Page 105 of The Player's Club

Coach nodded. “She just graduated from college. Summa cum laude. Luckily, she takes after her mother when it comes to brains. She’s moving back to LA to do an internship for the team.”

“Seriously?” Brady said. “For the Blades?”

Elise raised an eyebrow. “You don’t sound pleased. Do you have a problem with that?”

Brady rubbed the back of his neck. “Me? No. No problem. Grace has nothing to do with me.” He looked around the room. “I’m gonna grab another beer. I’ll catch you later.”

Not long after, Mac and I had a moment to chat alone in the kitchen while everyone else was in the living room or outside on the deck. “What was that about?” I asked. “With Brady?”

“What about him?” Mac popped some chips into his mouth.

I put my hands on my hips. “Seriously? He looked like he was going to have a stroke when Coach mentioned Grace was interning at the Blades.”

“I didn’t notice.”

I rolled my eyes. Men never noticed these things. “Brady looked pissed. Or upset, or something. Do they have a history?”

“I have no idea.” At my expression, Mac chuckled. “Babe, I really don’t know. Guys don’t talk about this shit with each other. But”—he ate one more chip and then continued—“if there is something, I’ll find out and tell you as soon as I can, okay, my little gossip-hungry queen?”

I was somewhat appeased. Maybe I’d been imagining things. But now that Mac knew to look out for any information, I knew we’d get to the bottom of whatever this was sooner or later.I guess it was the old reporter in me.

Actually...this would make a great story for a romance novel, player and the coach’s daughter. But only if my hunch was wrong about Brady’s interest in Grace. The last thing I wanted to do was piss off Mac’s best friend and his coach by getting too close to the truth again.

The doorbell rang. Mac and I looked at each other.

“I thought everyone was here?”

He shrugged. “I lost track after the third time the bell rang.”

We went to the door together. To our shock, we opened to find Mac’s parents.

“Dad. Mom,” Mac’s voice was hoarse. “You’re here?”

“Hi, sweetheart.” His mom smiled. “Sorry we’re late.”

Mac’s father had his arms crossed over his chest, and based on his expression, he didn’t seem too pleased to be here.

“I didn’t think you were coming,” Mac said.

“You invited us,” Bob scowled. “It wasn’t like you gave your mother a choice.”

Judy elbowed her husband. “We’re delighted to be here. And we also came to say something. Didn’t we, Bob?”

Mac and his father stared at each other. I could feel the tension hovering around all of us. Eventually, Bob sighed and uncrossed his arms. As if it weren’t shocking enough that the man gave in first, Mac’s father reached out and pulled his son into a bear hug.

I could tell Mac didn’t know how to react. Judy had tears in her eyes. When Mac finally relaxed and hugged him back, I was relieved. Maybe this is the real start of a new beginning, I thought.

The two men pulled away, but Bob still had his hand on Mac’s shoulder. “I saw your interview,” Bob explained, glancing at me. “I was impressed, son. I realized that life is too short to stay away from family. I knew I couldn’t refuse your invitation to come. I’m just sorry we’re late.”

Mac swallowed. “Dad . . .”

His father held up a hand. “I’ll never totally understand your lifestyle, and I’ll always pray for you. But you’re my son, and I just want you to be happy.” Bob wiped his eyes and stepped back a little. “You know that, right?”

“I know that now.” Mac pulled me toward him, and I hugged him close. “Elodie is the one who gave me the courage to be my authentic self, though. She was also the one who wanted me to invite you guys today.”

Judy smiled at me. “Then she’s clearly a good influence on you. Family is everything.”

Bob stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Thank you for loving our son.”

---