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“They’re not coming out?” I ask. Even after a bad game, my dad usually still goes out with the team.
“Nah. Hollis has a headache, and Roman offered to be on watch tonight, so they skipped.”
“Was it that bad?”
“He was quiet in the locker room, but your dad probably knows what’s what,” Tristan offers.
“Okay. Thanks for the update.” I don’t want to overreact, but Hollis is good at pushing through pain. That he went straight home makes me question whether he’s hurt worse than he’s letting on.
“You girls need anything?” Tristan thumbs over his shoulder. “I’m gonna see if I can prevent Flip from making choices that will kill his endorsement campaigns.”
“I appreciate you, Tristan,” Hemi says. “I’ve got more than enough to manage without Flip adding fires to put out.”
“Remember you said that when you need someone to dress up like a clown.” He kisses Rix on the cheek and joins Flip and Dallas.
Rix sighs. “At least he’s not out trying to conquer the world with his dick tonight.”
“Why is he usually such a fuckboy?” I ask.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” she says. “We have great parents, and our childhood was stable. He had a girlfriend through most of high school, but after he made the pros…” She shakes her head. “I don’t know what he’s been trying to prove, but it sure isn’t great for whoever ends up with his heart. When he finally falls ass over head in love, he’ll have to deal with the fallout of years of gratuitous, meaningless sex. I get the sense that it’s less about him loving it and more that he’s literally drowning himself in other people. We’ve both started therapy, but I don’t want to bring it up with him. We’re all on our own journeys, you know?”
“Hmm, that’s an interesting theory,” Hemi muses.
Tally pokes at the ice in her drink, looking sad.
My phone finally buzzes with a message from my dad.
Dado
Sorry, just saw this now. Hollis and I are unwinding, and I’m on concussion watch. So far he seems okay, but he’s got one hell of a headache.
Aurora
Is it just a concussion?
Dado
Fingers crossed, but we’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow.
Aurora
What time is practice in the morning?
Dado
Not until nine.
I have an early-morning class. I want to talk to my dad before he goes to bed.
Aurora
Heading home now. Can I come up and see you before you go to bed?
Dado
Of course.
Aurora
