Page 96 of The Replay

"Are you seeing him during this trip?"

"Yes. We're going for dinner." She sighs. "He'll be looking at us with the same analytical eye as always, and decide we could be doing more. Because he always decides we could be doing more. Working harder. We've been given too much to let it go to waste. To simply hoard it and coast through life. So Cora and I want to show him how capable we actually are. That we are going through every door open to us and going far. We are following the Sinclair Montt code of ethics."

"You may never get his full approval, Mari."

"I know. Hence the resilience. They're my family and despite the physical distance we had growing up, we never lacked attention and commitment. I know they will be there. And they demand we show up for each other. But it comes at a cost. You know my parents are critical. Opinionated. They didn't like that my marriage ended and, instead of jumping straight back to our charity organization with Maisie, I came to Seattle with Cora. They don't understand that I need to prove I can do this not only for them to believe it— they have not seen me succeed at anything— but also because I need to believe it."

I wrap her in my arms and take a deep breath. The words at the tip of my tongue refuse to come out. As much as I want to tell her she doesn't need to prove anything to anyone, not even to herself, a part of me recognizes the impulse. The drive to impress those who have wronged us somehow.

Even after all this time, a spiteful part of me wishes to do just that with a second championship ring, right when her parents are watching so closely. So they know I have everything they doubted I'd ever get. It's one of the main reasons why I'm pushing myself so hard this season.

"You'll earn everything you want," I finally say. "I'm sure of it."

"I'm counting on it." She kisses the spot on my chest under her cheek. "If I finally find my path and prosper, I'll find my ground. I'll have roots within myself, to help me weather my parents' demands. Then I'll get to do great thingswith my success, for so many people. I can't be the only Sinclair sibling who doesn't have their shit together, you know?"

"Now that is bullshit. I'm sure they all have their own little cracks in the foundation. Even you rich kids can struggle sometimes, in your own pampered ways."

"Hey!" she complains, but she laughs, and I do too.

Later we get ready for bed.

"Can I text you?" she asks. "While I'm away?"

"Of course," I say.

And I bring her close to me as we fall asleep. Wondering what this all means for us.

Chapter 30

Mariana

Dominic and Mariana's text chain

Mariana: I've never liked airports, and I've seen too many in recent days :(

Dom: My least favorite part of being a pro athlete. Having to travel so much.

Mariana: THAT's the least favorite thing?

Dom: I'd say so, yeah.

Mariana: Not the fans harassing you when the team loses?

Dom: No. I take their disappointment to heart. Ihave to own it.

Mariana: That's intense.

Dom: RESILIENCE

Mariana: Right, right. I'm dining with my father tomorrow. Send me some of that?

Dom: You can have half of mine.

Sinclair Montt Family Chat

Dad: I'm sending a car to pick you up from your hotel. 5:30pm.

Cora: We'll be there.