Page 47 of Well Played

Hours after Lloyd McMillanannounced the Southern Mavericks will join the national rugby league competition and appear at the season launch in Vegas, I sit in his office in front of Danielle Stone. Of all the journalists who we could have called on for this interview, Danielle is the only one I trust and it’s not a coincidence her media outlet chose this scoop over buying Sloan’s story. Lloyd’s lawyers will clear the final version and the interview will go out as a puff piece associated with the launch. I’m not getting paid, and I’m not going to slander anyone.

Charlotte and Willow.I’m doing this for them. Three days without Willow is a lifetime too long.

“Are you ready, Mr. Parker?” Danielle asks as one assistant adjusts lighting and another our microphones.

“Let’s do this.”

“Hours ago, you signed a three-year contract to be head coach of the Southern Mavericks,” she starts as the cameras begin to roll. “After over twelve months sitting on the sidelines, how do you feel?”

“With all due respect to other parents out there—I feel like we’ve just given birth to a three-tonne baby.”

Danielle laughs and I start to relax. “Seriously, having Benz as Chief Operating Officer is a coup. He knows the game inside and out and while I was changing diapers, he was getting his Masters in business administration with majors in sports admin and marketing.” I mentally tick off one of my talking points. “It means a lot to the players that the man in the office is one of them, understands them, and has their back.”

“What about you? Did you think about getting on the field instead of shouting from the sidelines?”

“All the reasons I retired are still valid. I can be a better father when I’m not playing. Now that my ex-wife and I share custody, our daughter is my priority. I know my first coaching gig ended earlier than I would have liked, but when Lloyd McMillan reached out to me, I jumped at the chance to build something from the ground up.”

“Not every player has a chance to stay involved in the game after their playing days are over.”

“Which is why we are building a new culture here at the Mavericks. Each player will have a non-rugby league mentor. We’ll encourage them to continue to balance playing with studies or training. At the very least, they should be better equipped to manage their money and understand their investments.”

“Using Benz Christianson as a role model?”

“I can’t think of a better example. Last year he was on the field, and now he’s COO. Look at the first batch of players who signed with us today. Cooper Bradley and Dawson Briggs have the experience we can build a team around. We have the right attitude and will buy the right talent to build a strong foundation for the Mavericks.”

“With you gently guiding them?”

I laugh and shake my head. “I doubt there will be anything gentle about my coaching. Most people will say we are trying to do the impossible. But we have the right owner, the right governance, and the right people in place to make this happen.”

“And you’re one of the right people?” Danielle opens the door and I know this is when things will get serious. She was given a list of proposed questions which will create the narrative we want without making it look contrived.

“Absolutely. I have three priorities in my life. Being the best father I can be to my daughter, being the best partner to the woman I love, and to bring out the best in the Mavericks on and off the field.”

“I understand your ex-wife has re-partnered. Was that difficult, especially with other news?”

I take a moment to think through the words. Once said, they can’t be taken back. “I didn’t expect the separation. I didn’t expect her to move on. But that was over a year ago, and they are happy together—and Sloan is happier now than she ever was with me. That was hard to accept in the beginning, but I’d rather our daughter be raised in a happy home than one without love.”

“And the other news?”

“The only thing that matters is that my daughter is being raised by parents and step-parents who love her, and put her needs first. The rest we can deal with as we go. As most separated and divorced parents would agree—her emotional and physical safety comes first. Us adults can sort our shit out later.”

Danielle laughs, and it’s almost over. Have I said enough to save my relationship with Charlotte? I hope so. At the very least, I’ve given Sloan something to think about—does she want to be the mother dragging her daughter through the tabloids and mud? I don’t think she does. And in time, I might even reconsider on the birth certificate—if it’s something Charlotte wants.

“You saidstep-parents, and earlier talked about a partner. I hate to be the one breaking the hearts of single women everywhere, but do I understand correctly? Are you in love? Is there about to be a new Mrs. Parker?”

“Did you just marry me off?” I ask with a chuckle. “No wonder you keep winning journalism awards. What a way to get a scoop.”

“Answer the question, Bronx,” Danielle banters back. “Is there a special someone, or should we open the lines for women to stake their claim?”

“I’m in love with an incredible woman.” I allow the love I feel for Willow to flow through my veins and hope if she is watching, she’ll believe. “I’m not about to employ a skywriter or anything, but we started off as friends, and it went from there.”

“Does she have a name?”

“I’m sure you and your viewers will understand that introducing a new partner to children has to be handled with care. My ex-wife and her partner are coming to terms with it. Then, I’ll introduce her to my daughter. Then, and only if the lovely lady in question agrees, I’ll be honored to introduce her to the world.”

“As long as I get the scoop?”

“I wouldn’t trust my happy news to anyone else.”

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