Chapter 24
Dad was cranky from lying on the couch all day, but he was looking better than he had a few days ago.
At least you have more than one couch, I pointed out. You can choose which one to lie on. Some people have to lie on the same one all the time.
He rolled his eyes at me. Having multiple couches doesnt reduce boredom. I should be in the office, working. You wont even let me touch a laptop.
No, I wont, I said unapologetically. Not until the doctor says that its okay. Even then, you should probably wait.
He gave us a scare, I didnt want him rushing back into anything. Until now, I thought he was invincible, that he would be around to annoy me for a long time.
Now, I realised he was human like the rest of us. And I wasnt ready to lose him.
If you were my nurse, Id fire you, he said with a scowl. You have the worst bedside manner.
Youre just cranky because I wont let you binge The Bachelorette. I picked up his empty coffee cup and held it in my hands.
He snorted. Can you blame me? She was just about to make her choice.
I rolled my eyes. You were shouting at the TV.
He nestled down deeper into his pile of questions and grunted. She never should have sent that blonde guy, he waved a hand, what was his name? She shouldnt have sent him home.
I shrugged. Youre way too invested in a bunch of people on a TV show.
Personally, I thought he was right. The blonde guy was cute, and clearly head over heels in love with her.
Ugh, what was I thinking? Maybe I turned the show off because I was getting too involved with it.
Whose fault is that? Dad asked. If youd hand me my laptop, I wouldnt have to watch TV.
I narrowed my eyes at him. Admit it, if I handed you your laptop, youd stream the last episode of that show.
I have much more important things to do than watch that, he argued. The Down Under Bowl is only days away. I should be doing interviews and organising?—
I cut him off. You have a team of assistants to do that. Everything is arranged. The only thing you have to do is wait patiently.
He barked a laugh. Patiently?” he echoed. Have you met me? Or yourself for that matter. We dont do patient.
I noticed, I said dryly. I put the cup down on the kitchen counter and walked back to sit next to him. But you dont want to end up back in hospital, do you?
He sighed with resignation. No I dont. Which is why I need you to take over the Rapids, bet or no bet, win or no win. I need to know theyre in good hands. Then I can rest, like you and Skye keep saying I have to.
You realise thats emotional blackmail, right? I asked. I propped my feet on the coffee table in front of me and raised my eyebrows at him.
He shrugged. Call it what you want. I dont think you dislike the idea as much as you say you do.
I lowered my eyebrows. Thats an interesting theory. What are you basing it on? It sounds like some dubious science to me.
The fact youre dating a player, he said. The fact youve taken on every press conference, photo opportunity, training session, everything, without complaining. Ive even seen you smiling in those photos. He waggled his finger at me. Admit it, youre enjoying it.
I shrugged one shoulder. It hasnt been the worst time in my life. I got to see Ollie every day, and every day we got closer. The more I got to know him, the deeper in love I fell. I never knew I could feel this way about anyone. It was intense. It was wonderful. It was everything.
The doctor thinks the move to Queensland would be good for me, Dad added.
How much did you pay him to say that? I joked.
Trust me, he said dryly, if he could be bought, Id be back at work right now. Some peoples integrity is worth more than a bunch of money, believe it or not.
Huh? How about that, I said sarcastically. I didnt know such people existed.
Im just as surprised about that as you are, Dad said. I suspect Ollie might be one of those.
I didnt even try to hold back a smile. Yes, he is.
So, about the Rapids... Dad looked at me through his eyebrows.
If Im a spoiled brat, I said slowly, its because everything I know, I learned from you.
And you learned well, young apprentice, Dad said with a smile.
I groaned. Have you been getting into the Star Wars movies again?
Can I remind you that you hid the remote? he said. And won’t let me near my laptop?
No, I’m well aware of all of that. I crossed my ankles and my arms.
If I say yes, will this be the last time I hear anything about it? About the Rapids. I wasn’t budging on the laptop.
Of course it will, he agreed. I wont need to ask again, I will have gotten my way. He looked smug.
I snorted. If you werent recovering from a stay in hospital, Id slap you silly right now.
That wouldnt take very long, Im very close to being silly already. He made a funny face.
No shit, I said with a laugh. He was so obviously bored I almost felt sorry for him.
I sighed. Okay, fine. Ill take over the team for you, but on one condition.
He stopped in the middle of fist pumping the air and cocked his head. What is that?
That you actually rest, I said firmly. Think about selling off the business, get a business partner, get someone to manage everything, I dont care what it is. Go to Queensland, lie on the beach, and rest.
He looked thoughtful for a long while. Finally, he said, I was thinking of learning to surf.
That didnt sound very restful to me, but I suspected it was the best I was going to get from him.
Fine. I stuck out my hand to him.
He shook it. How do you feel about taking on the real estate side of things too?
My jaw dropped and I almost snatched my hand back. Like something you knew all along Id prefer. Was that how this went? I only got my way after he got his?
Of course it is, he said. Of course, youd need time, training, support. I can make sure you have all of those things. And Ollie, he wont be playing football forever. Hell need something to do… You know, after.
Im not sure running a billion-dollar company was quite what he had in mind for after. I shrugged. I guess I can talk to him about it.
Dad started laughing. He laughed until tears let down his cheeks.
Whats so funny? I asked.
Its taken years to get you to come around about the Rapids, he said between gales. But you didnt even think twice about the real estate.
I shook my head at him. Its taken this long to realise you wont take no for an answer. I dont want to spend years fighting on this. The truth was, I was actually excited for the challenge. Buying, renovating and selling real estate was much more my thing than football.
He gave me a dubious look.
Besides, when Ollie finishes playing, he can take over the Rapids and Ill manage the rest, I said lightly.
Why am I starting to think you had this in mind all along? he asked.
I smiled. Because I think like you. If theres anything you taught me, its to be two or three steps ahead of anyone else.
Anyone but me. He argued, but his heart wasnt in it.
You taught me too well, oh great master. I bowed from the waist.
The fact was, Id only thought of it as he mentioned the real estate business, but it made sense. Who else would do a better job with a pro football team than a former player? The general consensus was that Hawk would take over as head coach someday. Between the two of them, the Rapids would be unstoppable.
Dad chuckled. It wasnt what I planned, but I think that might work out even better than I imagined. He looked particularly pleased with himself.
All the years youve been badgering me, I said slowly. The solution was in front of your face the entire time. Just pass the team on to a member of the team.
It wouldn’t have been that simple, I knew that, but this was a neat solution. One that would make us both happy. All of us, if Ollie was on board with it.
I didnt know which player youd choose, he said.
Assuming Id choose any of them is presumptuous, I pointed out.
Id call it realistic, he said. They are a fine bunch of young men. You could do a lot worse.
Even Bam? I asked teasingly.
He frowned briefly. You would have whipped him into shape.
Women are not— I started.
Rehab centres for men, he finished for me. I know. Which is why Im glad you chose one that doesnt need rehab.
I sighed happily. He really doesnt, I agreed.
Dad made a pretend gagging sound.
I punched him very gently on the leg. Ive had to listen to this my whole life. About how perfect your current girlfriend is.
Now he sighed happily. I think I finally got that right.
You think? I shook my head at him. Skye was nice enough. We might even be friends someday, but whether or not theyd last forever was anyones guess. I hoped they would. They both deserved to be happy.
Im sure, he said firmly. Im glad you two are getting along now. Especially since…
I frowned. Since what? I assumed he was about to say they were getting married. That wouldnt have surprised me. Dad was in love with the idea of love and marriage.
Were having a baby, he said in a rush.
Youre what? I shook my head. I thought you said?—
I did, he said. Skye and I are having a baby. Theyre due sometime in the summer.
Well, I said slowly. Um, congratulations? I gave him a hug, even though my head was spinning. You really are going to need to rest then. You wont get much after the baby arrives.
My throat was suddenly choked. As absolutely devastated as I would have been to lose my father, if Dad died the other day, this new baby would never have met him. They didnt deserve that.
Thats true, he agreed. Im sure big sister Rubie will be around all the time to babysit. He smiled slyly.
Sister Rubie is going to be very busy, I said. But when I pop over to visit, I might give your nanny a break.
Skye doesnt want a nanny, he said. She wants to do everything herself. He shifted uncomfortably on the couch. That was something I learned while raising you. That kid needs caring adults around. Stable ones. Not ones that are in and out of their life from one day to the next.
You can teach an old dog new tricks, I said.
He chuckled. So it would seem.
Maybe this time youll get the son you always wanted, I said.
He shrugged. As long as theyre happy and healthy. And love football. He gave me a sly smile.
I rolled my eyes. I hope theyre the biggest hockey fan on the face of the planet. But if theyre not, they better love the Rapids. I knew theyd love Ollie, because I certainly did.