Page 85 of Draft Pick
I smile to myself but stop short, realizing what she said. “He’s doing what? I’m sorry, did you say Dad is clearing out the garage?”
“That would be correct.”
“We have a garage, too!” Addie shouts, and I love how animated she is, dying to be a part of every conversation. Definitely six going on sixteen.
“And when you sayclearingit out…what do you mean?” I don’t want to get overly eager only to have misunderstood.
“He’s getting rid of shit, Juniper. Are you happy?”
She’s laughing about it, and I don’t have the mental capacity to request she not curse around Addie like that. Not when my father is clearing out his clutter in an attempt to minimize and let go.
They’re making steps. Baby steps.
“Yes,” I answer with beaming pride. “I’m…I’m so glad to hear that, Mom. You have no idea.”
“Oh, I do, honey. Trust me, I do. Just know we’re trying. Queen Adeline of Emerald City, it was wonderful meeting you. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
“Oh, I won’t!” Addie perks up. “You should come to my daddy’s game sometime! That would be so much fun! I can introduce you to Lenny the Lightning Bolt. Oh, and Sergio. And Uncle Gus and King Size!”
Mom laughs, a solemn look on her face. I can tell she doesn’t want to dim her spark by declining. “Maybe someday. You girls enjoy the rest of your night.”
“You, too, Mom. Tell Dad I love him.”
She nods and blows me a kiss. “I will. Oh, and Juniper?”
“Hmm?”
Her eyes dart to Addie, who’s now jumping from couch cushion to couch cushion. “Whoever this man is…don’t let him go. That little girl adores you. Must be something special.”
“I don’t plan to. Love you, Mom.”
“And I love you.” And she hangs up the phone.
26
CREW
“Briggs, look at this.”
I’m steps away from entering the team bus when Gus holds up a picture of Addie and Apollo. “Why does that not surprise me at all?”
“The boy is down bad. And he hasn’t even hit puberty yet. I don’t know what that says about me and my future as his father, but fuck, dude.”
I chuckle. “Easy. I’ll tell you…Tenley birthed another you, my brother. Good luck with that.”
I’m not sure how it happened, but Addie got Apollo to come to her six-year-old little girl’s book club. Now, that’s comical.
The picture says it all—he was bribed and likely hypnotized by my daughter’s convincing skills and cuteness. She knows how to make anyone and everyone bend to her will. Kindly, but strategically, even for her age.
Apollo is seated on a blue school chair next to Addie, along with five other girls from Addie’s grade, sharing and talking about their book of the month. Apollo looks fucking clueless as to what’s even happening, eyes only on my little girl.
I’m in deep shit with those two when they’re older. I love Apollo like my own, but if he’s anything like his father, I’m toast, and one trip closer to a jail cell.
“I blame my son-of-a-bitch father for that one,” Gus snarls comically as I follow behind him onto the bus. I’m glad he can laugh about it now.
“He really was a piece of shit.”
“The absolute worst.” It takes me a second to realize that wasn’t August’s voice. It wasn’t anyone on my team, either. There’s no gravel or grit to it…only a feminine softness I can’t mistake.
