Page 99 of Taylor

“I am,” she said, turning out the light. “I’m also exhausted. Good night.” She reached up to kiss him one last time before turning over for sleep.

Snuggling in behind, he held her to his chest. She wasn’t kidding about being tired. Before he knew it, her breathing turned rhythmic, and she relaxed fully in his arms. He wanted her like this every night and to take care of her because he needed her sunshine. He wasn’t even aware of how much his life had been missing it, but he would do just about anything to make sure it stayed this way.

The next day,they were sitting in a booth, waiting for her dad.

“Are you okay?” she asked, reaching for his hand under the table.

As her fingers intertwined with his, it helped anchor him. It was needed because, as certain as she was that everything would be okay, he was nervous. Two things hung on the line, and they were two things he wouldn’t live without: hockey and Alice.

“I’m good,” he grunted.

She gave him an uncertain glance. “It’s really going to be okay. I swear, he was happy for us last night. And plus, it’s my dad, I know dads are supposed to be big and scary, but trust me, my dad is the family member to meet first. The rest are difficult.”

“Your brother is one of the team physicians, right?”

“Yes, and he’s not bad, either... Really, it’s just my mom and my sister you have to look out for. My dad is amazing. My brother doesn’t give a fuck, but my sister and my mom... seem to give too many fucks.”

Taylor cocked his head. “I’m not sure I’m following. Isn’t caring about you a good thing?”

“No... caring about me is fine. My dad cares about me... My mom and my sister care by thinking they know what is best for me.”

That made sense to him.

“Alice, Taylor,” a voice called from behind him, sending a bloom of nerves up his spine.

He stepped out of the booth and turned to see Coach standing there with a stern expression.

“Coach,” Taylor said with a nod.

“Hi, Daddy,” Alice said as she slipped out of the booth and gave him a hug.

The stern expression evaporated as he hugged his daughter.

“Let’s eat, shall we?” he said, sliding into the booth opposite them. “So, Taylor, I understand you’ve been seeing my sweetAlice.” He looked at him over his glasses, like how he would at players when he would let them have it.

“Yes, sir.”

“And you’re treating her well?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Daddy,” Alice said in an admonishing tone.

A smile stretched across Coach Wagner’s face, and Taylor glanced between the two in confusion.

“I’m just giving you a hard time, son. I’m happy for you guys as long as you treat Alice well. And I know you enough to know she’s in good hands,” he said, offering a kind smile to his daughter. “Now, should we eat? I’m starving.” He picked up his menu.

Taylor did the same, picking up the menu and perusing it for something close to his nutrition plan.

“Daddy,” a voice said next to him who wasn’t Alice.

In fact, she had gone rigid next to him.

“Isabelle, what are you doing here?” he asked, looking up at her seemingly as surprised as they were.

“Scoot over,” she said, gently nudging her father’s shoulder.

“I didn’t know you would be here,” he said, glancing between Alice and Isabelle.

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