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“Do feelings ever make sense?”

“Okay, that’s fair.”

“You’ve also got a lot of years of bullshit behind you,” she went on. “He’s built up a lot of resentment in you. Even if he does a complete one-eighty, you’re not required to drop all that resentment overnight, you know?”

I pushed out a breath. “You’re right. You’re—yeah. That’s definitely it. Maybe I’ll warm up to it when I’ve had a chance to process things. And see if he really means it.”

Lila nodded. “Give yourself time. If he’s actually seen the light and come around, he should probably also apologize to you and accept that you need some time, you know?”

I wanted to laugh. My father? Apologizing for his behavior? That would be the day. But after tonight, hell—stranger things had happened. “I guess we’ll see how it goes.”

She smiled. “That’s about all you can do.”

“Yeah. It is.” I rolled my shoulders, wondering when they’d started getting so tense (as if I didn’t know). “Well, I should probably get some sleep. We’re heading to the airport first thing in the morning.”

“Good idea. But, um… before we go…” Lila flicked her eyes away and chewed her lip.

My heart jumped. “Hmm? What’s up?”

“I, um…” It could’ve just been the light, but I thought some color bloomed in her cheeks as she looked at the camera again. “I was just thinking—do you want to go somewhere after the playoffs are over?”

Another jump in my chest, but this time a much more pleasant one. “Like where?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “A vacation? Maybe someplace with beaches?”

“Ooh, that sounds nice. And it would be great to have some time with just you.”

The blush might’ve been the light, but the obvious relief on her face had to be real. “It would. It’s been—I love watching you play, but it’s been hard, being apart all the time.”

“It has. It won’t be that much longer, though.”

“It better be!” she said. “The team needs to get to the finals!”

I laughed. “Hey, we’re still in the first round. One thing at a time.”

“Pfft. To hell with that. If you win, I’ll still get my name on the Cup, sowin, damn it.”

“Okay, okay!” I said, still laughing. “All right, let me get some sleep. When I get back, we can talk vacation plans.”

Oh, her smile was so pretty. Couldn’t I be home right now?

Unfortunately no, and we ended the call so we could both crash for the night. I got ready for bed, and then I lay there in the darkness, thinking about my calls with my girlfriend and my father. Thinking about the playoffs. The Cup my team and I were pursuing.

I hoped we won for a lot of reasons. Getting Lila’s name on there along with mine? Oh, that was on my list.

And maybe Dad will finally be proud of me.

My mood darkened at that thought. Yes, Dadseemedto be coming around. Heseemedto be changing his attitude about the WHPL. About me.

Maybe with time, I’d finally be as happy about that as I’d always thought I would be.

“Oh my God, I’m wiped.” I leaned into Lila on her couch. “Playoffs are no joke.”

She laughed softly and kissed my temple. “See, that’s my secret—get hurt right before they start so I can just chill while you all do the work.”

I snorted and gave her a playful nudge.

She chuckled again. “Hey, at least you’ve got a few days off.”