Page 48 of Scores Of The Heart

“There’s a charity game in Florida after the Stanley Cup is over. A couple of our players have been asked to participate, and I’d like a representative behind the scenes. Marcy can’t be there. Unfortunately, she’s booked in for surgery.”

Marcy is the coordinator of all the team appointments, tours and P.R.

“And you want me to go?”

“I wanted to check with you first before I throw your hat into the ring. It’s snapping some photos and just being a rep for the guys. Maybe a couple of press interviews.”

I purse my lips together. One thing I absolutely love is photography, and I’d step in for Marcy any day of the week with their social media pages and candid stuff like that for the team.

“Sure thing.” I shrug. “I’m sure Caitlin will look after Henry if I give her enough notice.”

“Well, it’s not for a few weeks yet, so there should be plenty of time. If Caitlin’s busy, you know we can take Henry.”

“Thanks, Dad. Who are the players going to Florida?” I ask, my pulse quickening in my chest. I am trying beyond hope to be cool with my dad and not act weird.

Why do I want him to say Tyler’s name?

“Ashton and Taylor. Maybe Tyler, if one of them can’t make it.”

I feel Andrea look up at me from her monitor.

“Um, yeah. I mean, sure. Why not,” I babble.

Oh god, could I be that lucky to have a charity weekend away with Tyler there? The thought of getting away from everything we know at home is quite welcoming.

It’s either a pure genius stroke of luck, or completely insane and asking for trouble.

I can’t quite work out which yet.

Dad claps his hands together and makes me jump. “That’s great, honey. You’ll be fine, the guys will take care of you. I’ll get the dates from Marcy and get it booked in.”

“Sounds good, Dad.”

Little does he know I’m meeting up with one of his precious guys in less than an hour to have coffee with. I don’t even want to think about what his opinion would be on that. Yes, he’s a hard man, but he’s fair in so many respects.

And he’s always kept me and Caitlin on the straight and narrow, without all the religious stuff that Mom tried to ram down our throats. Dad shied away from the church after we left Buffalo.

I know he still has his beliefs, but he’s not so heavily involved with it all now.

They never truly suited each other now I look at them separately.

Dad put up with it as long as he could, I guess.

“You’re not going to go to Florida?” I ask Dad before he leaves. He didn’t mention it, but I want to check just in case.

He shakes his head. “Nope. I’ve promised Angel a break right after the finals are all over. If the team makes it that far. I’m sure we will. But as soon as the season ends, I’ve assured her I’ll give her a vacation.”

“Happy wife,” I chortle.

I feel Andrea look at me again. I glance at her and give her a quick shrug. I can feel she wants to laugh, the edges of a smile skirts around her lips.

“No truer words,” Dad says, standing up and giving me a swift kiss on the head. “I’ll see you later. Thanks, sweetheart.”

“No problem, Dad.”

“Good afternoon, Coach Carter,” Andrea nods as he passes by and gives her a smile and a nod.

I giggle as Dad leaves. “What are you living in, mid century England?” I mock how formal she just sounded as she throws an eraser at my head, narrowly missing me.

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