Page 150 of Falling Offsides

TWENTY-NINE

COURTNEY

Dad’s deskis a mess of whiteboards stacked with half-erased plays, stat sheets litter his walls with the lines for the upcoming season. Even though it’s chaos, it’s oddly comforting.

It reminds me of the countless hours I spent in his home office as a child. Scribbling my own plays on the few boards he'd clean for me.

Wiping my mouth, I sit back in the leather seat across from him and assess Auguste’s lines: Matheo, Auguste, Erik. That’s the line I’ve watched more of during training camp. It’s the team’s strongest offensive line. Not surprising given how bossy Auguste can be. Or maybe commanding is the better term.

“You okay, honey?” Dad waves his hand in front of my face.

“Yeah, just looking at your line combos.”

He looks back over his shoulder. “I’m thinking about switching Sylkes with Weissmann.”

“Really? Jayden and Eli are…” I mesh my fingers together conveying how tight they are as a pairing.

Dad chuckles, “Sometimes you have to switch things up to keep them fresh. Sylkes is a great thinker. If there’s a hole in the opponents' play, he’ll find it and use it. Great for power plays and turnovers. Weissmann is scrappy. Something we lacked last season on penalty kills.”

“Makes sense, I guess,” I muse as he cleans up the trash from lunch. “But how are Jayden and Eli going to take it? They’re like a married couple on the ice.”

Dad sighs, looking back over his shoulder at the photos of the two defensemen side-by-side. Eli Sylkes was possibly the most awkwardplayer to photograph. I felt like I was torturing him by the time we got the shot PR chose to go with. Even then he looks like he’s about to pull his blond man-bun right out. In complete contrast, Jayden’s smiling like the cat that got the cream. His confidence shines in his hazel eyes.

I’m not a coach, but the two of them have the kind of balance between them that breeds chemistry. It’s palpable when you’re around them, visible when you see them on the ice together.

“So!” Dad claps, bringing my attention back to him. “What are we doing with the few weeks you have left in LA?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure. I’ve got a few tickets to a couple of galleries and museums.” Another sweet gesture from Auguste, but I don’t tell him that. “Aside from that, I’m hoping to enjoy the beach a little, maybe explore a few hiking trails.”

“There’s a great one close to my place. We could do it together, maybe take a picnic. Like we used to do.” he says gently, watching me over his folded hands.

“I’d love that. Although, from what I recall, you did the hiking while I sat on your shoulders. Not sure we could do that.”

“Courtney Eloise Nilsson, are you calling me old?”

“No,” I snicker back.

“Good, cause I could put some of those kids out there to shame with my stamina.” He’s smiling so big that it takes me a moment to catch up to his next remark. “You know, I’ve been talking to your mom about New Orleans…”

Mom?“You’ve been talking to Mom?”

“Of course. I call her every Thursday evening to check in. I’ve done that for years.”

A lump lodges in my throat because I did not know this. Mom never mentioned him calling ever. Until I got my own phone, I practically had to beg her to talk to him when Martin wasn’t there to rush me off the phone. In fact, it makes total sense that they talk on Thursday evenings. It’s the one night of the week Martin goes for work drinks and meets up with his friends.

“It was just to check you were doing okay, if you needed anything…” Dad clears his throat, frowning down at his hands. “I know I wasn’t there physically, but I’ve tried to be present, Courtney.”

“Yeah, I… I know…”

“You do?” Tilting his head he peers up at me while I figure out how to school the anger and disappointment from my expression.

I nod and move the focus from me. “So, you’ve been talking to Mom about New Orleans. What about it?”

Let’s add insult to injury because aside from the fact I had no idea he called weekly, Mom still hasn’t called or messaged me. The radio silence from her is the worst it has ever been. I’m not sure where that leaves us, if I’m honest.

“Well, we mainly discussed your accommodation. She’s as concerned as I am about you being in a part of town that has a significantly high crime rate. Especially with assault involving young women in your age bracket.”

“Dad… daddy…”