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“Don’t ever do anything stupid like that. My name might go a long way, but it won’t dig you out of a hole that size. Promise me you won’t make the same mistake as Preston. We have too much riding on your future.”
My entire life has been a series of events leading up to a professional hockey career. I’ve never planned for another future. Hockey is it for me, plain and simple.
“I wouldn’t think of it,” I admit.
“I’m proud of you.” He pins me down with his intense gaze. “You looked good out there. The Senators won because of your last save.”
I roll my shoulders. “We did it as a team.”
The corners of his mouth stretch into a wide grin.
He wouldn’t be happy with me if he knew the shit I’ve done over the last few years at school. Getting called out by The Queen for dick pics wasn’t my finest moment. Almost losing Taylor over it—that was an all-time low. The thought of disappointing my dad hits me like a punch to the gut. My dad’s here because he worries about me. Seeing Preston throw his career down the drain must’ve kicked his parental fear into high gear.
He cups my shoulder with his big hand and squeezes hard. “If you need to talk about what happened tonight, you know you can come to me, right?”
I nod. “Yeah, I know.”
“Your mom really likes Taylor. So does Chloe. She invited her to the house for Easter dinner.” He drops his hand to his side. “She seems like a nice girl. So does her friend. From what I overheard of their conversation, Bex is the reason Preston started that fight. Don’t let women get in the way of your career.”
“Taylor isn’t getting in the way of anything, Dad.” My tone is defensive, maybe a little too aggressive. “If anything, my game has improved since I met her.”
“You’re still in the honeymoon period with her. Once real life kicks in, all of that will change.”
“It didn’t for you and mom,” I challenge.
He stuffs his hands into his pockets and shrugs. “Your mom is different. She turned my life around.”
“Taylor has done the same thing for me,” I confess.
“Do you love her?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
“Love makes you do stupid things. Look at what Preston just did for Bex.”
“How do you know it was for her? Lehane is a dick. He’s always been an asshole to Preston because he’s the best in the league.”
“Was the best,” my dad growls. “And I know what I heard. So did your mother and Chloe. That fight was over Bex. Just ask Preston.”
Confused, I cock an eyebrow at him.
When Preston threw the first punch at Lehane, I was confused as fuck. Now, it all makes sense. He would do anything for Bex. Every time he was on the ice with Lehane, the two were going at it.
But what does Bex have to do with Lehane?
Does she know him? I don’t know how, seeing as he attends college in Boston.
“Don’t worry, Dad. I’m not planning to start any fights over Taylor.”
She wouldn’t need me to defend her, anyway. My girl can kick some serious ass. She’s better trained than every guy on my team put together.
“We better get over to the hospital and see how Preston’s doing,” he says.
While the rest of us stayed behind to shower, the team doctor drove Preston to the closest hospital. His hand looked broken, covered in blood and a bone popping out of the side.
“I’m gonna ride over with the team. I’ll meet you guys there.”
My dad hugs me again, this time harder than the last before he takes a step back from me. “I miss having you around the house. There’s too much estrogen with your mom and Chloe. I want you to come by sometime this week to hang out.”
“I don’t miss walking in on you and Mom making out in the kitchen,” I joke, though I mean every word.
They’re so damn lovey-dovey it drives me crazy. No kid wants to see their parents tearing off each other’s clothes on a regular basis.
He laughs. “It will just be you and me. Promise.”
I say my final goodbye to my dad and take out my phone to text Taylor telling her I will meet her at the hospital. I need to see her. It’s only been a few days, and I miss her so fucking much.
My parents insisted I bring Taylor to their house in South Jersey for Easter dinner. We both stayed on campus for the short break, so it was easy to convince Taylor to come home with me. But now we’re here, and she’s in complete shock over the sheer size of my family’s estate, I’m wondering if I should have told Taylor about this place sooner.
“Holy shit,” Taylor says as I drive through the gates that lead to the main house on the compound. “Is this a mini version of the White House? Jeez, Drake.” Her mouth falls open as she stares out the window in awe. “I knew you were rich but damn…”
