“I can see that but guess what, I’m giving you a chance to change things. But first, coffee or wine?” She stood near the kitchen, tempted to go and kiss the frown off his forehead but didn’t think he would appreciate it.
“Wine would be nice, thanks.”
Dakota pivoted around and took two wineglasses from the shelf and opened a bottle of red she had stashed in the bottom cupboard. They hadn’t bothered to stop and buy one after all because Adam seemed far too preoccupied to stop. When she walked back into the room, he had a small smile on his face.
“This dog is far too cute for her own good.”
Dakota handed him a glass and agreed. “She does have a knack of tugging at your heart strings.” She sat down near the fireplace, grateful for its warmth. “Right, want to tell me why you’ve been so down lately? Are you worried about your father?”
“He’s doing well, so that’s all good news.”
“That’s great.”
“Sure it is. But it’s not quite that simple. So much going on in my life right at the moment and I know I’m going to sound like a killjoy if I unload it all onto you.” Adam sipped the wine and then leaned forward, putting the glass on the table.
“But I asked you here, remember? I wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t want to know or to help you.”
He stared at her for a moment. When he relaxed back, he started to talk again. “I’ve been tossing around the idea of retiring from soccer. It’s a young man’s game and while I’m not in my dotage yet, another decent injury would see me forced out. I don’t want that but I’m having trouble reconciling that it might be the best thing to do.”
“None of us like to give up something that’s dear to us. I don’t care if you play soccer or sell houses, Adam. We both felt the connection. You can’t deny it.”
“I know you understand but it gets more complicated than that. My father, well my father has a hereditary heart disease. There’s a fifty-fifty chance I have it too.”
No wonder he was a mess. What a horrible thought to live with. Dakota got up and moved over to sit beside him. She looped her arm around his shoulders and kissed his cheek, snuggled into his arms. “I don’t care. We can face anything if we put our minds to it.”
“I have to wait and find out if I have it or not. If I do, it means no more soccer regardless of when I choose to retire. It’s too dangerous.”
“What’s worrying you the most, dropping dead or leaving the game?”
Adam glanced at her. “Both of those options make me sound like a spoiled child losing his favorite toy.”
She shrugged. “I’m sorry but you’re right, they do. Some people never get that chance, you know. Life gets snatched from them and it’s all over. Look at Cory’s mom. How terrible to lose your mother when you’re just a little kid. At least you’ve been luckier than most.”
“That’s another thing. I let him down. Made promises I haven’t kept. I have to take the blame for what my father tried to do too.”
“Why?”
“Because he kept asking to get me home and I wouldn’t commit because of the way my schedule was stacked up and then life got in the way and I simply forget, which is unforgiveable. I knew the kids were great fans and a visit from me would have been such a boost to them. Always too busy. Somewhere else to go, other people to see. I should have realized that the ones that were most important were the ones at home. Only time I made the effort to come back here was when I thought Dad was going to die.” Adam ran his fingers over Tiny’s ears and she closed her eyes. “I’m a lousy son and a worse role model. Those kids needed me and I was too busy thinking about myself more than them. I’m not boyfriend material. This isn’t the time for us to get involved, Dakota.”
“I think that’s a decision I can make on my own, thank you very much.” Her hackles rose and she was ready to fight for what she wanted but perhaps this wasn’t the time. You had to know when to choose your battles and maybe she should leave this one until Adam had his head sorted.
“No, this time I’m going to do what’s right. I’ve thought of myself and only myself for the last few years. It’s time to be considerate of others and I’m not going to get into a relationship with you until I know what’s wrong with me, if anything. Its better this way, Dakota, regardless of how we feel. I don’t want to let you down too.”
“You’re such an idiot. As if I would dump you because you might have the same condition as your father. Men!” She stood up and paced the lounge room, wishing she could shake some sense into him. The way he was at the moment, she doubted it would work. Time to play him at his own game. More than one way to skin a cat. “Fine, let’s be friends then. See if it makes you any happier. But one thing you have to do is sort out Cory and his friends. Something I won’t stand for – letting down a poor motherless child that hero worships you and hangs onto your every word. It’s not fair to do that to him.”
“I didn’t mean to forget, alright? I had other things on my mind.”
“Oh I get that, I really do. But all excuses are equal, something my father once told me. You need to fix it and make sure you do it in such a way that they’ll forgive you and not feel as though you’re just offering them a patch up job. That would be even
