Page 80 of Worth the Risk

HUDSON

Igrin when I see my son standing at my office door. One of the coordinators is standing at a distance to give us a bit of privacy, but not venturing far because I only get a few moments with Drew. In principle, players and staff don’t see family or friends before a game, as I want the team focused. But it’s still two hours until game time and my son is the exception. He is a calming necessity.

Holding out an arm, I give him a side hug. He has never been one for hugs, but I can tell it’s growing on him, as his smile can’t be hidden.

“I’m happy you’re here.”

Drew seems to brush it off. “A free ticket is a free ticket,” he jokes.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I wave him off. “Sorry Lucy couldn’t come.” She wanted to help one of her brothers with the kids while her sister-in-law visits her parents.

“It’s fine. Plus, I kind of assumed Piper would be here, so I won’t be alone.” He takes a seat on one the chairs while I perch at the edge of my desk.

Piper. The woman who drives me crazy and makes me constantly wonder if my love for her is infatuation in overdrive. But the truth is, I get the best of both—lust mixed with love. There is no doubt that I want her in my future because she is all I see when I think about it. Which makes her proclamation that she might not come to an important part of my career a bigger blow. It’s a letdown to say the least.

I scratch my chin and wonder what to say without painting Piper in a bad light. “I’m not sure she’ll be here.”

“It’s a big home game.” He looks at me oddly.

I can only nod, roll my lips in, and say nothing.

“I don’t particularly want to get into my dad’s romantic life, but since it seems to be weighing on your mind, all okay with you two kids?”

My eyes give him a warning, because I think he may still have doubts about Piper. “She isn’t feeling so great,” I lie. Now my son returns the look that I gave him less than ten seconds ago. “Okay, I don’t think she’s coming.”

Drew’s eyes grow big, and he slides his thumb along his jaw. “So, there is a little trouble in paradise,” he states more than asks.

“I wouldn’t say that. I think Piper just needs to wrap her head around a few things. What, I’m not entirely sure, but she’ll figure it out.”

“It may not bode well for you.” He highlights that fact.

I sigh and play with a pen that’s lying on the desk. “Can’t think about that now, it’s game day.”

“Ah yes, your brain compartmentalizes, an Arrows gene. Sometimes you forget that not everyone thinks the same way.”

“Oh boy, my son showed up a wiseass today.” A cheeky grin forms on my mouth.

“What?” He seems offended yet smirks. “Some people think in boxes, others don’t. But that’s not even the problem. You have zero patience. It’s all or nothing, and because you have no patience, you try and get what you want at record speed.”

I hold a finger up. “Wait a second. Are you trying to make an excuse for Piper? Are you on her team?”

He tilts his head to the side. “Anybody who sits through a dinner after what went down in your kitchen when I walked in gets a point from me. If she hesitates now with your relationship but figures out that you’re for her, then I get where she might be coming from because we both know that you already have it in your head what kind of ring you might buy her. But if she can’t figure it out or hesitates too much, then yeah, I think you should walk away.”

I stand when I see one of the coordinators hold up his wrist to indicate time, but a hint of a smile doesn’t fade from my lips. Not because of Piper, hell no, her not coming to the game would be a letdown and the mere thought has me wanting to throw a tantrum. My smile is for my son who just turned the table on me because a year ago I was dishing out romantic advice to him and now he’s returning the favor… because he cares.

Drew stands, and I pat his shoulder. “I hear you, okay? You’re going to stay at my place in the city tonight or drive back?”

“Not sure, depends if you guys lose or not.”

“There is only one option for my guys.” I’m a little cocky. “Go steal some food from the press box before you head to your seat,” I remind him.

“Ah, you remember the only reason why I came,” he jokes.

I shake my head and guide him to the hall by the shoulder. “Get out of here, kid.”

Pausing for a second as I watch him walk off, I think about Piper and what Drew said. A twinge of understanding hits me, but not for long, as I need to focus on the upcoming game.

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