Page 14 of One Night with my Best Friend's Dad

The kiss turns desperate, hungry, as need radiates off him.

My hands slide up to tangle in his hair, holding him close as the kiss deepens. My heart thuds against my breastbone and every nerve in my body tingles with his touch. I’ve missed this, missed him, so much.

When we finally break apart, breathless and flushed, I gaze up at him with a smile that makes my face ache.

“I...I have to go home,” I murmur, hating the way his face falls. “To California. To tell my parents about us.”

Mac cups my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. “Then I’ll come with you,” he says, determination burning in his eyes.

I blink, stunned. “But—” I chew on my lower lip, worry gnawing at me. “My father...he won’t like this. The age gap...” I trail off, shaking my head. “Maybe I should do it alone.”

Mac pulls me into his embrace, his brawny arms cradling me. “I’m not letting you do it by yourself.”

I nod, wanting to believe him, but the fear still grips me.

“What if he doesn’t understand?” I whisper, burying my face in the crook of Mac’s neck. “What if my parents can’t accept this?”

“Shh,” he soothes, stroking a hand down my back. “They’ll come around.”

I pull back slightly, searching his face. “You really want this? Us?”

Mac’s lips curve into a tender smile as he cups my face. “More than anything, Kelly.”

I blink back tears, overwhelmed by the emotions swirling within me. “Okay,” I breathe. “Let’s do this.”

Chapter 6

Mac

Deciding to go to California the day before hockey training resumes wasn’t one of my best decisions. But I found a hotel near the airport and hired a car to drive to Kelly’s home—her parents’ home.

I take a deep breath as I get into the car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. I never felt so nervous, not even when we played for the Stanley Cup two years ago.

The short drive to Kelly’s feels like an eternity. My heart pounds with dread as I wonder if her parents will put her off a man who is nearly double her age.

I can't accept I’m too old for Kelly. Yes, I know this whole situation is complicated and messy, but the thought of losing her and my baby is more than I can bear. I need them, more than I ever imagined I would. And because of that, nothing will stop me.

As I pull up to her house, my palms are sweaty on the steering wheel, and I know this is not just the California heat.

After getting out of the car, I walk up to the front door and knock. My stomach twisting in knots as I wonder if her parents will slam the door in my face. Or if they demand I stay away from their daughter.

The door swings open, and her mother stands there, arms crossed over her chest, eyeing me warily. “Mr. Hawthorn, this is unexpected.”

I swallow hard at her guarded tone.

I’ve met Kelly’s parents on a couple of occasions, mainly Piper’s birthday parties when she was younger, but I don’t know them that well.

“Kelly already spoke to us,” she adds.

“You know?” I try to keep my voice steady.

She hesitates for a moment, then nods and steps aside, allowing me to enter. “It was quite the shock.”

As I make my way into the living room, I see Kelly’s father seated in a chair by the window, the morning paper in his hands. He looks up, his brow furrowing at the sight of me.

“What the hell is he doing here?” he yells, and I can’t help but feel like I’m about to face the firing squad.

“I—” I pause, trying to find the right words. “I’m not here to say sorry. I’m here to tell you. I promise I’ll look after Kelly and our baby.”

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