Page 56 of Stick Side
Her dad’s expression was curious but guarded. “And how did it go?”
Melody groaned inwardly. She and her dad were close, but this wasn’t a conversation she wanted to be having with him. Some conversations were just not meant to be had between a parent and child. And her scorching lust for Benjamin Logan, intermixed with her inability to fully read him, fell into that category if any topic did.
“It was nice,” she evaded, biting down on her lower lip, the better not to overshare.
Her father reached for his coffee and took a measured sip. “So, I won’t have to console one of my star players over a broken heart?” he teased from behind his cup.
Her brow furrowed. “No,” she answered with hesitation, a little surprised by his comment.
Unease churned in her gut. She’d been so wrapped up in Ben and the way he made her feel like a woman coming to life that she hadn’t thought to consider how this situation might affect her dad. How was she only now realizing he might experience some backlash from her dating one of his players?
While this wasn’t a conversation Melody wished to continue, she had to ask, “Are you okay with me seeing Ben? Would it affect your job?”
Considering her dad and Ben had a professional relationship that couldn’t be easily severed, she felt she owed him the opportunity to throw in his two cents.
Her dad put down his coffee cup and shifted his body to face her more fully. “You’re a grown woman, Melody. It’s true that there could be some fallout as a result of you getting involved with one of my players, but let me ask you this: Do you like him?”
“I do,” she admitted, the answer rolling off her lips with ease. She didn’t like the way she felt tied up in knots wondering where his head was at, but there was no doubting her own feelings. She liked him. A lot.
A warm smile settled over her father’s features. “Looking at you now, I can tell that you do.”
“So, you’re really okay with my dating Ben?” she sought to confirm. “It wouldn’t pose too many problems?”
A pit formed in her stomach. Now that she’d considered the matter, she felt certain getting involved with one of her dad’s players was guaranteed to cause at least a few issues. The big question was whether the problems were inconsequential, insurmountable, or somewhere in between.
Her father repositioned his glasses on the bridge of his nose. “We can’t help who we’re attracted to, honey. You can’t help that Logan plays for the Challengers any more than he can help the fact you’re my daughter.”
“I guess not,” she conceded. “However, why do I feel like I’m hearing a ‘but’?” Melody held her breath and waited for her father to continue speaking.
“I think he’s one of the good ones, honey,” her father answered. “But even good guys slip up.” Her father ran an agitated hand through his thinning salt-and-pepper hair. “I’ve done my best to shield you from the less pleasant aspects, but you know this industry,” he said with a sigh. “Between the travel, the time away from their families, and the temptation constantly thrown their way, fidelity is a rare thing among professional athletes—even the good guys.”
Her stomach roiled. She and Ben had only been out together once and she’d already seen him get hit on—and while he was on an obvious date with her no less. Had that been a one-off or was that something she would have to get used to if they were going to continue seeing each other? Would other women hit on him even if they knew he was involved with someone else? And would Ben continue to turn them down?
“I know you don’t want to hear this,” her dad continued, interrupting her thoughts, “and I’m sorry to be the one to have to tell you, but if you choose to date Logan, it won’t be easy. All it takes is one bad game, a losing streak, or the right temptation at the right time. The guys get lonely and in their heads and their moral compass goes wandering.”
Melody felt queasy. Her dad’s words confirmed that her concerns were legitimate.
Unbidden, her mind pulled up the memory of the fan mail Eric had received just the other week. Did Ben receive sexy pictures and lingerie, too? Eric had predicted he would, if he didn’t already. A dry lump formed in her throat at the thought, and the subconscious act of swallowing saliva suddenly took effort.
“Are you telling me you think Ben would cheat on me?” she asked, her voice hitching as she spoke.
Her father frowned. “The truth is, I don’t know him well enough to say for sure.” He sighed heavily. “I’ve seen the odd saint among players—and Benjamin Logan has a decent shot of being one, in my opinion—but it isn’t the norm,” he acknowledged. “Most players—and we are talking about the decent guys here—screw up at least a few times and it’s only by the grace of their wives and girlfriends that they’re able to maintain their relationships.” Her dad paused a beat before continuing. “It’s possible to have a good relationship with a professional athlete, but the odds are heavily stacked against it.”He leveled her with a serious look. “And that’s something you would have to be prepared for.”
Melody released a long and gusty breath. “You’ve certainly given me a lot to think about.”
Her dad steepled his fingers together and looked at her thoughtfully. “I’m sorry to have to lay all of that on you, honey.”
“Me, too,” Melody lamented.
Her dad sighed heavily. “Logan’s a good man, Melody. I truly believe that.”
“Are you trying to tell me I should date him or stay away from him?” Melody could have wept. She was already confused enough without throwing this additional tidbit into the mix.
Her dad stared into his café au laitbefore meeting her eyes. “Neither,” he pronounced.
“And to think,” Melody said with cheek, “I was hoping your drink might have offered a more powerful portent than tea leaves.”
Her dad’s lips twisted in wry amusement. “Sorry to disappoint, honey. A fortune teller I am not.”
