Page 81 of Playoff

“He’s on the mend,” I say. “Still not sure if he’s going to retire or not, but I’m good either way.”

“You’re doing great things, honey,” he says. “Your mom would be so proud of you.”

I think of my mom a lot, and I hope he’s right.

“I miss her,” I say.

“Me too.” He sighs. “Anyway, I’m just glad I could fly out.”

“I wish you’d given me a little warning.”

“I didn’t know if I would have the time off and then I just booked the flight. If it’s too much of an inconvenience for me to stay with you, I’m happy to get a hotel or?—”

“No, it’s fine,” I say quickly. “I just don’t know how much time I’ll have for us to hang out. I work every day, even when we don’t have games.”

“That’s all right. I can find ways to amuse myself.”

I laugh.

Last time he came to town when I was working, he wound up meeting a bunch of guys at a bar on the beach and got so sunburned I almost had to take him to the hospital.

“Sunscreen is your friend!” I say, laughing.

“I promise.”

“How’s things at home?” I ask. “Have you met any interesting ladies?”

“Nooo.” He draws out the word like it’s offensive. “You know me better than that.”

“Mom’s been gone nine years,” I tell him. “You’re only in your mid-fifties. You shouldn’t spend the next twenty or thirty years alone.”

“I already had the great love of my life. I’m okay with being alone.”

“Being okay with it doesn’t mean it’s healthy.”

“Maybe not, but I’m fine. What about you? You’re a beautiful young woman—are you dating?”

Uh oh.

This is always dangerous territory.

Especially since I don’t want to tell him about Blake and me.

He was furious about what happened between us.

He’s definitely not going to be happy to hear we’ve rekindled the romance.

“Is there a man in your life?” he asks, suddenly intrigued.

I sigh. “If I tell you, you have to promise not to get mad.”

There’s a long, awkward silence as he ruminates that.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Rowan. Please don’t tell me you’re back with the Rourke boy.”

I grimace.

Yup, he’s still mad about it.

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