pinky promise - jamie tartt

‟ TO WORRY „

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Tate rode in the car that dropped her parents off at the airport at the end of their short stay, if only to ensure that they actually got on the plane.

She then rode directly to the clubhouse, though it was much earlier than she usually went to work. But when she got there, she didn't go to her office.

Instead, she found herself on the pitch, letting the cold bite into her skin as she lined up a football to practice taking shots.

She wasn't sure how long she had been out there, but she really jumped out of skin when a new voice joined her, having not heard their approach over the music blaring through her headphones.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to frighten, ya, Tater Tot,"

"No, I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." She explained, shoving her headphones into her pocket as she turned to face Ted. He was smiling, like always, but it was a different look in his eye. One that told her he knew exactly what she was going through.

"You got a heck of a leg on ya." Ted nodded his head in the direction of the goal she had previously been shooting on. "If I didn't know how much you loved your current job, I'd ask you to come play for us."

"Thanks, Coach," She grinned, though it was forced. She scuffed the toe of her sneaker on the pitch, unsure of what to say and unable to think of anything besides her problems. "I've played my whole life, y'know. And sometimes it just helps me think things through."

"Things like parents?" He proposed, and she nodded instantly, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

"My parents actually really hate soccer." She confessed, deferring to the American name for the sport when none of the players were there to yell at her about it.

"Well, now, that's a surprise. And a strong word, too. Are you sure they hate it?" His voice was soft, and she nodded again.

"My mom told me that playing sports made me manly, and that I should be into more feminine things, like Tommie was." The words tasted bitter on her tongue. What her mother didn't know was that Tommie ached to play sports like she did, but never was able because of her heart condition.

"Well, if that's true, you're the prettiest darn man I've ever seen." Ted teased, and Tate couldn't help but snort at his words. "But I am sorry you had to hear that. And I want you to know that it is definitely not true."

"I know," She agreed. Chase had spent a lot of time, too much time, reminding her that her and her interests were important. She never would be able to thank her brother enough. "I'm just pissed off 'cause my parents flew all the way out here, just to basically tell me I still don't live up to their standards."

She kicked a ball before her, and the sound of it hitting the mesh net was all that broke the silence between them.

"Now, I don't have a daughter, but I do know that if I did, I'd want her to be a heck of a lot like you."

She paused at his words, the honesty in his tone causing her throat to tighten. Tears that had been threatening to fall all morning pricked at her eyes, and she turned to face him, heart nearly bursting.

"I truly am in awe of how strong you are. And I am so, so proud of you."

If Roy was like her uncle, then Ted was like her father.

Unable to speak with tears rushing down her cheeks, she crashed into Ted, wrapping her arms around him. He returned the embrace instantly, knowing just how much his words affected her.