But if she is planning on leaving, what does that mean for us?
See? This is why I’ve never wanted to invest in a relationship.
With Ally T, though, there is no other choice but to invest.
When my dad suggested we meet at Dave & Buster’s, I was down. I love this place—games and food? It’s a good time. After finishing everything I needed to at Bellevue, I beat my dad here. So, when he finds me, I’m playing Mario Kart.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I say as he towers over me.
As I look up at him, I realized I’ve missed him. He’s been gone a lot, scouting for the Assassins. It’s weird since he was home nonstop after retiring, but now, it’s like when I was growing up and he was playing for the Assassins. Only I live on my own and pray a lot that my mom doesn’t get murdered by my sisters. So far, so good. But you never know since he isn’t there to referee.
I get up and we embrace. I’ve never been super close with my dad. I love him, very much, and I know he loves me. But growing up, it was always him and Aiden. They always had more in common with their love for hockey and everything else. I think, with me, I was always too smart. I’m not saying my dad isn’t smart, he is, but he struggles to this day with his dyslexia. I think I intimidated him in a way, and for me, I’ve idolized him.
I love who I am, and I’m proud of that, but I’ve always wanted to be what Aiden was to him. I know it won’t happen, though. I’ve had him for all of my twenty years, but Aiden’s only had him for twenty-one of his twenty-eight years. Dad still feels guilty for those seven years he missed with Aiden, so he tries to make up for it, and I understand that. Plus, I know my dad loves me. Completely. I’m not jealous, but I do feel a little inadequate when it comes to our relationship, which is totally my issue. I’m sure if my dad knew how I felt, he would feel horrible, which is why I don’t tell him.
“Hungry?”
“Starved.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders, and we find a table. A waitress comes to us quickly, and after ordering, my dad looks over at me. “Miss you, bud. Haven’t seen you in a while. How’s work?”
“Great, I think I love working for the Bullies more than the Assassins, though.”
Dad grins. “No shit?”
“Yeah. It’s crazy, but I feel I run things at Bellevue, and I have more to do. With the Assassins, it’s only one massive jumbotron, but with Bellevue, it’s two different ones. I know it’s silly, but it’s the truth.”
“Just like your momma, like to run things your way.”
I shrug. “I guess, but I’m stoked.”
“Good. That’s real good, bud.”
“How’s scouting?”
He exhales heavily as our drinks are set down. “Rough. I didn’t realize how overwhelming it would be. I thought I’d go to games and just watch. No, people attack me.” I laugh. “I’m serious. These parents these days, man. I had someone offer me ten grand to scout their kid.”
My jaw drops. “Did you do it?”
He scoffs. “No way. Not only would Elli kill me, but the kid didn’t even know the difference between a backhand and a slap shot.”
My eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, man. Rich people think money controls everything nowadays, but not for me. I’m looking for talent.”
“Which is why Elli chose you.”
He nods. “Add in the fact that she made me retire early, and you’d be right.”
I laugh. “You were going to retire anyway. You cracked, snapped, and popped more than a Rice Krispie.”
He chuckles. “Isn’t that the truth. My hip still isn’t the same.”
I grin. “But it all happens for a reason.”
“You’re right, which is why you’re back home.”
I nod. “Yeah. At first, I didn’t think so. But now, things are going well.”
“Just had to get things in order.”
“Agreed,” I say, leaning on my forearms. “Excited for the wedding circus game?”
Dad laughs. “You kids need to leave Shelli and Aiden alone. They just want to celebrate their love. It’s nice.”
I roll my eyes. “I have to do a group dance.”
He chokes on his drink. “That’s unfortunate.”
“It is,” I say gruffly. “I don’t want to.”
“I can tell.” He chuckles softly. “But it’s going to be a great time, especially the game.”
“So, you’ll play?”
He nods eagerly. “I’m already training. I have two objectives—get a goal, and slam your brother into the boards.”
I laugh loudly. “Great goals, Dad.”
“I thought you’d enjoy them,” he says with a grin, and soon our appetizers appear. “How’s Ally’s season going? I haven’t been able to make a game.”
I nod, a little too enthusiastically. “She’s killing it. They’re undefeated right now, which is awesome.”
“She’s always been a badass setter.”
“I know. I’m not sure how she is going to walk away.”
He scoffs. “She won’t. She’ll join a club, or hell, go back and coach.” I nod in agreement. “Or even scout.”
We share a grin. “I’ll tell her that.”
“Good. She’s a damn good girl.”
“Yeah.” I feel the heat creeping up my neck. I want to burst with how great she really is, but I know she wants to wait. I guess she’s right. It probably is for the best.
“So, I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked you to lunch.”
I look up just as I take a huge bite of a mozzarella stick. “It crossed my mind,” I say around my chewing. “Am I in trouble?”
He shakes his head. “Not at all. You’re my good kid.”
I jerk my head back in surprise. “Am I?”
“Yes, you never cause issues. You’re level-headed and make good choices.”
I eye him. “Aiden makes good choices.”
He gives me a dry look. “That boy has seen more ass than a toilet seat. And somehow, he still landed a great girl. He had me worried he would turn into a younger me.”
I grin. “You turned out okay.”
He flashes a grin back at me. “Because of your mom.” We share a laugh. “And then Stella and Emery, man…” He doesn’t need to say more for me to nod in agreement. “But with you, you’ve always been good. Always had a good head on your shoulders. Always make the right decisions, the smart ones, and never really live on the edge.”
I feign hurt. “You’re making me sound really boring.”
He laughs. “I don’t mean this to offend you, bud, but you tend to be. And there is nothing wrong with that. It makes you who you are, solid and trustworthy.” Not sure where he is going with this, but that doesn’t keep me from reaching for another cheese stick. “Which is why when Aiden told me you started sleeping with Ally, I had a mini heart attack.”
My hand stops midway to my mouth. I meet his knowing gaze, and I swallow past the lump that appears in my throat. “Aiden told you that?”