That idea didn’t sit well with me at all.
So, do I take the job or not?
That was the question I’d been asking myself since before I came here. It was a dream come true for me, but suddenly, that dream wasn’t looking as beautiful as I thought it would be. What would happen if I got the GM position? I wouldn’t be allowed to be in a relationship with one of the players, but I was going to have Howard’s baby. Would they make him quit? Or would I have to?
Or, if we explained everything, would they make an exception?
I let out a sigh, looking up in relief to see the house was close. The weight of the bags was a little heavy and my arms were growing tired. With how slow I was walking, I wouldn’t be surprised if the walk back took twice as long as it should have. I had to maneuver the bags in my arms so I could open the door without spilling anything.
“I’m back, Grandma,” I called, walking inside.
“Let me help you with the groceries.”
“There’s no need.”
In spite of my protests, she stood up and came to take one of the bags from me. We moved them to the kitchen, and she helped put them away. She sent me looks every time I took out one of my snacks and set them aside, but she didn’t say anything. Of course, I’d gotten some for her, too. I knew she loved chocolate, and I’d gotten some bars for her.
We moved back to the living room with some ice cream, chocolate and fruits. We each had a bowl, and we used the ingredients to make some desert.
Grandma sighed. “We’re spoiling lunch with this, you know,” she admonished. “But it’s been a while since I indulged, so I guess we can have lunch a little later.”
“Sorry, Grandma.”
“You’re a grown up now, so I can’t tell you what to eat and what not to eat. Once in a while is fine. But I do have to ask, Zoe, are you actually going to tell me what the matter is, or do I have to guess it?”
I froze, then sighed as I spooned some ice cream and chocolate. “Why do you think anything is wrong? Maybe I just wanted to visit you?”
“It’s fine that you want to visit me. You can consider this your home, too, so come as many times as you’d like, but anyone who knows you well can tell that you’re moping. Did something happen? Is it your dad?”
“No, it’s not Dad...” I paused to think it over. “Actually, it might have a little bit to do with him, but it’s mostly just me, because I have a problem and I don’t know what to do about it.”
“What problem is that?”
I chewed on my lip, and looked at her from beneath my lashes. “Grandma... I’m pregnant.”
Surprise crossed her face. I wasn’t sure exactly what I expected her to show, but it surprised me when she smiled.
“Baby, that’s a good thing. Don’t tell me that’s the problem? Or is it the father? Does he not want the baby?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know, I haven’t even told him yet. The situation is just... complicated.”
“Then explain it to me,” she insisted. “Maybe it’s something I can help you with.”
I took in a shaky breath. There wasn’t anything wrong with telling her. She’d have to find out eventually, too, because this wasn’t something I planned to keep to myself. Besides, talking to her was a lot easier than Dad or Howard right now.
“So, have you heard that Dad is dating someone?”
She shook her head. “No. You know your dad and I don’t exactly talk, Zoe. When did this happen?”
“I couldn’t tell you when, but he told me about it a few weeks ago, then told me a few days ago that he got married to her. They ran off to Vegas over the weekend, had a quick ceremony, and came back with the legal papers.”
“Well, that’s a surprise. I didn’t know your dad had it in him. He must really like this woman.”
I nodded. “He does, I can tell. She moved in with us, too, so I get to see her at home every day now.”
The house wasn’t quite as empty as it usually was, with the addition of just one person, but it didn’t make me feel as good as I would have thought to have the extra presence at home. Maybe because she wasn’t my mom, and because she was Howard’s.
“So where does the problem come in? Do you not like her? Does she treat you terribly?”
“Nothing like that,” I murmured, fidgeting as I spooned some more ice cream into my mouth to stall for time. Unless I wanted to stuff it all down my throat, though, I wasn’t saving much time. “It’s just that... she’s the mother to my baby’s father, so it’s awkward living with the both of them.”
I didn’t look at her when I said it, I couldn’t. What would Grandma think of me? I’d worried about that, which was why I didn’t say anything the first day I got here. Would she tell me it was wrong?
“I swear, I didn’t even know they were together when Howard and I started seeing each other,” I said quickly. Technically, I was fibbing a bit, since what we started out as could better be termed as fuck buddies, except we weren’t friends. Maybe a one night stand that lasted more than one night. “Neither of them know that we’re together, either.”
“Is that all?”
My head snapped up in surprise at her casual tone. “G-grandma?”
She smiled. “Really, Zoe, is that the only problem? While it will come off as strange to some people, if this is someone you care for, it shouldn’t matter. You’re not blood related, and you didn’t grow up together in the same house, so you aren’t doing anything wrong.”
I gaped at her for the longest moments. Her words, simple as they were, had eased the strongest vice tightened around my chest. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. It was how I thought, too, but because I didn’t want to hurt my dad, I couldn’t help but worry. Hearing someone else say it took a lot off my shoulders.
“If that’s the only problem, then it’s not a problem at all. Go ahead and tell your parents, both of you, instead of waiting for them to find out about it later. If you’re keeping quiet for their sake, you’re sacrificing your own happiness, and that isn’t fair to yourself, Zoe.”
I winced. “Well, actually, Howard was supposed to be part of the team, but Dad kicked him out. Dad doesn’t like him, but he just recently got drafted. Well, actually, I met Howard when I went to draft him for our team. But Dad doesn’t like him because Howard was kicked off his last team for making some mistakes. He got caught up with drugs, but he’s been clean and sober for over a year now. Dad finally relented and allowed him on the team, but with the stipulation that he not see me. And then, I was called by the team’s owner and he offered me the position of General Manager, which is something I’ve wanted for so long, but Dad wouldn’t take me seriously, only now if I take the job, then I’m not allowed to have relations with anyone on the team.”