Page 83 of Playoff

“Yeah, but…” He doesn’t have to verbalize his question.

“Dad knows. He also knows he could get me fired if he opens his mouth, so he’ll behave.”

Blake nods. “Okay.”

“You all right? How’d it go with your dad last night?”

“It didn’t. He passed out the minute they got back to the hotel, and I didn’t bother meeting up with them this morning. It’s a hassle.”

“Blake.” Dad comes around the corner and the two men eye each other.

“Nice to see you, Mr. Taylor.” Blake shakes his hand politely.

“You’ve been playing well,” Dad says. “I hope you’re keeping your nose out of trouble and focusing on hockey.”

“Yes, sir. I’m doing my best.”

“Dad, come say hi to Coach Vanek,” I interject, taking my father’s arm. “Blake has to warm up.”

“Take care, Mr. Taylor.”

“You too, son.”

I practically tug dad down the hall.

“What?” he asks. “I behaved.”

I laugh. “Yeah, I guess that’s as close as it gets to you behaving.”

“I won’t be happy if he hurts you,” Dad mumbles, staring straight ahead.

“Believe me, no one will be more pissed off than me,” I respond. “But it’s a risk I’m willing to take and you have to respect my choices.”

“I do. I just don’t have to like them. I’m your dad, Rowan. I’m always going to worry, always going to care. That’s part of the job. You’ll see. Someday you’ll have kids and you’ll realize thatnothing is more important than their happiness, and nothing hurts you more than something that hurts them.”

“I know, and I love you, but I’m a big girl. Besides, who’s the guy who once told me his biggest regrets in life were the things he didn’t do?”

Dad sighs. “That’s another thing you’ll learn—that your kids pretend like they’re not listening, but then they turn around and throw shit back in your face.”

I chuckle. “Believe me, I always listen. But then I take the information, process it, and make my own decisions. Now, are you going to continue poking your nose in my personal life or go watch practice?”

“I suppose I’ll be watching practice.”

“Great. Love you, Daddy.”

“Love you too, honey.”

I watch him head down toward the ice and then go in search of Sunny. I have too many things to do to babysit my dad.

“Hey, Rowan, you got a minute to tape my shoulder for me?” Ivan asks.

“Absolutely.” I turn and head down the tunnel.

Dad and Blake are going to have to figure things out, just like Blake and I are.

One day, one step, at a time.

TWENTY-SIX

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