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While my father has always been protective, as I’ve gotten older, he’s allowed me the freedom to make my own decisions. Just like he allows me to feel the full weight of the consequences from those choices. He’s never been one to swoop in without allowing me to first work out the problems for myself.
“It’s complicated.” That seems like the easiest response.
“Hmmm,” she says with a nod. “Relationships can be challenging.”
“Yeah.”
“But sometimes we make them unnecessarily difficult when they don’t have to be.”
I shake my head, wishing that were the case. “No, this one is definitely sticky. As much as I wish it didn’t have to be, there isn’t a way around it. At least for the time being. I don’t know…maybe in the future, that’ll change.”
“Well, that’s a shame.”
“It is. I really liked him,” I admit. None of the guys I’ve dated in the past have affected me this way. They never came close to making my heart pound or my panties dampen the way Mason did.
“Perhaps the situation is worth revisiting to see if it can be salvaged.” She allows those words to sink in before adding, “Relationships aren’t easy, but finding someone you get along with and feel connected to is rare. And it shouldn’t be discarded simply because it takes work.”
My teeth sink into my lower lip before chewing on it. “I don’t know.”
Mason has suffered enough heartache and pain. The last thing I want to do is inflict more damage.
It’s so tempting to come clean. To get everything out in the open and see what her reaction is. It’s highly doubtful she’d be doling out encouraging advice if she knew the truth.
But being honest would put Mason at risk, and I’m unwilling to do that.
Mason
“The team’s really shaping up,” Coach says, standing next to me on the sidelines with a clipboard in hand. “Moving Erickson to the O line was the right decision.”
I nod in agreement. “He’s comfortable there and will make more of an impact.”
“Yup.” He yanks off his ballcap before wiping the sweat from his brow. “It’s hot as Hades out here.”
I glance at the cloudless sky. He’s not joking. Even though it’s the middle of September, temperatures are still hovering in the eighties. On the turf, it feels even hotter. Some of these boys aren’t from the South. They’re not used to this kind of heat and humidity.
“I have to say that you joining the program midway through the summer has gone smoother than expected.”
“It’s been a great experience so far,” I tell him.
“How are your classes? I know you were worried about them giving you trouble. Is that still a concern?”
“Nope, they’re going well.” Which is a surprise. I fully expected to crash and burn. “There was a bit of a learning curve in the beginning but I’m getting the hang of it.”
He nods, looking pleased with the admission. “I knew you would. In a couple years, you’ll have a degree to hang on the wall.”
It’s definitely one of the perks to working at the university.
When I remain silent, he adds, “And the guys have really taken to you.”
“They’re a good bunch.” For the most part. There are always a couple boneheads who need a little extra guidance, but that goes with the territory. Just the other week, a freshman player was picked up by campus police at two o’clock in the morning for underage intoxication. On top of the ticket, he’s now benched for three weeks and needs to complete a mandatory substance abuse program with the university.
“Is there anything on your mind that you’d like to discuss?”
I glance at him, surprised by the question. “Nope.” In fact, this coaching gig couldn’t be going any better.
Shifting his stance, he continues to stare at the players scrimmaging on the field. “Denison,” he barks, “where the hell are you supposed to be?”
The kid freezes.
