Chapter 54 Asher Nash

Good Score, Kiddo

Her parents must’ve gone up to bed because they’re not downstairs when I head out. As much as I want to spend the night holding Desiree in my arms, I wouldn’t feel right doing that in her father’s house.

I think about inviting her home with me, but first I need to confront my own father.

She kisses me goodbye at the door, and I hate saying goodbye. We make a promise we’ll see each other soon. Tomorrow night we’ll stay in a hotel ahead of our final home game on Sunday, so it won’t be tomorrow. Maybe Sunday, and then I have an entire week off. I plan to worship her body during that week, that’s for damn sure.

Laying on a bed with her and kissing her naked stomach didn’t do me any favors in that department. I’m turned on, but I force the neediness away as I head home. I’m not really in any rush to get there, and it makes me realize what I want.

I want to live with Desiree.

I want to make a home with her. I want to make a life with her.

Her dad gave me something to chew on earlier in his office when he said I should either quit playing or leave her alone. But maybe he was wrong.

Maybe I can have both.

She’s here in Vegas now, and she’s here because of me—in part, anyway. He doesn’t know that.

Presumably, he also doesn’t know that she stayed away as long as she did because of me. He doesn’t need to know that one.

I pull into the driveway of the house I’ve shared with my dad for the last two and a half years. I can’t believe I’ve been in Vegas that long, and I’m not sure what’s next.

I’m not sure if the Aces will keep me or if Coach Dixon will be lobbying to get rid of me. He’s a damn good coach, and he would want the best players on his team, so I doubt he’d really try to get rid of me. But he doesn’t seem to like me very much right now, and I’m not sure what I can do to change his mind about that.

I’m also a little nervous he’ll change Desiree’s mind about me in the process.

She loves her father, and they’re close. I asked her once what she’d do if he chose to write her off, and she didn’t think it would come to that.

But I saw how he was last night when I came over. I can wish and hope all I want that Sue will be able to get him on our side, but wishes and hopes can end up being pretty damn empty compared to reality.

That’s the cynic in me speaking—the side I inherited from Eddie Nash, next on the list of people to confront tonight.

He’s watching his western when I walk in, and he doesn’t pause the show until I’m standing in front of him.

“What did Coach want to talk to you about?” he grunts.

“Jesus, you’re clueless,” I mutter.

“Excuse me?” he asks, putting the recliner of his chair down but not standing. “What did you just say to me?”

“The woman I got pregnant is his daughter.”

His eyes light up at that, and not because of anything less than a nefarious reason. “Oh, she’s the billionaire heiress, isn’t she? Good score, kid.”

“Good score? Good score ? That’s what you have to say to me?”

“Sure. You’ll both be set for life. Not a bad way to do it. Wish I’d thought of it, to be honest. Your Grandma and Grandpa Roberts were decently well-off, but they had four kids to split their money between, and most of that, as you know, went to the bar.” He shrugs. “I tried. I failed. But look at you, doing the Lord’s work.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? You think I got her pregnant on purpose to take a shot at her fortune?” I ask.

“Well…yeah. Didn’t you?”

I stare at him, totally dumbfounded that he would ever think that of me.

He thinks I’m like him…and that tells me he doesn’t know a damn thing about me.

I walk out of the room totally disgusted that he’d make that insinuation, and when I get to my bedroom, I start to pack in earnest.

I haven’t asked her yet.

I don’t know where we’ll go.

But I know I can’t stay here any longer.

My phone starts to ring, and I glance at the clock. It’s after ten, and my first thought is, what if something’s wrong with the baby ?

It’s just Lincoln calling, so that fear is immediately alleviated as another one steps into its place.

“What’s going on, Brochacho?” I answer brightly.

“Don’t Brochacho me,” he hisses. “I told you we needed to talk.”

“Coach Dixon gave me extra leg drills, and you weren’t in your office when I stopped by. What can I do for you?” My tone is light.

His is not.

“Desiree Dixon?” he demands.

I exhale a long, heavy breath. “You know?”

“Yes, I know. Don’t you know the unwritten rule about staying away from any family members of coaches or teammates?” he demands.

“Teammates? No, I was actually unaware of that one. Guess I should call Hodges back in Indy and apologize for putting it in his sister.”

“Jesus, Asher,” he mutters. “When the fuck were you planning on growing up? Because this is out of control.”

“Actually, my eldest brother, I’m not out of control. For once in my life, I think I might actually be in control.”

“By impregnating your coach’s daughter?” he demands.

“Look, it’s not like that, okay? I love her. I want to spend my life with her.”

Silence greets me on the other side, and I let it play out. I wait for him to make the next move.

Predictably, he does. “Dixon was pissed, Asher. How are you going to handle that?”

“As a professional,” I say. “My personal life has nothing to do with the kind of player I am. I’ll remain focused and prioritize the way every guy chained up by a woman and kids on every team does.”

He’s quiet a beat as he considers that. “Well, holy shit. First you handled the twins, and now this? I think…yep, I think my little brother might actually be growing up.” He sniffles in jest, and I can’t help a small laugh.

“Thank you for finally acknowledging it. I mean, you are pushing forty over there.”

“Fuck off with that nonsense. You’re only as old as you feel.”

“Oh yeah?” I ask. “How old do you feel?”

“Fifty,” he deadpans.

I laugh. “Well, old man, I’ll be looking to you for advice with how to do this whole dad thing.”

“You’ve already got the cheesy shirts down, but dad gear really leans more toward Hawaiian than toward random animals and colorful patterns.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say dryly. “Thanks for the first tip.”

“I’ve got another one for you,” he says, and I wait for it. “The first year is all about the mom, and it takes a minute to find your footing. But once you do, Asher, I really believe you’re going to be an incredible dad.”

“Thanks, Linc.”

“Now get some rest and study some tape because Dixon won’t be going light on you tomorrow,” he says.

“Yeah, I had a feeling,” I admit.

We hang up, and then I grab my tablet to study some film like a good, focused player. When I finish that, I start a search for new houses.

Ones with lots of bedrooms and plenty of space to grow.

There might be hurdles in our way, but knowing a life with Desiree is on the other side is enough motivation for me to start leaping over them now so I can leave them in the rearview with our future fully ahead of us.