Page 161 of Made Better Together

“Before?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Dad.”

His face cycles through a series of emotions—the livid set of his eyes turns to confusion, and then hurt.

“I just…don’t get it. Your mom and I, we’ve always tried so hard to be a safe space for you. Now you’ve kept this a secret for two months? It’s so out of character for you.”

“We wanted to see…if what we felt was real. And…” I debate whether to mention the Milo issue that made Connor want to stay quiet.

“And? No more secrets, Eden.”

“As long as Connor had his offer at Milo’s firm, if he went back to SLP after the season, he was prohibited from dating me as a client. There’s a no fraternization rule.”

Fury paints Dad’s face again. He looks like his ears are steaming.

“I see what happened here. I need to talk to Connor.”

Wait. “Dad, what do you mean you ‘see what happened here’?”

“He’s the reason you’ve had to sneak around. He…caused all of this.”

Okay, not loving the lack of respect for my autonomy. “Don’t put this all on him. I’m an adult too. We’re basically the same age.”

He grinds his teeth, fighting whatever he wants to say.

“Just because you don’t agree with my choices—and I’m not saying they’re all good ones—doesn’t make them any less mine.”

“Mmmmm,” he growls out, but I can see him processing my words.

“You and Mom have always let me make the final decisions about my life…and I’m sorry this one was not one you approve of. I understand why. I do.”

His expression incrementally relaxes as he hears my genuine contrition.

“Connor’s worth it. It’s been…amazing.”

“Amazing?” His voice is loaded with disbelief.

“Yes. He’s…good for me. To me.”

He scans my face for a moment before finally speaking. “Alright, alright. I’m going to need a minute to sit with this, though.”

“I understand, Dad. Completely. I’m sorry that I…made a mess.”

“I won’t say I’m not still angry. You’re allowed to make mistakes, though. What twenty-one-year-old hasn’t?”

I don’t like the implication that dating Connor is a mistake, but maybe he’s referring to the secrets and lies.

When I don’t respond, he looks at me with determined eyes. “I’m going to talk to Connor still. I need to.”

What can I say to that? He’s his coach, after all.

“Okay. Be nice.”

“Hmmm.”

TEN MINUTES LATER

EDEN: I just left Dad’s. He didn’t take it too well.