That night, Connor picked up Bri at the school after the bus dropped the team off. They had taken first place in every category and first place overall, and the girls were all excited. Bri was beaming as she climbed into her dad’s BMW.
“Congratulations, Pumpkin!” Connor leaned over and gave his daughter a kiss on the head. “You girls were amazing.”
“Thanks Dad. I’m really glad you were able to come. It was nice having you there.”
“I was a little surprised to see Cole there. I didn’t realize you guys had your own groupies!”
“They aren’t groupies,” Bri laughed. “They’re mostly boyfriends of the girls on the team.”
“Boyfriends? Then why was Cole there?” he sounded confused.
Talk about a perfect opening. Bri took a deep breath.
“Yeah, about that. Dad, there’s something I want to tell you.”
“Okay,” he replied hesitantly.
“It’s just that... Cole and I, we’re kind of... dating,” she winced.
“What?” Her dad looked over at her, shocked. “Really? When? How long...? Why am I just hearing about this now?” Bri couldn’t tell if her dad was angry, or just flabbergasted.
“It’s only been official for a couple of weeks,” Bri rushed to clarify. “We haven’t even told our friends yet. We just wanted to keep it quiet for a while.”
“Wait! A couple of weeks? You mean to tell me that you two were together when I agreed to let you go away with him for three days, by yourself?” Connor was definitely angry. “And you didn’t think that this was something you should’ve mentioned before I let you go!?!”
“Dad, it wasn’t like that,” she tried to quell his escalating anger.
“Did you two...? Did something happen?” he yelled.
“What? No! Of course not!” It was Bri’s turn to get angry. “Not only are we nowhere near that point in our relationship, but you know me better than that! Cole and I were not alone, doing... whatever for three days, and you know it! Jimmy and the Hamilton’s were there the whole time. And in case you were unaware, it is impossible to get any privacy on a boat,” Bri huffed.
“I’m sorry,” Connor attempted to reign in his anger. “I didn’t mean to imply anything. You just took me by surprise, and I panicked. I know you’re a good kid, Bri, and I trust you to make your own decisions. I’m sorry I freaked out there for a minute,” he gave Bri a small smile.
“It’s okay,” Bri replied, her anger gone. “We should’ve told you sooner. It’s just that, it was all so new, and I guess I wanted to make sure we were going to work out before I said anything.”
“And you think it’ll work this time? Because I know you two have been back and forth before. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Thanks Dad,” Bri smiled, touched at his concern. “But I think this time will be different. The timing just hasn’t been right before.”
“And it is now?”
“I think so. I’m willing to take that chance, anyway.”
“Well,” Connor breathed out. “Cole seems like a good kid. He’s always been very respectful of you, and I trust your judgment. Though, I think it’s time we officially had him over for dinner, so I can make sure he and I are on the same page.”
“Just promise me, no shotguns,” Bri smiled. “But, really, you aren’t mad?”
“No, I’m not mad. I kind of saw this coming. But promise me you won’t start letting your hormones make your decisions,” Connor half teased.
“Promise,” she laughed back. “Thanks Dad. I love you.”
“I love you too, Sweet Pea.”
When they got home, Bri lugged her bag into her room and flopped on her bed. A minute later her phone rang. Bri pulled it out and smiled when she saw who was calling.
“Hello,” she answered.
“Hey Beautiful,” Cole replied. “Did you make it home?”
“Yep, a few minutes ago. What are you doing?”
“Just waiting outside your house, hoping you’ll come out and see me.”
“Really?” Bri jumped off her bed and looked out her window. Sure enough, Cole was leaning casually against the tree in her front yard.
“Wow, someone’s got it bad!” she teased him.
“I’m not the only one,” he taunted back. “So, what do you say? Can you spare a few minutes for your boyfriend who hasn’t seen you all week and misses you terribly?”
“Well, when you put it like that... Be out in a second!”
Bri hung up and rushed out of her room. Her dad and Summer were in the den, and Bri decided to let him know she was stepping out for a minute.