you. Now you’ve kept this a secret for two months? It’s so out of character for you.”
“We wanted to see…if what we felt was real. And…” I debate whether to mention the Milo issue that made Connor want to stay quiet.
“And? No more secrets, Eden.”
“As long as Connor had his offer at Milo’s firm, if he went back to SLP after the season, he was prohibited from dating me as a client. There’s a no fraternization rule.”
Fury paints Dad’s face again. He looks like his ears are steaming.
“I see what happened here. I need to talk to Connor.”
Wait. “Dad, what do you mean you ‘see what happened here’?”
“He’s the reason you’ve had to sneak around. He…caused all of this.”
Okay, not loving the lack of respect for my autonomy. “Don’t put this all on him. I’m an adult too. We’re basically the same age.”
He grinds his teeth, fighting whatever he wants to say.
“Just because you don’t agree with my choices—and I’m not saying they’re all good ones—doesn’t make them any less mine.”
“Mmmmm,” he growls out, but I can see him processing my words.
“You and Mom have always let me make the final decisions about my life…and I’m sorry this one was not one you approve of. I understand why. I do.”
His expression incrementally relaxes as he hears my genuine contrition.
“Connor’s worth it. It’s been…amazing.”
“Amazing?” His voice is loaded with disbelief.
“Yes. He’s…good for me. To me.”
He scans my face for a moment before finally speaking. “Alright, alright. I’m going to need a minute to sit with this, though.”
“I understand, Dad. Completely. I’m sorry that I…made a mess.”
“I won’t say I’m not still angry. You’re allowed to make mistakes, though. What twenty-one-year-old hasn’t?”
I don’t like the implication that dating Connor is a mistake, but maybe he’s referring to the secrets and lies.
When I don’t respond, he looks at me with determined eyes. “I’m going to talk to Connor still. I need to.”
What can I say to that? He’s his coach, after all.
“Okay. Be nice.”
“Hmmm.”