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“And you won’t have to.” I get into the right lane to exit the highway toward the Kingsmen’s arena.
“Are you nervous?” Violet asks me.
She’s been quieter around me since our conversation in the kitchen a few days ago, so I welcome her starting a conversation with me now.
“Not really. I don’t much like doing press, but after this many years in the league, I’m used to it.” I shrug and move into the left lane to make a turn at the next intersection.
“I can’t imagine inviting a whole bunch of strangers into my life and them offering their opinions on what I should and shouldn’t do. I can barely handle my parents’ involvement.” She laughs, but there’s a hard edge to it.
I wonder what her family deal is. This isn’t the first time she’s alluded to some disconnect between her and her parents.
We arrive at the stadium a few minutes later, and Theo is bouncing in his seat. He loves being here because my teammates give him tons of attention. I show my badge at the gate and park.
“Someone is excited.” Violet smiles at Theo as he takes her hand and hops out of the SUV on her side.
I exit, lock the vehicle, and go around back to meet them on the passenger side. “Ready?”
“Yeah!” Theo throws his fists in the air and rushes toward the door we always use.
“Hold up, buddy. We’re in a parking lot. You need to watch for cars,” I say.
Violet rushes after him and takes his hand while I trail behind. She bends down and whispers something and he nods, securing his hand in hers. There’s something natural about her care for Theo. I guess that’s why she’s a nanny. I don’t know if she’s like this with all her jobs, but it’s obvious to me that she cares for Theo’s well-being. She’s not just here for the large paycheck.
They wait for me outside the staff entrance, and Theo is explaining something to her as I approach.
“And then the security guard will let us in. Ralph’s cool. He even gives me candy.”
“Sounds like you’ve made a lot of friends around here,” Violet says.
Theo nods excitedly. “I love coming here. Dad, can we throw the ball on the field?”
I walk up behind him and ruffle his hair. “There won’t be any of that today. This won’t be like the other days.” Reaching forward, I hit the buzzer beside the door.
Theo frowns and looks down at his suit. “No monkey business.”
I chuckle. “That’s right, but you only have to hang out for a bit. Then you and Violet can go find something to do until I’m done, okay?” He nods. “And Aunt Bianca and Uncle Evan will be here too.”
“Yay!” He jumps up and down as the door swings open.
Ralph grins at my son. “Hey, little man. How’re you?” He holds up his hand.
Theo jumps to slap it. “Ralph, my aunt and uncle are here today, but Dad said no football.”
Ralph glances at me with a grin and reaches into his pocket. “Well, it can’t always be playtime. But you know what? I think I have something in here for you.” He pulls out one of the Werther’s Original candies he always has in his pocket and holds it out to Theo.
“Thank you!” Theo snatches it from his hand and unwraps it. “Oh.” He looks at Violet and points with his thumb. “This is Violet.” He sucks his candy again.
“She’s Theo’s nanny,” I add.
Ralph nods and smiles at her. “Good to meet you, ma’am.”
“You’re gonna need to cut off the ma’am stuff, Ralph, or we can’t be friends. Violet only, please.”
He chuckles, resting his hands on his protruding belly. “Fair enough.” Ralph gestures with his head behind him. “Rest of your family is already here.”
“Great, thanks.”
We walk all the way through the door. I lead us through the hallways of the stadium until we reach the room my dad told me to meet him in. We open the door and everyone turns in our direction.
