idea of my future onto me.
I have a folder with all the information I’ve gathered over the last three months, and I slide it over to him.
“Growing up, you and Mom always wanted the best for Baby and me. We attended daycare that cost more than rent. We went to the best schools. Had every opportunity handed to us. And I can speak for both Baby and myself when I say we’re incredibly grateful for everything you’ve done for us.”
He looks like he doesn’t believe me. “So that’s why you’re turning down your position here?”
Snarky much?
I don’t let him get to me. “I may not want the future you’ve mapped out for me, but I can appreciate my upbringing. I’ve never wanted for anything other than the choice to do what I want when I grow up.”
“And what have you come up with?” He opens the folder of information and must get stuck on the first page. “Hockey? Really? Please don’t tell me you’ve come all this way to pitch ideas of being a hockey player.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I mutter. “I don’t want to be a professional hockey player. I want to be a coach. Not just any coach. I want to run a non-for-profit camp to help underprivileged kids receive a little of what you gave me growing up.”
“That’s … noble of you. This is surprising. How do you expect to get funding for this or live the lifestyle you’re accustomed to?”
“It won’t make me rich. Not by a long shot. And I’m okay with that. In terms of funding …”
I slip into all the stats and tax benefits and give him as professional a pitch as I can.
“I will still technically be involved with Beckett Enterprises, which is what you’ve always wanted.”
His fingers steeple under his chin. “I will need to take it to the board of directors for their approval which will be a hard sell.”
“Think of the tax write-offs.”
I could be wrong, but I swear that’s pride shining in his eyes.
Dad sighs. “Such a waste.”
My heart skips a beat and starts to sink into my gut.
“Waste?”
“You came up with this plan in three months, and it’s a better pitch than a lot of the shit we see here. I’m disappointed we won’t have your brain where I still believe it should be, but I made a deal with you. I gave you my word, and even though I expected you to come up with something I could easily shoot down … something selfish …” He shakes his head. “I can’t in good conscience lie and tell you your idea is stupid, because it’s not.”
My chest puffs out with pride, but I can’t take all the credit. “If it makes you feel any better, this wasn’t just my idea. It was a group effort. I came up with the coaching and the camp, but Jacobs and a friend from school helped with the business side of things, and guess who I called for all the information on business tax?”
He blinks at me.
“Baby. You really need to give her a chance, Dad. She’s brilliant.”
“I know she is, boy. I’m not blind.”
“Then why—”
“I’m old-fashioned, I know it, but it’s not only that. I want to protect her from this world.”
I narrow my eyes. “Huh?”
“It’s harder for women to rise to the top. There’s misogyny and the pay gap, and there’s a lot of obstacles she would have to face. I want to protect her from it all.”
Realization dawns. “Is that why you freaked out when you found me with Jacobs? Because you knew how much harder it would be for me to live in your world as a queer man?”
It’s subtle, but he nods. “I like your boyfriend. Especially if this new side of you has anything to do with him.”
Apparently, my father has a heart. Who knew?
“While I understand your need to protect Baby, I think you’re not giving her enough credit. The only way to make change in your misogynistic and sexist world is to let her break those glass ceilings. Talk to her about it because she actually wants this chance.”
“I will.” Dad stands. “I’ll need to take your pitch to the board—”
“Just know, that even if they say no, this is what I want to do with my life, and I’m going to make it happen.”
A smile breaks through on my dad’s face. “I’ll push it through. I promise.”
I can’t have heard that right. “Really?” It comes out a lot louder than I intended.
“Your