Page 26 of Never Say Never

“Maybe I will after I say hello to my girl,” he says, opening his arms wide to Daisy. For a second, I wonder what it would feel like to have a father who’s proud of me, but I quickly push the thought away. I accepted a long time ago that my dad is who he is. Wishing he would change is just a waste of time.

“I’m glad you made it for dinner, honey.” Dad says to Daisy. “Your aunt said you weren’t feeling well.”

My eyes catch Daisy’s with a knowing smirk, and her cheeks pinken. “I had a headache, but I’m feeling much better.”

“I’m glad. Now, maybe you can talk your friend here into getting a proper haircut? There’s a girl at the club I would like to introduce him to, but he needs to clean himself up first.”

I can tell he has more to say, but Daisy interrupts him.

“It’s the style, Uncle Mark. It looks nice. We’ll leave you two to whatever it was you were talking about,” she flashes both of our fathers an easy smile. “Tuck, you were going to show me that photo on your phone.” She tilts her head toward the living room, and we make our exit before either of our dads can argue.

I’m not surprised by my father’s feeble matchmaking attempts. At 26 years old, my parents want me to settle down and get married and have a slew of babies. They have prospects all lined up—girls at the country club, or the daughters of my dad’s golfing buddies. I’m pretty sure my dad is only interested in having grandchildren as a way to further secure his legacy.

Daisy and I walk past the kitchen to the spacious living room. A massive crystal chandelier hangs from the vaulted ceiling, and a baby grand piano sits in the corner of the room. Glass doors open to the expansive backyard and pool, the scent of freshly cut grass wafting into the large space.

“Thought I’d better get you out of there,” Daisy teases. “I was worried you were about to tell your dad what bridge he could jump off.”

“I wasthisclose,” I answer, holding my thumb and index finger an inch apart. “I don’t know why he gives a shit about my hair. Add it to the list of disappointments, I guess. He’s such a controlling asshole.”

“You know he’s wrong about you,” she says quietly. “You’re doing incredible things with that team. You’re amazing at what you do.”

I was so happy when I saw Daisy in the stands at Friday’s game. I’m not sure she knows how much her support means to me.

If anyone understands the toll that my father’s criticism has taken on me over the years, it’s Daisy. I’ve developed a few different coping mechanisms, self-deprecation being a big one.

“Yeah, I am a fucking phenomenal coach, but I’d definitely make the world’s shittiest accountant. I guess us athletes aren’t always the sharpest tools,” I say with a wink.

Daisy frowns, shaking her head. “Don’t do that. I hate it when you do that. You could do anything you want and be successful at it, Tuck. But coaching is your passion, and you’re lucky you discovered that early on.” She pauses. “And for the record, your hair suits you. I like it.”

“Are you flirting with me, Dais?”

“No.”

“Come on, just admit it… you think I’m hot.”

I’m grinning, but part of me wants—no, needs—to hear her say it. Daisy just rolls her eyes. “What is wrong with you? I thought agreeing to your friends-with-bennys pact would make you stop pestering me.”

“Well, you thought wrong.”

I glue my eyes to hers with a smirk before leaning into her, my mouth inches from her ear. “We’re leaving immediately after dessert, Dais. We’re making our pact official tonight, before you can back out on me.”

“What makes you think I’m going to back out?” she replies. “You should know me by now. It’s been… what… 26 years?”

“Careful, or I’ll drag you upstairs with me right now.” She cocks her head to the side, levelling me with a look that seems like a challenge. “I swear to god, babe, I’ll do it and after I’m done with you, you’ll be begging me for more tonight.”

Just then, the front door swings open and my sister Addy hurries into the living room looking frazzled.

“Hey, so sorry I’m late.” She’s dressed in all black, with large gold hoops and her curly hair pulled back in a ponytail. “I had to drive Jonathan to the airport.”

Jonathan is in tech sales and often travels for work. It’s a crazy schedule, but Addy seems to have gotten used to it in the two years since they tied the knot.

“What did I miss?” She slips an arm around my waist and gives me a quick squeeze as a hello.

“Just dad being an ass.”

Daisy gives me abe-nicelook, but my sister ignores me.

“And you, we need to talk. I heard you went on a date with Dr. Dickens! I want every dirty detail.”

---