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Ellery can’t know my doubts because this is an opportunity she shouldn’t pass up.
We’re on our way home now, and she didn’t really give her father an answer. I think maybe Ryan Wallace should’ve talked to his wife first before he decided to spring the news on everyone.
“So?” I ask Ellery since she’s been staring out the window the entire ride home.
“I’m not sure what to do. I mean, Dr. Murphy gives me shit all the time about me working under my dad, would the staff in New York even like me knowing I got the job from my daddy?”
I reach over and grab her hand, my thumb gliding over her pointer finger. “It’s not like you’re not deserving. And no matter what, people will claim favoritism if you work with your dad regardless of what your role is.”
“I just didn’t see this coming. I get that my dad wants to move up, and I’m guessing Mercy dragged their feet too long, and now he’s gone in search of something else because of his ridiculous timeline.”
“Timeline?”
“My dad has age markers of where he wants to be at certain ages. He’s about to be fifty-five, and he wants to be the chief of medicine for a hospital. So…”
It’s so different from how I think. I go season by season. How hurt and banged up am I when the season ends? Do I think I can handle another one? Can I still perform my best? And when it’s over, I’m going to miss it like crazy, but I hope to have a family waiting for me, and then I’ll get to be part of my kids’ lives as they grow up.
“He really is a go-getter,” I say because I’m not sure what else to say.
I don’t want to voice the thought that I think her dad could be making this move to get her away from me. He sees me as some shiny object that pulls her focus away from her career.
“Am I stupid for considering it?” She has a worried expression on her face.
“No, it’s an amazing opportunity.” I want to throw up.
“And what about us?” she asks.
“I only play for half the year, and I can live in New York the other half of the time. We’ll have to try to make it work when I’m in season.” I hold myself back from speaking my biggest worry—what if we forget what it is about the other person that we can’t live without?
“True. We couldn’t ask for you to have a more flexible job to make it work.”
Jesus, why am I convincing her?
Because maybe she’ll miss me when she’s gone and want all those things I want, like marriage and kids, sooner?
Because I’ll be able to focus on my own game and achieve that third championship win and hopefully MVP? If I did both those things, I’d seriously consider retiring and moving to New York with her. But do I want that? I’m not sure.
“Can I even handle the responsibility?” She groans, turning to me and snuggling up to my side.
“You can do anything. You’re an intelligent, amazing woman.” Which is true. I’ve never met anyone like Elle who can adapt to different situations so well. She’ll learn the ropes and do well, and people will love her. Sure, she’ll run into some Dr. Murphy’s along the way, but she has to get over that.
“You’re saying that because you love me.”
“The fact that I love you goes without saying.”
She looks up at me. “I’m really thinking about it.” She cringes as if she’s scared, which I’m sure she is.
“Good.” I glance out the window so she can’t see through me. But as always, I’m too transparent to her.
“Coop?” She straddles my lap and uses her hands to direct my face forward. “Talk to me.”
I place my hands on her hips just as we hit a pothole, saving her head from hitting the top of the car. “It’s just the usual insecurities that I’m not going to give any attention to. If you want to go, you go. We’ll figure out the rest.”
“Are you sure?” Her gaze roams my face.
This is the time if I’m going to be honest, but if I go with honesty, I’ll mess this up between us. She deserves to have it all, no matter how it affects me. I refuse to hold her back. “Definitely. Take the job.”
She squeals and leans down to kiss me. “I’m going to sleep on it tonight, but I think I’m going to. Think of how much fun we’ll have going around New York, finding great restaurants, Broadway, and all the excitement. We’ll have so much fun when you visit.” She wraps her arms around my neck. “Thank you so much. I love you.”
