Page 123 of Playing to Win
Pretending not to care about him is becoming harder and harder.
“Good,” Dad says, nodding his approval.
I wish I could tell him Ace is the reason we’re safe. Ace is the reason for a lot of things in my life, all of them positive and wonderful. But I have to keep my relationship with him quiet for only a few more months.
Months.That sounds impossible, but we can do it. I know we can.
My parents came to visit me for the weekend and they’re going to a football game because as Dad says, he wants to see me in action. It’s my turn to be on the sidelines to get footage.
Really? I think my dad just wants to watch the team play. I know he’s excited for me and is proud of me, but I also know where his true love lies.
With my mom and football.
“Are you excited for today?” Mom asks. They arrived last night and I picked them up from the airport. We went to one of their favorite restaurants for dinner and then we hung out at their hotel for a little bit before I headed home. Now they’re picking me up before we go to the game.
“I’m a little nervous,” I admit. “I’ve never been alone on the sidelines before, filming content.”
The last time it was my turn, they allowed two people from the social media team to be down there and I went with Eric. Now I’m on my own.
“You’re going to do great,” Mom says firmly as she wanders into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator. I want to roll my eyes because I know she’s checking on what we’ve got inside, which isn’t much. “Are you eating okay, honey?”
See? “Nothing but junk food and Taco Bell runs,” I tell her.
She shuts the fridge and turns to look at me. “Please tell me you’re at least drinking plenty of water.”
I point at my water bottle sitting on the kitchen table. “I pee day and night.”
“TMI,” Dad teases. He likes using acronyms. Says it keeps him feeling young.
“I just worry about you,” Mom says, her voice full of concern. “Just because you don’t live with us anymore doesn’t mean I don’t want to take care of you.”
“Aw, Mom.” I go to her and wrap her up in a big hug. “You have Dad to take care of, and he needs as much help as he can get.”
“I resent that,” he mutters, making us laugh.
“He doesn’t let me fuss over him much,” she admits, squeezing me. “Though neither do any of my children.”
I pull out of her embrace and smile at her. “I’m eating okay. I promise it’s not always Taco Bell.”
“At least have a taco from there,” she says. “They have lettuce.”
Rolling my eyes, I show them the rest of the apartment before we end up back in the living room.
“What time do you have to be at the stadium again?” Dad asks once he’s settled on the couch.
“Soon.” I pluck my phone from the back pocket of my jeans and check the time, surprised to see I have a text notification from Ace.
Acey Baby:Miss you. Good luck today.
I’m smiling, just staring at my screen when Dad says, “Who’s the text from?”
I jerk my head up, my smile fading. My brain scrambling. “A friend.”
His phone rings and he checks it, holding it up to show my brother’s name flashing on the screen. “I’m going to take this.”
Before we can respond, he’s already on his feet and out the door, standing on my front balcony and talking to Knox.
I send a quick text to Ace.
