Page 436 of Ruthless Court

I push the plate away.

“She said I'd be the present under the tree he'd always wanted.”

Mom winces.

“And she's probably right.”

“Yeah.”

“She isn't ashamed of you.”

“No.”

“I didn't think she was.”

“She just wants one Christmas where he asks about her classes instead of my assist numbers.”

Dad puts his cup down.

“So make sure that's what happens.”

I look at him.

“How?”

He shrugs like it's obvious.

“You go meet the man.”

I laugh.

“That is literally the opposite of what she asked me to do.”

“No. She asked you not to show up at Christmas and let basketball swallow her family again.”

“That sounds a lot like don't come.”

“Then don't show up as the basketball player.”

I stare at him.

Dad leans forward.

“Go to his gym.”

“What?”

“Man to man.”

Mom is already smiling.

I point at both of them.

“This feels like a trap.”

Dad ignores me.

“You go to his gym. You tell him you're in love with his daughter. You tell him why.”