Page 136 of What If I Knew You

Wiping tears from his eyes and finally calming down he says, “Well, damn Roche. I certainly hope she was gentle with you, because if she’s anything like her mother was…”

I shake my head trying not to cringe too hard. “Some things I don’t need to know, Sir. It’s probably best we don’t discuss it.”

“Fuck no, we’re not discussing it. There are some aspects of a daughter’s life her father does not need to know and this is one of them.” He shakes the thoughts from his head and continues. “Oh fuck…a virgin. That’s…” he shakes his head again. “That’s something. But listen, as I said when you came in here, I owe you an apology. My actions the other night were misguided, unprofessional, and a bit irrational.”

A bit?

“I’m sorry too, Sir,” I tell him. “I shouldn’t have even had her there in the first place.”

“Nah,” he waves me off, “Between you and me, I did the same thing with her mother on more than one occasion. But maybe don’t tell Corrigan that.” He winks and I finally allow myself to laugh.

Just a little bit.

“Deal.”

“So, what’s the plan for you two. Have you talked about it?”

“Uh, no. Not really. Honestly, because of all the time I spent focusing on hockey, I’ve never really been in a relationship before. So, I’d really like to date her.”

“Date her?” His brows lift. “Isn’t that what you two have been doing for a while now?”

If by dating you mean…fucking.

A lot of fucking.

Then yes.

“We never went out anywhere publicly because we didn’t want to risk being recognized and having you find out before we could talk to you about it. She didn’t want you to find out the way you did, obviously. Regardless though, Corrigan deserves to be taken out on fancy dates and fun dates and I want to be able to show her off in public as my girl.”

The corner of his mouth tips up just enough that I know he doesn’t mind the idea of that at all.

“You know the last guy she was with was a fucking twat. That’s what they say over there in England. They call them twats.”

“Right.” I nod, stifling my laugh. “She told me about him. But I promise you I have no intention of hurting Corrigan, Sir. I’m in love with her and if I have my way, she’ll be wearing my number for the rest of her hockey loving life.”

He nods, his eyes studying me for several seconds before he finally says, “Well, alright then.”

“Okay?”

“Not that you need my blessing,” he says. “Because my blessing doesn’t mean shit, but for what it’s worth, if my daughter has to fall in love with someone, I can appreciate thefact she’s fallen for you. You’re a good man, Bodhi. And I can see that you’re good for her. Thank you for being in her corner.”

Wow.

This is not at all how I expected this conversation to go.

“Uh, yeah. Of course. Anything she needs.”

Coach stands and holds out his hand. “Good luck to you, Roche. My daughter can be a feisty one. She’s headstrong for sure.”

Returning his handshake, I add, “She’s also compassionate, kind, funny as hell, and has great taste in food.”

I follow him as we head for the door of his office and he pats me on the back. “Mario’s?”

My eyes grow at the mention of our favorite Italian restaurant, the subject of which was our first textual encounter and I nod. “Mario’s.”

Once Coach is down the hall and out of earshot, I sprint to the locker room where the guys are getting dressed for tonight’s game against the Chicago Red Tails.

I push open the door and all heads turn, expectant faces watching me to decipher how our conversation went.

---