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“Is it really, Dad? Is it surprising I might be upset that you’re trying to trade the man I love to another team?”
“I wouldn’t know anything about that. Our season has barely ended. None of those decisions have been discussed yet.”
“Well, it seems as though your ship isn’t as tight as you think, because Darius heard from a very credible source that you’re actively seeking a trade for him.”
“Who told him?” he asks, no longer denying it.
“He didn’t say, but he’s very disappointed you’d do this to him.”
“I do what’s right for the team.”
“You’re right, the team has always come first with you. Even before your family. But in this case I have to disagree with you. There’s no universe where trading Darius is a move that betters the team. I think what you meant to say is it’s better for you.”
“Now you’re an authority on hockey?” he scoffs.
“As soon as you found out about Darius and me being in a relationship I knew it would become a problem. I knew you wouldn’t let it go. And when Darius didn’t bow down and end things with me like you wanted him to, you couldn’t stand it. I bet it drove you crazy to see him at every practice and every game, knowing he wasn’t afraid to go against your wishes.”
“My players are supposed to listen to me. They get paid millions of dollars to listen to me.”
“Yeah, about the game, not their personal lives.”
“Sometimes they bleed into each other.”
“In his case that didn’t happen. Statistically this was his best season yet. That doesn’t sound like someone whose game is on a downward slide.”
“There’s more to it than just his game.” He tries to justify it.
“Like what?” I challenge.
“There are things I can’t talk about.”
“Dad, I’m calling bullshit. You’re a bully who can’t stand when you don't get your way.”
“Don’t talk to me like that. I’m still your father.” His tone deepens like I’m a little kid who’s scared of getting punished.
“What kind of father wants to separate his daughter from the man she’s in love with? Darius is the nicest man I’ve ever met. He’s loyal, responsible, and he loves Tillie and me. And more importantly, she loves him.”
“Kids believe what their parents tell them,” he says.
He’s going to keep feeding me his nonsense. It’s time to up the stakes.
“If you trade Darius, you can kiss your relationship withTillieandmegoodbye. I’m not letting her around someone who doesn’t have her best interests at heart.”
“You’re going to keep me from seeing my granddaughter?” He raises his voice.
“That’s the first thing I’ll do. The second thing I’ll do is make the rounds on all the sports shows and reveal the lengths my dad will go to if one of his players disagrees with him.”
“You wouldn’t,” he says.
“Try me, Dad. I’m not losing Darius. I don’t care what I have to do to make things work with him. He and I will figure something out. But keep in mind, if you push his trade through, you’re losing more than the best winger in the league. I know family has never been at the top of your priorities, but I also know you love Tillie. I wonder what Mom will think when I explain you’re the reason why she doesn’t get to see her granddaughter.”
He crosses his arms. “You don’t have it in you to follow through on your threat.”
“Do I look like I’m kidding, Dad? Look into my eyes and see how serious I am. Stop fucking with Darius’s career and you and I will be fine.” I shrug. “Or don’t. It’s your choice.”
* * *
Ryan’s outside with Tillie when I get home. I follow the sounds of her laughter to the backyard where I find them playing soccer.
