7. Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
Andre
Rylee and I fall into an easy routine. Summer is here, and we keep ourselves busy by going to the park, having picnics, and swimming.
It’s hard to believe she’ll be starting school in less than two months and that her mother isn’t here to see it.
I only hope that I will be enough for her in all the ways she needs during this huge change.
I try not to worry about it too much because Victoria would hate that. She wouldn’t want me moping and miserable, but I can’t help that I miss her and the way our life was when she was around.
Yes, I’ve been a father for five years, ever since Rylee was born, but my job had me away a lot. I don’t know what it’s like to raise a kid full time, and I’m only just learning what it means—since we moved into our home, because before that, I had my parents to help me.
My parents come by a few nights a week to have dinner with us and they have sleepovers with Rylee every Friday night. My mother and her watch “girl” movies together and do “girl” things like their nails and hair.
It’s sweet.
I hate that Rylee’s mother is gone, but I’m glad that she’s building a relationship with her grandmother, something she didn’t have before because we lived across the country.
Now we’re here and life is different. Rylee seems to be adjusting just fine.
She gets sad, like I do, but for the most part, she’s doing all right.
I’m getting ready to drop her off at my parents’ house, since it’s Friday.
Tonight, they’re going to work on Rylee’s braiding technique and paint their nails pink with little suns on them for summertime.
My mother also promised to bring her shopping in the morning for some new summer dresses before they go out for lunch.
Every Friday since this has been going on, I’ve spent it alone, just trying to catch my breath for a minute.
Tonight, though, I made plans with Paul because I need to get out of the house, and I can’t remember the last time the two of us did something that was just the two of us.
I’m going stir-crazy, and it’s about time I make a decision about my job. I need to tell them I’m quitting.
After Victoria’s death, I took an immediate leave with no return date. They’ve started to nag me for an answer, and I keep saying I need more time. But that’ll only get me so far. If I tell them I need to quit, it may look better for me later on—if I ever decide to go back.
Coaching wasn’t what I wanted to do for my adult career—I wanted to play. It’s what I’ve done since I was little. But it didn’t work out that way, and I don’t hate my job.
I just can’t do it right now. I need something more low-key. Something easier. Something closer. This is my home now. I’m Rylee’s sole provider, and I need to stay right here.
Which is why when I saw an open position at the high school for a football coach, I applied.
I go for an interview on Monday, and though I can’t be sure I’ll get it, I am pretty sure I’ll get it.
A lot comes with my name. I’ve coached an NFL team for three years and assisted for four years before that.
I’m young for a coach, and that’s what made me popular.
It also helped that my team has done great the entire time, getting better with each year.
I’ve built a name for myself, and right now…
I’ll use it to get what I need because it’s going to benefit my daughter.
Maybe they’ll think I’m over-qualified, which of course I am. But they may also want the fame of having an NFL coach for their school. It could do good things for the team. They aren’t doing the worst, but they could improve in a lot of areas.
It’s the same team I played for in high school, and I can’t say that isn’t a little exciting to think about. But I’ll worry about that stuff later. Tonight, I’m having fun.
“Daddy, are you ready to go?” Rylee calls out as she walks down the stairs with her backpack on her back.
She’s in a dark purple and white striped dress, her white sunhat and huge yellow sunglasses.
I can’t help but smile—especially because she’s wearing her little heels.
Of course she is. She’s such a little girls’ girl. Just like her mother.
“In about two minutes, pumpkin,” I tell her before heading into the bathroom to brush my teeth and check my hair.
Ten minutes later, we’re at my parents’. My father is out with his buddies, having a poker night, which is what he typically does on a Friday night. He’ll come home later a little tipsy and smelling like cigar smoke. He’s been doing this since I was a kid.
“Grandma!” Rylee calls out as she runs up the steps and leaps at my mother. I stay by the car, laughing.
“Have fun, girls!” I call out.
“We will,” my mother says.
“Love you, Daddy!”
“Love you too, pumpkin.”
They go inside, closing the door, and I get into my car and head to the bar where I’m going to meet Paul. I really need a drink.
“So, how does it feel to be out without your kid?” Paul teases, bringing the beer bottle to his lips.
“Weird,” I respond. “It’s been a while.”
He nods, setting down his beer. “When Amelia and I first split, it was weird as hell spending so much time without Maddox, but you get used to it. I mean, you never stop thinking about them or worrying about them, but you definitely get used to not having kids around. And then… you take advantage of it.”
I huff a laugh, picking up a buffalo chicken tender and dipping it into the blue cheese.
“I’ve spent plenty of time without Rylee, but it was normal then, and I was always so busy. You’d think I’ve never been away from her at all with the way I feel right now.”
“You’re protective of her. Makes sense after everything that’s happened, plus you’re her father and that’s what we do.”
I am so grateful to have a friend like Paul.
Yes, we have the other guys too, but they don’t have kids. They don’t understand all of this. They’re wrapped up in their own shit, which is fine. Good for them. They’re happy. It’s just nice that Paul and I are so close—both as friends and physically because if it weren’t for him, I’d have no one.
And not for nothing, but Maddox is older. He has a little more experience than me.
Kind of.
Girls are a whole different breed, I hear. Rylee is already a handful, but in a different way.
I get attitude and sass while Paul gets broken bones.
I think I’ll take the sass.
“How’s Maddox?” I ask.
“Tired of the cast and can’t wait for it to come off.”
“Think he learned his lesson?”He barks out a laugh. “Not a chance. Kid’s a daredevil and he doesn’t listen.”
“Dangerous mix.”
“No shit.”
“Can I get you guys anything else?” the waitress asks as she comes up to the table.
“Another beer. You?” Paul says.
“Definitely.”
She nods and takes off, bringing our beers back a few moments later.
Paul and I stay until close. We split the bill without question. Everything is just so easy all the time with him. Like we don’t even have to talk. We just act. We just know. It’s a relief. Every time I’m with him, I don’t feel like I have to be on. I can do what I need to do and be done with it.
“So, going home to an empty house,” Paul says as we get to our cars.
“Most parents would enjoy it,” I say. “You good to drive?”
“Yeah, I didn’t even drink that much. You?”
“Had the same as you.”
“Yeah, but you’re a lightweight.” He gives me a small shove and we both laugh.
“Next time we should just drink at my house then. I have a nice patio with a heated pool and—”
“Yeah, yeah. Stop showing off.”
“I’m just saying you should reap the benefits of having a rich best friend.” I wink, giving him a playful shove back.
Paul smiles. I smile. We stare at each other, and I’m unable to pull away. Something about this moment, right here outside of this bar, under the clear sky on a warm summer night, everything just feels so… good. Calm. Like everything in the world is okay.
“Next week, then. It’s a date.”
I smirk. “It’s a date.”