Page 29 of Personal Foul

Fuck. This kid is trying to tear at my heart today.

“I’m ready,” Nick calls, grabbing my attention.

I toss the ball to him, watching as he misses it the first time. He makes a frustrated noise, picking the ball up to toss it back.

“It’s okay. Your eyes need to follow the ball. You don’t want to reach out and grab the ball. You want it to go towards your chest so you can use your body to help control the ball. Try again.”

It takes a couple of tries, but the smile on Nick’s face is worth the patience when he finally catches it.

“Excellent job, bud. You’re a natural.”

He beams at me, tossing the ball back.

We toss the ball back and forth for a while. Something about playing catch with Nick just feels right. The kid has me wrapped around his finger, just like his mother, and they have no idea.

* * *

I walk in,locking the door behind me and toss my keys on the entry table. I walk into the kitchen and rest my hands on the counter.

“What a day.” I sigh.

My tablet and phone start ringing. I look at the tablet on my counter and see my parents want to video call. I swipe right and sit down. “Hola.” I look at both my parents sitting side by side.

“How are you,hijo?” Mother asks.

“I’m good,madre. How are you and Papa?”

“We are good, we had a good evening with thefamilia. You should have been here,” Madre scolds.

“Lia, we’ve talked about this,” Papa reminds her. “It’s season. He’s where he should be.”

“If only he played the right football,” she mutters.

“Yes, so we’ve heard a thousand times.” Father rolls his eyes with a small smile on his face. “How’s the new team, son? You like everyone?”

“It’s good. Everyone is awesome.”

“Are you keeping your nose clean?”

“My nose has always been clean, Papa, it was my liver that liked to get me into trouble,” I tease.

“Not funny, Garrett.”

“Sorry, Papa.”

“Have you met a woman yet?” Madre asks hopefully.

“Would I make a good dad?” I blurt out.

Madre gasps and Father curses under his breath.

“Please tell me you didn’t knock anyone up. Condoms. Condoms, Garrett, it’s not that hard!” Papa pleads.

“Sex before marriage is a sin,hijo!” Mother hisses while doing signs of the cross.

“Guys, calm down,” I beg. Once they both do, I start over. “I knew Reagan back in college. We recently reconnected. Long story short, she’s raising her cousin.”

“That poornino.” Madre covers her heart with her hand.

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