Page 24 of Snap

I looked at him over my coffee cup. "Sorry, I had other things to do."

His eyes flashed with anger. "Rubie, we talked about this."

"I know we did, but?—"

"What was so important that you missed another game?" He slammed his mug down on the table. "You know how much this means to me."

"I know," I said slowly. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to tell him. I could try the truth, but then he'd want to meet Ollie and know all about him. The fact Ollie was a Rapids fan may work in his favour.

"Then why?" He scowled at the puddle he'd left on the table. "That was a waste of perfectly good coffee."

"On the upside, you have an excuse to go back to Kona to get some more." I smiled brightly.

"If there was ever a bad time for me to fly off to Hawaii, this would be it. When the Down Under Bowl is over, I might do that."

"Just think," I said, "you can get a break from me as well."

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you're trying to get rid of me." He raised his eyebrows at me.

I raised mine back at him. "Why would I want to do that? It's not like we even see each other, even when I'm living here." This house was so big we could avoid each other for days if we wanted to.

He shifted in his chair. "Actually, that's something I want to talk to you about."

"That sounds ominous." I sipped my coffee and lowered my eyebrows. "You're not going to disinherit me are you?"

"Not exactly," he said.

I placed my cup down on the table and cocked my head at him. "Okay, now you have me worried." I knew he was pissed I missed the game, but cutting me off would be extreme.

He looked down at the table. "I was thinking when the divorce is final, I might move to Queensland full-time."

I blinked at him. "Huh? I thought you just said?—"

"I did just say that," he said. "Once the Rapids win the Down Under Bowl, that will be ticked off my bucket list. After that, it will be time to move on."

"You'll be selling the team," I said hopefully.

"No," he said slowly. "I'm looking for someone to take over."

It took a second for me to grasp his meaning. "And by someone you mean me?" I might need stronger coffee for this conversation. Sometimes I wished I drank alcohol.

"Rubie… If you just try." He had that firm set to his jaw that meant he had made up his mind. Nothing I could say or do would change it. "I expect you to make an effort. If you don't…"

"What?" I asked, genuinely curious. He'd never threatened to throw me out of the family, or actually cut me off, or any of that shit, but that didn't mean he wouldn't. "My trust fund kicks in?—"

He shook his head. "Rubie, this isn't about money."

"Then what is it about?" I asked. "Football? Me being a responsible adult? I can do that, you know."

"I know you can." His voice was terse. "I want you to do this because it's important to me. Isn't that enough?"

I wanted to say no. Not in any universe was his interest in the team enough to make me feel obligated. It shouldn't be.

"At the risk of sounding like a spoiled brat…"

The look on his face was enough to make me stop for a moment. "Is this anything to do with the fact you've never had a son?"

"It's not too late for that to happen," he pointed out.

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