Page 42 of The Sweet Spot

Damn it, Isla.

I haven’t even discussed our plans with Brynlee, and now I’m talking about them with Kennedy at the grocery store. I wasn’t even sure if we were really going for this weekend, but I guess that answers that.

“Are you okay with that?” I ask before confirming anything, unsure of the protocol here since I’ve never introduced anyone to Kennedy before.

“Does it matter if I’m not?”

My kid is nine going on nineteen.

“Yes. It will always matter,” I reassure her, looking around to make sure I’m not drawing attention to myself. “Your feelings will always matter to me.”

“I guess it’s fine. But I don’t know her, so it’s kinda weird.”

“The best way to get to know someone is to spend time with them, sweetheart. But your mom and Shaun and I will all be there with you.” So not the fucking conversation I want to be having in public.

Kennedy is quiet for a little too long for my liking. “Do you not want to meet her?”

“No,” she’s quick to answer. “It’s just... different.”

“Different isn’t always bad.”

“I know. But... I’m not gonna call her mom.”

“Ken—” My words get stuck in my throat. This kid is getting so much thrown at her right now. “You have a mother. And she’s incredible. But the same way that you have me as your awesome dad and love Shaun as your stepdad, you can have Mom as your mom, and you can like Brynlee without feeling guilty for it.” Holy fucking hell, I’m dodging bullets left and right, and it’s barely noon.

“I guess,” she muses, less than enthused. “Can we get a dog?”

And just like that, the subject changes, and I add a few bottles of wine and some beer to my cart. I think I’m going to need a drink by the end of today.

Iwouldn’t call myself a relocation pro, but I’ve done it enough in my life to be comfortable in a new home pretty quickly. And this house makes it easier than any before it. The Kingstons have set me up in the exact lakefront home Brynlee said they would. A one-year lease, covered by King Corp., is in my contract with the option to buy at any point during that time. I’m grateful Hunter thought to have that part added because this place is great. It’s got character, space, a view, and one hell of a security system.

It’s a mix between high-end and homey. Reclaimed wood beams stretch across vaulted ceilings, and whites, grays, blues, and greens dominate most spaces but don’t feel untouchable. An interior designer’s hand is on every inch. And they clearly have better taste than I ever could, so I’m happy to appreciate it and happier that there’s very little I have to change in this five-bedroom, six-bathroom beast of a house. With a home gym, theater room, and an office with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and one of those ladders on wheels attached, no luxury has been missed.

It’s also got a balcony that wraps around the entire second and third floors of the house which I plan on bending Brynlee over when she gets here tonight.

But first things first. I finish unloading the groceries, making mental notes of the things I missed. Like paper plates and napkins. Staples in my life because seriously, does anyone actually enjoy doing dishes?

I’ve just finished seasoning the steaks when a knock on the glass kitchen door catches my attention, especially when I look up and find a familiar face standing on the other side, holding a six pack of beer in one hand and a tray of cookies in the other.

I open the door, and Jace Kingston lifts his hands up to me. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

“Thanks, man. Come on in.” I step aside and watch him put the cookies down, then take out two beers and offer me one.

“It’s been a long time, man. Congratulations on the job.”

I take the beer with a laugh. “News moves fast around here.”

“If you think it moves fast in this town, you should see the speed of light it hits in my family.” He clinks his beer with mine. “I was glad you took the job. You were my first pick when Max asked. Now I’m hoping the beers loosen you up, so I can be your first pick.”

“Not following you, man.” Jace is a solid decade older than me. But I’ve looked up to him. He was the first professional athlete I ever knew. But that was because I knew him before he was drafted. “I thought you were retired. You want back on the ice?”

“Nah, man. My wife would have my balls if I thought about playing again. One too many surgeries made sure that’s not in the cards. But I’m fucking bored as shit. And I only know one thing. Hockey. I know it fucking well. And I know this team even better. Let me help you win the next Cup.”

I look at Jace Kingston and wonder how this is my life.

When did I get to the point where one of the greatest guys to ever lace up a pair of skates is asking me for a job?

“I don’t have final say. I’ve got to run it by Max and get his okay before I could bring you on, but I think you’d be a real asset to have on this team. Any issues with you and your brother I should know about? I mean, you could have gone directly to him, right?” I’m not sure of this family’s dynamic yet, and don’t want to fuck it all to hell on my first day as head coach if I can help it.

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