Page 91 of Can't Kiss the Chef

Everything just clicked today and it was another easy win and set the tone for the night. Oliver played absolutely amazing. We don’t know how long Eric will be out for yet, but Oliver definitely made a case for them sharing starts if he continues to play like that while Eric recovers.

The lobby is nearly empty after my post-game press conference; only my teammates and their families are left mulling around. Lola’s parents have Oliver wrapped in a hug. Oliver drags Lola in and even though she tries to protest, she is wearing a smile that takes up her entire face.

I’m glued to the Adams’ family embrace when I’m pulled into one myself. After the initial shock wears off I look down at my mom.

“It was a good weekend for you to come.”

“You played amazing. But what were you eating on the bench?”

Oliver looks over his shoulder and we both fall into a fit of laughter.

“You played well today, Byron,” my dad says with a shaky voice. He stays a step away from me, like he feels like he’s intruding on something.

“If your coach didn’t bench you, I think you had a real shot of beating your career high for points in a game you had last season.”

“Against Vermont,” we say that at the same time.

I look at my dad and I mean really look at him for the first time. Has he been following my career this whole time? But if that’s true then why didn’t he come around more?

“I watched every one of your games going back to high school.” His voice is meek. He keeps his eyes cast down as he continues. “I thought about trying to reach out so many times, but I was a coward and was scared of your and your mom’s rejection,” he says, running his hand up and down his arm.

“I wish it didn’t take your mom finding me sick in the hospital for me to come around again. I never stopped loving you Byron. I hope we can make the most of the time we have together now.”

That last sentence shakes me to my core. How much time do we have left? Does he know something I don’t? I do know that I don’t want to regret not spending time with him. I’m sure it’s going to be weird at times, but he is looking for a door into my life. I am just now realizing that I don’t want to be the lock keeping it closed.

“We are having a party at my house tonight. It’s Lola’s birthday today and mine is tomorrow. Do you and Mom want to come to the party?”

“Party?” my mom asks. She’s been pretending like she hasn’t been listening to our conversation, but I know my mother better than that.

“Yeah, do you want to come tonight?”

Mom gives Dad these big doe eyes. One simple look and she is puddy in his hands.

“We’ll come.”

35

Byron

“Lola I need to eat I’m fucking hungry.”

“If you sit up straight and let me finish your hair, I’ll let you eat.”

Let me eat?Who does she think she is?

Lola’s body deflates. I grab her hand and pull her into my lap.

“It’s your birthday. You should be enjoying your day.”

“It’s been a good day but you invited your parents tonight and what if they don’t like me?”

“Why wouldn’t they like you?”

Her hand is nervously picking at the hem of my t-shirt that she stole once we got back together. I take her hands and bring it to my lips.

“Most parents take one look at my tattoos and dark eyeliner and boom their impression of me is that I’m a bad influence on their child.”

The words come out quiet and muffled but every single one hits my chest like a bullet.

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