“So…” her dad starts as we’re finishing dinner that evening. “Dani’s obviously not a sports fan. How on earth did you meet?”
“Dad!” Dani protests, but her brothers fill the air with laughter. I fall in right along with them.
“We met here, on Anderson Island.” Not knowing what Dani wants to divulge, I stick with safe topics. Clearly, she’s a private person, and I don’t want to insert my foot into my mouth. Besides, we didn’t meet that long ago, and I don’t want her parents to get the wrong impression. As much as it started out as a potential fling, that’s certainly not how I feel about her now.
“How’d you bump into her?” Her dad chuckles. “She hardly leaves the cabin with a deadline looming.”
“Ha. Ha. Dad. I’ll have you know… I was actually riding my bike when we met.” Her cheeks blush, and everyone at the table knows her tells.
“And…” Davis prompts, knowing there must be more. Her blush is adorable, but she’d be a shit poker player.
Dani rolls her eyes and averts everyone’s gaze. “And I… may have wrecked,” she tacks on quietly at the end.
“Oh. My. God! That is classic Dani,” Damien hoots.
“Seriously?” Derek asks with a bit of concern laced in his voice.
“Wait…” Davis all but shouts to the room. “Don’t tell me… it was like one of your romance novels. Girl sees guy. Girl gets distracted… Girl crashes, and guy comes to the rescue.”
Coming to Dani’s rescue. “Nope. I witnessed the whole thing without her knowing. But…” I wink at Dani before continuing. “There may have been some rescuing involved. Especially where her bike’s concerned. The rim was bent to hell and in desperate need of repair.”
“Were you hurt?” Daisy asks, looking Dani over with care, as only a mother can.
Dani shakes off the attention. “Just a few scrapes.”
“With the season starting, she’s lucky you were here to help her. Do you stay here on the island year-round?” Trent asks casually.
He’s fishing for more than just my schedule. It’s been a long time since I’ve been under the scrutiny of a father, but you don’t forget these things. “Uh… I have a place here and in Tacoma, near the stadium. I try to get out here as often as possible, but it’s usually during the off season.”
“Are you from around here? Originally, I mean?” Daisy asks with curiosity.
“No, ma’am. I’m from Tennessee. I went to college at Stanford and was drafted my senior year.”
“I remember that,” Trent mentions. Then apologetically asks, “How’s the knee?”
Okay, so they really are football fans, if he’s followed my career so close. Good to know. “It’s great, but as you know, not good enough to continue playing.”
“You’ve done well for yourself with Rainier. You’ll be great as the head coach this season. Don’t listen to what those idiotic announcers and analysts say. Keep your focus, and you’ll make us all proud.”
Holy shit. Trent sure has mastered a father pep talk. Damn. The man is good. I haven’t had anyone be as blunt as this, other than Ray Carson himself. I had no idea those would be the words flying from his mouth with the way he started. I know I’m prepared for this job, but it’s nice to have support from others as well. Not knowing what to say, I simply go with, “Thanks.”
As Dani gets up to clear the plates from our meal, I offer to help.
“He does dishes, too?” Daisy asks in mock surprise. “Any way you can coach these guys to do that?” She pointedly looks to each of her sons before continuing, “If you have any advice for getting them to do their laundry while away at school, I’d think you’re a miracle worker. God only knows why they bring home mounds each time they venture home. Don’t you have washers and dryers on campus?” She looks pointedly at each of them, and the table erupts in laughter.
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Sorry. I was likely the same way. But I didn’t live close enough to my mom to take advantage. Airlines only allow so much luggage.”
“The advantages of living near home,” Davis announces.
“Besides, Mom, if we didn’t bring home our laundry, how else would you know we’ve missed you?” Damien teases as he stands to clear his own plate.
“Trust me…” Daisy shakes her head. “I don’t need to know you’ve missed me so much.”
Seeing Dani’s family interact makes me miss my own.
