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Oh. I see. This is not going to be as simple as I hoped.
“I can’t help it if that’s how you choose to see our relationship. You should also know, it doesn’t matter to me whatyou think. My relationship with Rake is my business. Not yours. But I can assure you that we are a couple. We are in love.”
There. I said it.
A vein in the side of Mr. Hanson’s neck bulges as he stretches to his full height and stares me down.
Really? You’re going to try to physically intimidate me?
“If you don’t think about what you’re doing, Mr. Hanson, you will lose your son. That would break his heart and it would break mine too.”
He growls and I swear he even bares his teeth a little. I brace myself, because it’s clear he’s about to blow his top.
“You are a selfish girl,” he yells, each word getting louder.
Oh God. I look around and see he’s caught the attention of rink security. They are making their way over to us right now.
“You are ruining Rake. You know it, I know it. The only person who doesn’t know it is my idiot son, who is probably just happy to get into your pants. You think you can be with a pro athlete? Are you kidding? You’re nothing special. Have you seen the wives of pro athletes? It won’t take long for everyone to realize your marriage is a farce?—”
I want to be furious with this man. To hate him and everything about him. I want to scream at him to go fuck himself, and tell him Rake doesn’t need him and never has. Instead, a heartbreaking sadness floods me, the kind of sadness you feel when all the hope before you dies, and you know there’s no coming back.
That’s how I feel about Don Hanson right now. He’s a sad man, and I am sad for him.
Two security guards flank him. “Sir. You are going to have to leave?—”
“What’s going on here?” We turn to see Rake coming toward us, still in his skates and practice clothes.
“Rake!” Mr. Hanson shouts, trying to shake off the guards. “That is my son.”
The security guys look at Rake. “Is this true? This is your father?”
Rake nods. “You can let him go.”
They release him, but only take a few steps back.
“Dad. I think you should leave. You can’t talk to Petal like that, and you can’t come here and shout in the lobby.”
Rake places his hand on his father’s arm, the same place the security guard did, and starts pulling him to the door. Mr. Hanson follows, and I just stand there like I’ve been stung by a thousand bees.
Jonas and Tyler come running out, having heard the ruckus. “Petal, are you okay?”
I nod, not wanting to speak, because I know my voice will break.
“He’s a piece of work, Rake’s dad. Don’t let him get to you,” Tyler says, putting a hand on my shoulder.
I nod. “Thanks, guys,” I mumble
Fuck. They must have heard the whole thing. So embarrassing.
“Do… do you guys think I’m messing up Rake’s life?” I ask quietly.
Jonas pulls me to him. “Oh, honey. Don’t listen to that man. There’s always some jerk who says that to every woman who dates an athlete.”
“Or in their case, marries,” Tyler adds.
Jonas releases me and holds me at arms’ length. “You’ve made a difference in Rake’s life, honey. That’s all you need to know.”
I blink and a couple tears run down my face.
