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“Yeah, Daddy! That’d be so fun!”
Did I purposely say it in front of Theo, knowing he’d be game? Maybe.
Violet looks from me to Theo, seeming surprised but not put off. “Where’s your next away game?
“Where he said.” I nod in the direction the guy just went. “Los Angeles.”
She bites her bottom lip, and it takes everything in me not to reach for her and drag her into my chest, take her bottom lip with my teeth and tug to free it.
“Okay, that would be fun.” Her eyes sparkle with what I think is desire.
“It’s definitely going to be fun,” I promise.
“Yay!” Theo shouts before jumping off the swing when it’s at its highest point.
“Oh my god.” Violet’s hands fly up to her mouth.
I laugh. “It’s all right. He does it all the time.”
Her hand goes to her chest. “Not with me he doesn’t.” She quickly walks to him, but Theo races back to the play structure.
“Guess you bring out his wild side,” she says as we follow him.
“He’s not the only one.” I bump her hip with mine and she laughs.
In this moment, I could listen to that sound forever and die a happy man.
Twenty
Violet
“Ipromise I’ll come by next week.”
My mother sighs into the phone, then continues the conversation in Korean about how I never make time for her or my father and how I have to make a greater effort. Then she tells me that my brother is thinking of proposing to his longtime girlfriend.
She sounds positively giddy about this development and it makes me realize once again that she never sounds this way when talking about anything to do with my life.
“That’s great. I’ll be sure to call him and wish him luck.” Maybe. “I really have to go though, Mom. We just arrived at the hotel in Los Angeles.”
“My friend has a son. He’s a surgeon. How about I set you up with him?”
I guffaw. This is a new low for my mom. “No, Umma, I’ll find my own man, but thanks.”
We say goodbye and I hang up, shoving my phone into my purse, then stare at the swanky hotel we’re going to be staying in. I’ve never stayed anywhere this nice before and probably won’t ever again.
“You ready, Theo?”
He nods enthusiastically and we head inside, the suitcase carrying both our things trailing behind.
Brady and the rest of his teammates went straight to the stadium for practice when we landed, and Theo and I took an Uber to the hotel. Brady will meet us here for dinner. We plan to have our meals brought up into the room and watch a movie Theo’s been begging to watch.
In the meantime, Theo and I are going to explore the hotel and the surrounding neighborhood, and I promised him we’d go for a swim in the hotel pool. When we looked it up online, we saw that there’s a rooftop pool. Apparently, there’s nothing more fun than staying in a hotel for a kid. Even for a kid like Theo, who lives in a mini-mansion.
I check us in and leave a key for Brady with the front desk, then Theo and I head up to check out the room. When I push open the door, Theo rushes in ahead of me, and I have to hold in a gasp. It’s exquisite.
The large combination living/dining room is surrounded by windows and even has a fireplace separating the spaces. To the right, I spot a doorway that leads to one bedroom, and on the other side of the spacious room are two more doors I imagine lead to the other two bedrooms in the suite. When I roll the suitcase in and let the door close behind me, I see a hallway near one of the bedroom doors that leads to a small kitchenette and powder room.
Everything is decorated in chic California designs with lots of creams, beiges, and light grays. It’s spectacular and the nicest place I’ve ever stayed.
