Page 6 of Home Field Advantage
“I’m being so serious. Do you guys want to see it?”
Mitch nods. “Duh. Don’t leave us hanging here.”
Reaching for the side pocket of my jeans, I pull out my phone, open the saved website on my browser, and tilt it to face the guys. Tyler reaches over and swipes to see more.
“That’s it?” Tyler raises an eyebrow. “Coach, there’s one picture on that site.”
“Off the map is what I need. I spoke with a woman named Nan?—”
“I’m sorry…what?” Tyler asks, shocked.
“I know. I thought it was strange, too. It’s even listed on the website asNan.”
“I don’t think I like this anymore,” Mitch adds.
“I was nervous, too, but Nan made me feel a little more at ease, ensuring everything would be set up in my rental before I arrived. And…I’m going to have Sage with me.”
Both of their eyes widen simultaneously.
After sitting with my thoughts for as long as I did, I ended up going back up to April’s apartment after Sage went to bed to figure out how this would work for the three of us. Sage was the most essential factor in the plans. April spent years with me putting my job first, so now it’s her turn for a big opportunity while I take the necessary break that has been given to me.
After hours of discussion, we came to the conclusion that I’ll take Sage full-time instead of having her every other weekend, as per our current agreement.
“We were both concerned with the school situation. Once I stumbled on the website, I got the phone number for the school in town. Which took forever, might I add, because this website has next to nothing on it.”
“You could say that again,” Tyler scoffs.
“After hearing about what they have to offer compared to her current school, it was an easy decision for us after that.”
“Are you concerned with her switching in the middle of the school year, or the short time that you’re going to be there?” Mitch asks.
“I was, but we talked to Sage about it, and strangely enough, she’s so happy about the adventure. Besides, this move is only a six-month contract.”
“And how do you feel about it?” Mitch raises an eyebrow.
I shrug. “You know how I am. I roll with the punches and figure it out as I go. I’ll adjust.”
“I think this will be good for you two,” Tyler says.
“I’ve spent far too long not putting Sage first. I missed out on so much. I missed my chance at being a good dad,” I continue before they press the issue. “I’m choosing to believe this is all a sign from some upper universe that I’m getting a second chance at it.”
Emotions sit thick in my throat, so I avert my gaze from my best friends. I land on a family sitting in a booth near us. A mother, father, and daughter about the same age as Sage sit there, smiling, happy, and laughing. The dad has two French fries tucked into his upper lip and makes walrus noises while his daughter laughs so hard that tears spill out of the corners of her eyes. The mother stares at them with a wide grin that reaches her eyes.
That right there is a family.
That’swhat a good dad is.
I can’t remember a single time when my family looked like that.
“Youarea good dad,” Tyler says, shaking his head. “That little girl loves you.”
“For once, I agree with him,” Mitch chimes in, tipping his head in agreement. “What will you do when you come back? You’ll still coach, right?”
His question forces my gaze away from the family moment I invaded. “Clark told me not to make any decisions until closer to the season starting.”
Tyler brings his hand to his chest and gasps. “You? Making rash decisions? Blasphemy.”
I smile while Mitch and Tyler both start laughing.
