Page 95 of Lucky 22

“Does it? It’s just as easy for you to take three days offas it is for me. And at least if you come here, I know we’ll both beable to relax and enjoy ourselves.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” All amusement fades, and hefrowns.

“It means…”

Dare I say it?

“It means I understand why we’re staying with your parents.I understand that we both agreed to wait to buy a home until we know where yourcareer will land. And I also know that we are trying to be financiallyresponsible. However…” I pause and hope I’m not about to start a huge fight.“Things are extremely awkward in your parents’ home. I mean, your mother is sowonderful and welcoming, and you know I adore her, but I feel like I’m alwaysbeing watched and judged by your dad. And to be honest, I’m tired of it. I’vebeen nothing but nice and appreciative to him, yet he finds fault witheverything I do.”

He laughs again. “Is that all? Ella Rose, I told you, that’sthe way he is. You can’t take it personally.”

“But I do!” My frustration is bubbling over now. “Maybeyou’re used to it, Christian, but I’m not. That’s not the way my dad talks tome. Not now, not ever. I get that it’s his way, but I don’t have to like it.”

“Okay, but…”

“I adore your mother and your siblings, and I can deal withyour dad, too, but living with him is a whole different ballgame.”

No response.

“Look, the last thing I want to do is fight over this. Butwould it really be awful if, this once, you came here?”

“This once? Ella Rose, I’ve traveled to see you asmuch as you’ve traveled to see me.”

That’s not really true, but I’m not going there.

“And I’m asking you to do this for me this time, okay? I’mso happy about this role and all the possibilities, and I want to celebrate.However, if I fly to Florida, we’ll be surrounded by people, and I cannot riskviolating my NDA in any way. Plus, I really need some time with just you and mewithout your dad listening to my every step…literally my every step.”

He’s quiet, but not for long.

“I guess so.”

“Thank you.”

I’m not sure what to say next because I don’t want to be allgiddy and start making plans for the weekend, but I also don’t want to randomlychange the subject.

But that’s what I do.

“How was physical therapy today?”

“You know, the usual. My body isn’t exactly doing what I wantit to do, but it’s also not freaking the therapists out, so I’m taking that asa good sign.”

“Well…okay. Sure. I guess that could be a good sign. Haveyou talked to the team doctors? Is there anything more you should be doing?”

“They aren’t going to tell me anything the therapistshaven’t already. I played hard last season, and it takes time to heal. But notthe type of healing that requires me to sit at home wrapped in bubble wrap.”

“No one said bubble wrap…”

But I’ve certainly thought about it a time or two.

“You know what I’m saying. You’re worried, and I understandthat. But at the end of the day, you need to trust me. I’ve been an athlete forpractically my entire life. By the time spring training starts, I’ll be ready.”

It’s not that I don’t want to believe him, but I’m not sureI do.

“Maybe you can reach out to some of your old trainers fromthe Magic while you’re here?”

“That’s not allowed, Ella Rose”

“Okay,” I say, somewhat defeated because I thought it was agood idea.