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“Teammates? No, I was actually unaware of that one. Guess I should call Hodges back in Indy and apologize for putting it in his sister.”
“Jesus, Asher,” he mutters. “When the fuck were you planning on growing up? Because this is out of control.”
“Actually, my eldest brother, I’m not out of control. For once in my life, I think I might actually beincontrol.”
“By impregnating your coach’s daughter?” he demands.
“Look, it’s not like that, okay? I love her. I want to spend my life with her.”
Silence greets me on the other side, and I let it play out. I wait for him to make the next move.
Predictably, he does. “Dixon was pissed, Asher. How are you going to handle that?”
“As a professional,” I say. “My personal life has nothing to do with the kind of player I am. I’ll remain focused and prioritize the way every guy chained up by a woman and kids on every team does.”
He’s quiet a beat as he considers that. “Well, holy shit. First you handled the twins, and now this? I think…yep, I think my little brother might actually be growing up.” He sniffles in jest, and I can’t help a small laugh.
“Thank you for finally acknowledging it. I mean, youarepushing forty over there.”
“Fuck off with that nonsense. You’re only as old as you feel.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask. “How old do you feel?”
“Fifty,” he deadpans.
I laugh. “Well, old man, I’ll be looking to you for advice with how to do this whole dad thing.”
“You’ve already got the cheesy shirts down, but dad gear really leans more toward Hawaiian than toward random animals and colorful patterns.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say dryly. “Thanks for the first tip.”
“I’ve got another one for you,” he says, and I wait for it. “The first year is all about the mom, and it takes a minute to find your footing. But once you do, Asher, I really believe you’re going to be an incredible dad.”
“Thanks, Linc.”
“Now get some rest and study some tape because Dixon won’t be going light on you tomorrow,” he says.
“Yeah, I had a feeling,” I admit.
We hang up, and then I grab my tablet to study some film like a good, focused player. When I finish that, I start a search for new houses.
Ones with lots of bedrooms and plenty of space to grow.
There might be hurdles in our way, but knowing a life with Desiree is on the other side is enough motivation for me to start leaping over them now so I can leave them in the rearview with our future fully ahead of us.
Chapter 55: Desiree Dixon
Exactly How Drunk is He?
The Vegas Aces win their last home game, and I notice that Asher doesn’t get as much playing time as usual.
It’s common for teams to rest their starters a bit during games that really don’t affect the outcome of the season, but in the back of my mind, I wonder whether my dad is playing Austin Graham over Asher out of anger.
Logically. I know that’s not why, but it still eats at me.
After the game, I don’t hang around the family waiting area for my dadorfor Asher. I don’t want to make things weird when players need to focus on what comes next, and that’s the playoff game in two weeks—not on what may or may not be going on between a player, a coach, and the coach’s daughter.
Instead, my mom and I wait in the car for my dad. Asher calls me as I’m on my way home with my parents.
