Page 19 of If You Love Me

“Of course. I appreciate it.” He taps on his desk. “Hammer’s doing great, by the way.”

“She’s really embracing the job.” Initially I wanted her to spread her wings, explore another industry. But this is her passion, and working with this team is her happy place.

“She is, and she has a great career ahead of her.” Vander Zee claps me on the shoulder. “Thanks for agreeing to sit down with Alexandria. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”

“No problem, Coach.” A lobotomy to remove the memories of that weekend would go a long way toward making this season manageable.

CHAPTER 8

ROMAN

Ifind Peggy in her office, sitting at her computer, dressed for business and looking like she belongs. Having her in the Terror office during my final season is the best gift. I miss the days when she needed to be taken care of, when she’d come to me with her problems and bounced ideas off me. But she’s happy and thriving, and that’s what’s important.

“Got time for lunch with your dad?” I hold up the takeout from her favorite Thai place.

She smiles widely. “I sure do! Come on in.”

We take a moment to rearrange her desk and make room to eat. “Hemi out today?”

“She’s at a promo op with Kellan Ryker. He’s been good on the ice so far.” She hands me a set of chopsticks.

I pass her the yellow curry pad thai. “Yeah, he has a solid skill set and a good head on his shoulders. He’ll be great in net.”

She tips her chin. “How are you feeling about the beginning of the season?”

“It’s a lot of change. Just getting my head around it.” There are so many layers. I’m ending a twenty-year career, my daughter is moving in with my best friend, and basically alreadylives with him, and I have to work with the woman of my dreams for an entire year. There’s no grand plan for what’s next yet. My agent and I have discussed options, but I’ve shot anything down that would involve moving away from Peggy. I won’t put physical distance between us. She’s too important.

“Lexi seems like a good fit.” Peggy twirls some noodles onto her chopsticks.

“She knows hockey, but she’ll have to learn the team.” I poke at my lunch, appetite waning as we veer into uncomfortable territory.

“That’ll come with time.” Peggy’s tone shifts to empathy. “I can’t even imagine being in her position.”

“You mean being the first female assistant coach in the league?” It’s a big deal—for Lexi, the league, women in sports.

“Obviously that, but I mean her family situation.”

A hot spike shoots down my spine. “What about her family situation?” I didn’t see a ring on her finger, but that doesn’t mean she’s single.

Peggy’s brow furrows. “She has guardianship of her half-sisters. Her parents died last year in a boating accident. I mean, she still has her dad, thank God, but she lost her mom and stepdad. She’s raising her sisters by herself. Can you imagine?”

That’s a gut punch. When I looked her up, I was focused on her career, not her personal life. I’d thought it impressive that she chose to move from the Windsor team, which was performing well, to Niagara, who was at the bottom until she came on board, especially since it must have come with a pay cut. Now I wonder if that decision had to do with the loss of her parents.

I put my takeout container down. “I didn’t realize. When did you find this out?”

“Yesterday, when we were at the Watering Hole,” Peggy replies.

“I’m surprised Vander Zee hasn’t said anything about it.”There were pictures of her and her sisters on her social media, but I just assumed they were close, not that she was functioning as their sole parent. If I’d been less focused on myself and my feelings, I might have learned this when I drove her home yesterday. But I didn’t leave much room for sharing personal details. Especially not sensitive, emotional ones.

“It’s not really his place to divulge that, is it?” Peggy asks.

“No. It’s not. He asked me to give her some guidance.” I pick up my takeout again, and continue pushing noodles around. “I’m supposed to meet with her after lunch.”

“That’s great! She can learn so much from you.” Peggy’s eyes light up. “And maybe she’ll say something about her sisters. If anyone can empathize with raising a daughter on your own, it’s you.”

“Wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Peggy is the light of my life.

“Me neither.” She hugs my arm. “Love you, Dado.”

---