CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 by Chance, Jacob (digital e reader TXT) 📕

My dad laughs. “Your mother and I thought if we showed how in love we were it would set a good example for you guys. We were hoping you’d find a love as strong as ours has been.”

“Jesus, I feel like a fool. I’ve been wrong about so many things.” I shake my head, my watering eyes bouncing between my parents. “I’m sorry.”

My mom notices my emotional distress and places her hand over mine. “What do you have to be sorry for?”

“For being a horrible son.” A tear falls down my cheek, and my mom slides her chair over closer to mine. She places her arm around me while I wipe the wetness away with my forearm.

“You’re the only son we want, Flynn. We love you.”

I have a golf ball sized lump of emotion in my throat now. I couldn’t speak if my life depended on it.

“Your mom’s right. We’re so proud to have you as our son, and not because you play for the Pirates. Although, that’s pretty fucking awesome for a dad to be able to say about his son.” He grips my forearm, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“I love you guys,” I say, my voice cracking like a pubescent teenager. “I think I’ve been wrong about so many things.”

“We love you too. You’re not the only one who was wrong. As your parents, the blame falls on us. We failed at showing you how much we love you. We’ll have to do a better job going forward,” Dad says.

“When do we get to visit with you and Nadia?” Mom asks.

“Here’s the thing. I may have fucked up last night.”

“Tell us what happened. If there’s one area your father and I can offer advice, it’s relationships. We might be able to help.”

* * *

Pausing on the sidewalk, I pull out my phone and turn to Kendra. “Let me try texting Nadia, since she hasn’t answered any of my calls.”

Me: Nadia, I’ve been calling you all day. I’m worried. Please answer me.

I send the message and hope she’ll reply. But if Kendra’s right, and she saw that picture of me at the bar, I’m not surprised she’s ghosting me.

My sister and I walk into C’s, our favorite pub from our Boston University days, and shouts greet us. There’s a table in the corner with a few familiar, beaming faces.

Owen jumps to his feet and hugs me. “Hey.”

“It’s great to see you,” I say, slapping him on the chest.

Then it’s Trevor’s turn to give me a backbreaking hug. And finally, Clancy stands. He catches my hand, pulling me in for a quick slap on the back/hug. “Sorry about last night,” I say.

“Oh, dude, don’t even go there. You’ve had my back more times than I can remember.”

“Yeah, but that was back in college. Thanks for helping Kendra out.”

“Anytime,” he replies.

Once Kendra has been passed around for hugs, we all sit down. Condolences are offered from each of them and then we get down to enjoying our mini reunion.

Clancy grabs a pitcher of beer and I look around. Everything is the same, as if we’ve retreated into the past. It’s a mind fuck.

“This place never changes.” I sip my beer.

Trevor raises his glass to his lips in a silent toast. “I know. Isn’t it great?”

“So with all the buzz, I couldn't help but notice you’re dating your very attractive agent,” Owen mentions.

“Yep. Nadia,” Kendra answers for me. “She’s awesome. Way too good for Flynn.”

“Thank you, Kendra,” I droll.

“It’s not like we’re not all thinking it already,” Clancy quips.

“Trevor, how’s Grace doing?” Kendra asks.

“She’s great. The kids are keeping her busy.”

“What about Eliza?” Kendra directs her question to Owen

“She’s doing well. Beatrice and the twins are a lot to handle, but she makes it look easy.”

I tap Clancy’s arm. “How are Tenley and Molly?”

He grins. “My girls are amazing.”

“You don’t ever feel trapped or restless?” I ask, keeping my voice down. Clancy is the one I feel most comfortable talking about personal stuff with.

He shakes his head. “Never. I’ve got a beautiful wife who loves me as much as I love her. And once we had Molly, she brought us together even more. It’s like parenting together pushed us to another level. It might not be that way for everyone who has kids, but it works for us. And we didn’t have the average beginning either.”

“So you never panic because you’re married with a daughter?”

“Dude, I panic one hundred times a day about that, but not in the way you’re probably thinking.” He adjusts his ball cap lower on his forehead. There’s not much of a crowd due to the early hour, but we’re all wearing caps to avoid being recognized. “I’m the man of the family and my girls are my responsibility. I have to make sure they’re safe and provided for. There are always reasons to worry about them, but that worry is worth the payoff of having them in my life. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about how blessed I am.”

“I’m happy for you. It’s awesome that you guys make it work so well.” I hear Kendra laughing with my other two friends and I’m glad they’re here.

“What’s going on with you and Nadia for real?” he asks.

“Things have been great, but she hasn’t spoken to me since last night.”

He raises an eyebrow. “When you were fucked up?”

“Yep.”

Clancy laughs. “I’m gonna give you some advice. If you love her and can’t live without her, you better start your groveling.”

“We’re heading back to Charleston tomorrow morning. My first stop will be her office.”

“Smart. You should send flowers in the morning to warm her up,” he suggests.

“I can think of something better than flowers.”

“The more creativity you show, the better. Gift giving is an art form I’m still working on,” Clancy tells me.

“Anyone want to make any predictions about the rest of the football season?” Owen tosses out the question.

“Dude, you’re not a rookie. You know