Page 101 of Just One Season
Sigh. Good start.
Richard makes an unimpressedmmmsound. “Well, whenyou’re done playing around over there, your job, and your whole life, is waiting for you in D.C.”
What the hell does that mean?
But I know, of course.
Golden boy Ron is probably in Richard’s ear, telling my father how he’s asked me to come back, and I’ve said no.
“Dad.” I attempt to infuse a warning tone to my voice. “I quit DC FC. And I’m not coming back.”
The server returns with a bread basket.
“Listen, Lucy. I know things got rough with you and Ron?—”
“Got rough?” I can’t help but scoff at my ex’s name. I take another gulp of wine.
“—but surely that’s not a real reason to give up a great job? A solid future with DC FC? A wedding to?—”
“I’m done at DC FC.” I cut him off. I don’t want to hear about a wedding to Ron. “I love working at the Blizzard.” I grab a piece of warm bread and shove it in my mouth. It’s too hot, and I almost spit it out but suffer through the burning as punishment for going through with this dinner.
“So you’re not applying for that England job anymore?” Richard’s voice is calm and collected. He never freaks out. Never raises his voice. He’s perfectly logical, like some kind of AI robot.
“Of course I am.” Crumbs literally fall out of my mouth.
Kellen huffs a quiet laugh and slides my water closer to me. I take a sip so I can speak with dignity again, then chase the water with wine.
“I’m absolutely applying for the Winchester FC job,” I say when my mouth is empty. “I had a video interview yesterday. I’m not staying in Fort Collins.”
There’s marked silence. Kellen places a hand on my thigh. Everyone at the table watches the motion.
“Lucy and I are really happy together,” Kellen says.
Atticus downs his wine and waves at the server for anotherbottle. I would enjoy reminding my brother about his game tomorrow, but I’d never do that in front of our father.
“You just heard her, she’s not staying,” Richard snaps at Kellen, who doesn’t react.
I practically gasp, but my breath and my words get stuck in my throat. Kellen’s mouth narrows into a thin line.
My father turns to me. “I’d heard all about you and the hockey player from Paul. He called me a few weeks ago.”
Wow. Our plan worked for me too. Just as we hoped.
“Everything doesn’t have to be forever, Richard.” Kellen says, as if my father is engaging in a conversation instead of ignoring him.
Kellen’s words linger in the air, then settle down onto my heart in a heavy way.
“And with love, it often is not.” My dad agrees, not looking at Kellen.
I don’t think that’s what Kellen meant. He didn’t mean get married four times and continue to trade your wives for younger models. I wonder how long he and Carrie will last. It’s about time for the next divorce.
Ugh, I hate that my father makes me think that way.
Kellen subtly squeezes my thigh. Is he doing it for show? Reassuring me that things won’t end? Or maybe that it’s okay that they will. I slowly twist my wine glass on the white tablecloth.
Either way, I love the weight of his hand on me.
I lovehim.
