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As he pulled away, a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Okay, well, hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I sure hope so.”
After a moment, Kassie pulled open the door and slowly walked down the porch towards her car, her hand slipping from his. Luc hung onto the door, not wanting her to leave yet. Her movements were unhurried and her body rigid. The small smile on her lips was forced. Then he realized he never answered her about coffee. Maybe she was hanging back in the hope he’d answer.
“Let me see what’s going on here tomorrow.” Luc nodded over his shoulder in the direction of his dad. “I’ll let you know if we can turn coffee into dinner.”
Her face brightened at his words, as if that was what she was waiting for.
She tilted her head to the side, her whole body more relaxed now. “I’d like that. Goodnight, Luc.” Before turning to leave, she reached out and pulled him into a hug, placing a small kiss on his lips.
He held her for a moment, her sweet apple scent intoxicating him.
“Goodnight again, Luc.” Kassie’s voice was soft and flirty as she turned to leave.
He watched until she drove away. Closing the door behind him and leaning against it, he tried to take a minute to let that moment of having her in his arms be burned into his brain.
“Kassie, huh? She’s pretty. I always knew you had good taste.”
“I need a beer.” Luc brushed by his dad, making a beeline for the refrigerator. He placed the remaining hard lemonade on the shelf to save for the next time Kass came over. Then he grabbed a beer and took a long sip.
“You already had two while your lady friend was here.”
“Well, I can use two more.” His words were sharp, even though he didn’t mean them to be. After that goodbye hug, he was a bit salty that his dad was here. Maybe he would’ve invited her to stay. Or maybe not. Somebody had to be the responsible one. “Sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to sound so curt with you.”
“You want to talk about it?” The older man took a seat across from him in the armchair, and taking a drink of water, he waited.
His dad had his flaws, but all in all, he was a decent father. Sure, Luc had had to put up with a little drama after he got older, but he’d had a good life for a kid without a mom. His dad wasn’t always there, but he did what he needed to do so that Luc could live out his dream.
“Actually, I do.”
His dad chuckled. “I didn’t really think you’d take me up on it. But I’m glad, so let’s talk. What words of wisdom can your old dad give you?”
“Kassie.”
“Yeah, I figured as much.” His dad let out a low chuckle. His genuine enjoyment twinkled in his hazy eyes. “She seems like a sweet girl, and easy on the eyes, too. What’s the problem? I’ve never known you to be shy around the ladies, son.” He wasn’t lying. Luc was known to get any girl he wanted with a single smile. Kassie was not just any girl.
“She’s got me all kind of confused. I really like her. A lot. But did you notice she didn’t even flinch when I introduced her as simply my friend?”
“I did. Does that bother you?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know. Should it?” Luc rested his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his hands. Raking his hands through his hair, he tossed strands every which way. Finally looking back to his dad, he continued. “It’s more complicated than wanting her.”
His father stayed quiet, as if he was waiting for Luc to work out things in his head. Luc knew that nothing he said was making sense. Everything was a jumbled mess, his thoughts, his words, even his feelings.
“When I met her, I didn’t really know who she was, but she damn sure caught my eye.” Nothing was coming out right, and he knew he was confusing his dad more by the scrunched up look on the older man’s face.
“Son, maybe start from the beginning. And by beginning, I mean what exactly is the road block with this girl? Because I sense there is one.”
“You know Kaden O’Conner? One of our goalies? Kassie is his little sister.”
“Oh,” his dad muttered. But that one word held all the words that he didn’t say.
“Yeah. Her last name is what’s in the way.”
“Have you talked to Kaden about it?”
“Well, not exactly talked. He hates the fact that I’m even hanging out with her. And after he found me at her apartment the other morning… Let’s just say there was a lot of yelling and anger, not so much talking. I get that there’s this code among guys and among teammates. But Dad, I’d break every guy rule there was to continue seeing her. It wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t have to work together. That damn code!” Luc slammed his fist on the coffee table. Shaking his now sore hand, he avoided his dad’s stare.
