Chapter 27

Eliza

Coach Roy’s total breakdown a couple weeks ago seems to have sent the team into overdrive, and we’ve won the last two games. I’m calling that forward momentum, and I’ll take it. This weekend is Labor Day, and it’s time for the Labor Day Classic. Each team will play their main rival over the long weekend. It’s a big deal, and there’s lots of advertising for all the eyes paying attention. Sponsorship this weekend is what I’d like to see weekly for our league.

I look up from my computer to find Marlene in Dad’s office is calling.

“Hello, Marlene. How are you today?” I answer.

“Just fine,” she says. “Your father asked me to call and have you come meet him at the house at two o’clock this afternoon. And he’d like you to come alone.”

I look at my watch. “Alone?” My stomach drops. He doesn’t want me to bring Steve. Does that mean he’s going to start the negotiations to give me the team?

“Yes. Your father was very clear that he wanted to meet with only you.”

“Okay, I’ll leave now,” I tell her. “Thank you.”

As I gather my things, I send a message to Steve.

Me: I’ve been called to meet with my dad, and he wants me to come alone. I’m leaving now. I don’t know when I’ll be back.

Steve: Call me when you get in the car. I’ve crossed my fingers and toes for you.

I stick my head into Tanya’s office. “I’m heading out. My dad wants to meet with me.”

Tanya’s eyes grow big. “What does he want?”

I shrug. “I don’t know, but I’m hoping with every ounce of my being that we’re going to meet with lawyers to begin the transition of the team over to me.”

Tanya claps her hands. “My fingers are crossed.”

I race out of the office and hop in the car. After pulling out of the parking garage, I call Steve.

“What do you think he wants?” Steve asks.

“He’s talked to both of us. I hope that means he feels confident that he can start the transition of the team.”

“Do you think he’d do that before we got engaged?”

I sigh. “I don’t know. My guess is that his requirements are based on his health scare. Maybe since he’s doing better, he’s ready to relax a little.”

“How are you feeling about that?”

“I’m not ready to say goodbye to either of my parents if that’s what you’re asking.”

“I totally understand. I chose sports medicine precisely because I don’t lose patients very often. Let’s talk about more positive stuff. What will be the first thing you do when you take over the team? ”

I know my response immediately. “I would do more at the league level. I’ve been wanting to work with more big sponsors. You know, Tim Hortons sponsors all the Canadian NHL teams. I want that for the Tigers. I’ve become friendly with Allison, and I thought I might talk to Henry about Martin Communications. They have the named sponsorship at the NHL arena. The least they could do is run banner ads in the stadium.”

He chuckles. “You’ve convinced me.”

“I have a long list of sponsors I’d like to approach, but it would require a committee of owners and marketing teams to make it work for the whole league. Plus, we’d need to get more television time, not only with the Sport Network but even with ESPN in the States.”

“I know your dad is going to be so proud of you.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you saying that. I really hope that’s why he’s called me to his home.”

“Call me when you’re on your way back. I’ll be home.”

“Steve, I’m so grateful for all your help with this. I…”

“I know. I’m happy to be here to support you.”

We disconnect the call, and my palms are sweating. I’m so nervous.

My heart races as I pull up to my father’s home. Whatever he says today is going to change my life.

I take a deep breath and step out of my car, smoothing my dress. I ring the bell and wait patiently. Minni must be at school. She’s usually out the door the minute my car is in park. When the door opens, I’m surprised to see my father himself. He smiles and steps back to allow me in.

“Where’s Laura?”

“I sent her out, and the kids are gone too. That way we can talk freely.”

My stomach drops. I don’t think I’m getting good news.

Dad’s face is grim, and I worry something is wrong. “Elizabeth,” he says, his voice slow and serious. “We need to talk. ”

My heart sinks. I still myself and look into my father’s eyes. “What is it, Dad?” I ask, keeping my voice steady.

He directs me to sit with him in the living room. “I don’t know what to think about Steve.”

A slight twinge of anger wraps itself around the fear in my gut. “I’m doing as you asked. I have a growing relationship with Steve McCormick. I care for him, and we’re falling in love. I also have developed friendships beyond Tanya, and I’m getting out more. I do occasionally work late, but that’s normal.”

He looks at me, and the slight whistle to his breathing fills the room. “I’ve been thinking about your future with the Vancouver Tigers,” he says. “And I’ve come to a decision.”

I hold my breath, waiting for him to continue. Why can’t he see that his expectations have nothing to do with my desires and ambitions?

“I’m happy that you and Steve are forming a relationship, and that you’re doing as I asked and finding things to do outside of the team.”

I nod, silently begging him to hurry and spit out what he wants to tell me.

“Laura and I have been talking. Sharing your life and having a family is more important than a job. We’re in an excellent position. The money you have will never require you to work. You can be a wife and mother.”

I feel tears building. We haven’t made any progress at all. “Dad, I’m not sure I want those things, and if I do, it isn’t any time soon. I love my work, and I want that to be part of my life. I shouldn’t have to choose one or the other.”

He nods. “I know that, but you’re a lot like me. You become singularly focused. I’m offering you this because I love you. We think it’s time for you to think seriously about your future together.”

“Dad, Steve knows nothing of your requirement to get engaged,” I lie smoothly. “We’re taking this slowly.”

My father’s face hardens. “I’m changing our deal. I want to see you married and working toward having a family with Steve McCormick.”

The air leaves my lungs. He has officially lost his mind. I desperately want the team, but I know this isn’t something Steve wants. It’s too much to ask him, and I can’t even believe I would consider it. I struggle for something to say.

“Laura and I have always known you’d be the one to take over the Tigers one day,” my father continues. “But we believe it’s important that you have more than just someone in your life. I propose that in order for you to inherit the Vancouver Tigers, you have to be married and at least working on having children. Only then will you understand all that life is about and be able to manage the team permanently.”

My mind is reeling as I try to take in my father’s words. He’s changed our deal entirely. How dare he use my dreams as a bargaining chip to control my personal life?

“Dad,” I protest, my voice rising. “I can’t just start a family because you want me to. What about my own dreams, my own ambitions?”

Dad’s expression softens slightly, and he reaches out to take my hand. “Elizabeth, I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear. But you must trust me. The Tigers are more than a business to me. They’re my legacy. And I want that legacy to continue with you. But not only is the team a financial black hole, it can be all-consuming, taking over every aspect of your life. If you and Steve are falling in love, as you say you are, you need to be practical about your future. This shouldn’t faze him. Running the team is an enormous responsibility, and I want you to be prepared for it. Trust me, Elizabeth. It’s for your own good.”

I feel a lump rising in my throat as I look at my father’s face. I know he loves me, but I can’t help feeling like he’s using my love life as a tool to further his own goals. As I look into his eyes, I know I have no choice. He’s forced me into a corner, but I’m not going to stay here.

I take a deep breath, trying not to feel my dream slipping away. “It’s your team, and you can do with it what you want. What you’re asking from me is too much. I won’t sucker Steve into marrying me to get what I want. That’s manipulative to him and demeaning to me.”

I can see the color rise in Dad’s face. He’s used to everyone capitulating to him, especially when he thinks he’s right, like I know he does now. But he’s pushed me too far.

“I’m fully capable of managing the team and being successful without a man to prop me up. I appreciate that you care about me and don’t want me to repeat your mistakes, but I’m not you. You don’t know what my future holds.” I clasp my hands in front of me and pinch the skin between my index finger and thumb to prevent the tears falling. Everything I’ve worked for, he’s dismissed. It’s like he doesn’t see me at all. “I can’t accept your terms.”

“Then I’ll sell the team to Donnie,” he threatens.

I shrug, willing myself to appear nonchalant. “I’m disappointed, but I won’t be forced into this. I don’t want to end up like you, jumping from one marriage to another. My personal life is mine to manage. No thank you.”

Dad doesn’t respond to that, and I take it as my cue to leave. I can’t keep it together much longer anyway, and there’s nothing more to say. My heart is heavy as I make my way back to the car and then back across the bridge to Steve’s home. The weight of my father’s words bears down on me, trapping me between getting the team and the career I want and asking something unreasonable of me—and of the man I’ve grown very fond of.

As I pull into the driveway and turn off the engine, I feel no better about the choice I’ve had to make, though I know it’s the right one. I’ll just have to talk to Steve and figure out a way to move forward. I have no idea where this leaves us now. I worry it means we’re through.

Taking a deep breath, I go inside, and Steve is waiting for me, a smile on his face as he greets me at the door.

“Hey, you,” he says, his arms wrapping around me. “I thought you were going to call me on your way home. Did you tell Tanya the good news before telling me? What did your father say?”

My heart aches. This is all so humiliating. My own father doesn’t see me as a competent person. “I think I’m going to need a drink.” That’s all I can say without bursting into tears.

“Of course,” he says. “What would you like?”

“I’d like two fingers of the strongest thing you have “

“That would be the Elijah Craig bourbon. Are you sure you want two fingers?”

I nod. “I’ll take it neat.”

“It’s pretty strong. How about we add ice and a bit of water? This could give you quite the hangover.”

I sigh. “That’s fine.”

Steve looks at me apprehensively as he hands me my drink. “How was the traffic driving back?”

“It wasn’t too bad, and it gave me the time I needed to think.”

“Please tell me your dad hasn’t decided he’s going to sell the team to Donnie Cochran.”

I look up at the ceiling. “Well, I don’t know. But that’s not really what we talked about today.”

“Well, that’s good news. Isn’t it?”

“He’s changed his requirements for me,” I say quietly.

Steve stops mid-sip, and his brow furrows. “What do you mean?”

“It seems he doesn’t trust me to manage my own life. Before he will give me the team, now, he says I need to be married and working on children.”

Steve’s face contorts. “Ohhhh.” To his credit, after just a moment, he meets my eyes and reaches for my hand. “I’m so sorry, Eliza. That’s not fair to you at all. It’s not right.”

“It’s asking too much. And to give him grandchildren? That’s… It feels medieval or something. This isn’t who I thought my father was. I don’t know if his illness has… I can’t…” I take a deep breath and pull myself togeth er. I look up at Steve. “Obviously, this is not even remotely what you agreed to, and it’s certainly not something I would ask of you—or of me. From the beginning, my goal has been to satisfy my father without letting him manipulate my life. Maybe that’s not possible. He’s convinced that this is the best way for me to learn how to run the team.”

“And that’s ridiculous, because you’re running the team already,” Steve nearly shouts. “And what will keep him from changing his mind again once you jump through his next hoop?”

“I don’t know, but I’m not going to. I’m watching my life’s dream slip away.” My voice trembles.

Steve runs his fingers through his hair, and suddenly, he’s focused. “We’ll figure this out,” he says, his voice gentle. “We can talk to your father, explain that we’re not ready for marriage yet. Maybe we can come up with some kind of compromise.”

I nod, grateful for Steve’s support, but I know it won’t be that simple. My father is stubborn, and he has one hundred percent convinced himself that he’s right. This was a mistake from the beginning.