The Football Player's Parallel Obsession

Dinner with Dad Part 1

Sofie

I hear my dad knocking on the door and hurry to open it. “Hey Dad.”

“There’s my beautiful daughter. Where would you like to go sweetpea?” I look at my Dad as he steps into my apartment. He’s tall at six one although my brother towers over him. Bennett is six five and a massive NFL football player. We all look alike with our dark black hair. I got my mother’s golden honey brown eye color and her genes apparently being as short as I am at five four. Dad and Bennett both have blue eyes.

“Wherever Dad. Your choice tonight.” I tell him as I grab my purse so we can leave.

“How about the diner down the street from the football stadium? I always enjoyed their burgers.”

I nod and begin telling him about my classes.

We arrive and the place is packed. As we stand around to wait for a table, I hear someone call my name. I see Colby stand up from a booth across the diner waving. I laugh and wave back. My dad immediately leans around to see who I am waving to. “Oh, who is that?” He asks with a big smile.

I sigh knowing my dad is hoping he’s a potential date or something. Before I can say anything, Colby is walking over. “Hey Peppermint. Want to come sit with us? We just got our table. You’ll be waiting like an hour.”

“I don’t want to intrude. Who are you here with?”

“Just Webb. Is this your dad?” My father is avidly listening to our exchange and I almost groan.

“Yes this is my dad, Arthur. Dad this is Colby. Delaney and I have photography class with him.”

“Colby Sterns, the safety?” Dad shakes his hand.

“Yes sir. Nice to meet you Mr. Riles. Want to sit with us?” My dad of course jumps at the chance.

Colby leads the way and I quickly tell the girl at the front where we are going. I hurry to catch them and see Webb sitting there. Colby ushers my dad into the seat next to him and I am forced to slide in next to Webb.

“Webb right?” My dad reaches out a hand and Webb shakes it.

“Yes sir. Nice to meet you Mr. Riles.” He turns to me greeting me softly. “Hey Sofie.”

“You call my daughter Peppermint?” Dad asks Colby and I let out a sigh. This is going to be a long night.

“She has a backpack full of them, so I thought it fits.”

“Her and her brother were addicted to those as kids. Now he buys her a case of them every year for her birthday or when she runs out. Make sure she shares.” Dad smiles at me and I shake my head.

“Dad…What am I, two again?”

“Just checking that you use your manners sweetpea. You might have forgotten them.” Shoot me now.

“Colby your stats for last year were really impressive. You should go quickly in the draft. What did you have, thirty sacks last year?” Dad muses.

“Thirty-three.” I mutter and clamp my mouth shut. I see Colby snap his eyes to me quickly and I hurry to drink a big gulp of my water.

“Thank you Sofie. I forgot. And what was your interception number? Sofie remind me.”

“He’s sitting right next to you. Ask him.” I tell him and see Colby fighting a laugh.

My dad just raises an eyebrow my way “Sofie Amelia…..”

“Twenty-two” I mutter again now feeling my cheeks turn red.

They talk football while I look around the room. Luckily he doesn’t ask me for Webb’s stats though I could tell him. Once our food arrives, I busy myself with eating it. “You like mushrooms on your burger huh?” Webb says quietly and I nod as I chew.

“Do you boys come here often on weekends?”

“We come here a lot all week. Love the smothered fries.” Webb answers him.

“So does Sofie. Surprised you didn’t order them sweetpea.” Dad gives me a funny look.

“I won’t be able to finish this burger much less the fries. It’s been a while since I’ve had this.” I admit then wish I hadn’t.

“You’ve been holing up in your apartment again, haven’t you? You need to get out and enjoy being in college. Maybe even go to a party or something. No drugs or drinking but the party could still be good. And don’t wear anything too revealing please. Don’t want to give the wrong impression. But otherwise, go to the party. Life’s too short to be so serious sweetpea.”

“I’ll keep that in mind Dad.” I tell him quietly watching Colby’s shoulders shake with silent laughter. I refuse to even look near Webb’s direction.

“How about you two? Do you get out and do fun things besides sitting watching marathons of tv shows like my daughter?” My dad has no shame I swear. I glare at him, but he ignores me.

“Not much during football season. Having practice five days a week plus game day makes it hard Mr. Riles.” Webb answers him.

“Call me Arthur. Hopefully I can make it to one of your games. When my son was here, I came all the time.”

“Your son likes football?” Colby asks.

Dad laughs “You could say that. He…” I kick Dad under the table and give him a look. He clears his throat and says “He loved being here and at the games.” I smile at him tersely and he gives me a sad look. He knows I don’t want anyone to know who my big brother is. It leads to a lot of unwanted attention so they can try to meet him or ask him for help with the pros.

In his effort to move away from the subject, he goes onto something even more embarrassing.

“Do you boys have girlfriends?” I close my eyes shaking my head.

“Dad what? Really?” I ask him frustratedly.

“I am making conversation Sofie. Something you should learn to do.” He gives me a stern look.