AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We haven’t even gone on a date yet.
Do I have the right to wear his jersey?
Is Brady going to be annoyed that I did this without checking with him?
He didn’t give it to me.
Just as I’m spiraling down this path, my Dad yells up the stairs. “Come on, Nattie. We’ve got to get moving. I want to make sure we’re there before kickoff.”
“Coming, Dad.” One last look in the mirror, then I grab my phone and hurry down the steps. My dad is waiting by the door in the kitchen.
“Let’s go, Nattie.”
Heading out the door, I mumble, “I’m coming. I’m coming.”
Just as I get outside, I hear my dad mutter, “What the hell.”
Oops. I didn’t think about what my dad would say when he saw someone else’s name on a jersey I was wearing.
“What the hell are you doing wearing Ryan’s jersey Natalie? Why aren’t you wearing your brother’s jersey?”
“Uhm. I figured the cheerleader that Cooper has been seeing would be wearing his jersey tonight. Thought I’d leave that for her, and I’d wear Brady’s.” I try to end the conversation by opening the door and climbing into Dad’s ridiculously big Ford F-350. Thinking I just got myself out of this, I close the door and click my seatbelt into place.
Dad hops into his seat and closes his door. Looking at me before he starts the car, “Did you think the conversation was over? Is that the only reason you’re wearing this young man’s jersey, Natalie?”
“For now.”
Dad chews on that for a moment then returns his eyes to mine. “I expect to be kept informed if that changes. I trust you and your brother with more freedom than most kids ever get a taste of before college. Please do not make me regret it.”
“Okay.”
“I need to make sure you understand me. I am not ready to be a grandfather yet.”
Oh, God. Cringing, I can’t even look at my father right now. “Please, stop. I promise you that we do not need to be having this conversation. I’m just wearing a jersey.”
“A boy’s jersey that does not belong to either of your brothers. I’ve spent my life around football players, Natalie. Don’t act like I don’t have a right to have this discussion with you. I had this conversation with both of your brothers long before their senior year and trusted your mother to have them with you, but she’s not here, and I am. You are a beautiful young woman. Just be smart because the decisions that you make now affect the rest of your life.”
“Mom has had me on the shot since I was fourteen.”
“Dear God, Natalie Grace. Some things a father doesn’t want to know.”
“Then, don’t ask.” If I could throw myself out of this truck without dying right now, I would. This is the most awkward conversation that my father and I have ever had. Pretty sure neither of us will be able to look at each other when it’s over.
“Natalie, I need you to know that you can come to me with anything. Part of that is treating you respectfully, like the young adult you are. You may be eighteen years old, but you are still my baby girl. I trust you. Just don’t ruin that.”
“I won’t, Dad.”
“I mean it. I know that I leave the two of you alone in the house all of the time. I’m not going to tell you both not to have people over. I try to be a realistic parent. Just promise me that you will be smart about it.”
“I promise, Dad.”
As we pull up to the school’s football field, I can say with absolute certainty that I have never been so grateful to be able to get the hell out of the car before.
Dad and I walk in through the gates together. I hear people murmuring all around us. Everyone knew that the new Kings coach had a son in this school. It’s been announced on the news and discussed on ESPN.
We hear a few,Hey, Coach Good luck this weekend,and even more,We gonna beat Boston this weekend, right Coach?When you win, they love you, when you lose the first game of the season, not so much.
Dad goes to the same spot I have seen him stand, no matter what field we were at, during every single one of both of my brother’s games throughout the years. He likes to be behind the end zone, by the goal post, right up at the fence. He always has.
