Page 39 of What If I See You

“Missed you too, Griff. Mr. Hicks and Corrigan invited me to their weekly lunch date so I tagged along. Got to tell him everything about our surprise weekend.”

I raise my brows at her mention of our weekend. “Is that so?”

Coach leans back in his chair. “Sounds like your weekend was a bit life changing, wouldn’t you say, Ollenberg?” He gestures to an empty chair next to Layken and I take it after a brief hello to Corrigan who says hi and then excuses herself to find Bodhi while we chat.

“Life changing indeed, sir.” I smile at my wife and take her hand in mine, noting how soft and cool her grasp is against my clammy, fidgeting hand. I bring her hand to my mouth and kiss her knuckles. “I’m a married man now.”

“You are,” he says with a simple nod.

Guilt washes over me when I steal a glance at my new wife. I see the trepidation in her eyes. The exhaustion of having to cover for me—for us—while at lunch with her best friend’s father. There’s no way that was easy and I owe her one now. Sitting up straight, her delicate hand in mine, I square my shoulders.

“Is there a problem with getting married, Coach? Did I break some rule of conduct?”

His brows lift questioningly. “You did if getting married was some kind of stupid drunken mistake one of my players made while off the ice.”

“And what the hell would give you that idea?”

He leans forward, his elbows resting on his desk. “Oh, I don’t know, Ollenberg, perhaps it’s the fact that you haven’t mentioned being with anyone, to my knowledge, and then on a whim, you come back from a weekend off a married man. And not just to anyone, but to my daughter’s best friend.”

“Forgive me, sir,” I snap back, “but did you have any knowledge of your daughter sleeping with Bodhi Roche before you punched the hell out of him not too long ago?”

Coach’s face reddens and his jaw ticks as he stares me down, but I know I’ve got the upper hand here. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. Seems you’re not as observant as you think you are, Coach, so I’ll ask you to kindly reserve your judgement for somebody else because I don’t have time for this petty bullshit.” I feel Layken squeeze my hand, giving me her support, and that’s all I need to drive my point home.

“Why do you think I got involved with Pacific Children’s Hospital in the first place? It wasn’t you volunteering there and it wasn’t for Corrigan.” I glance over at Layken and find her watching me, eyes wide as she listens to my explanation. “The day Layken walked into my life was a day I’ll never forget and I’ve been crazy about her ever since.”

It’s not all a lie.

She walked into my home several days ago looking like the saddest puppy dog and seeing her in my pajama pants and sweatshirt, comfortable and happy around our mutual friends, it was a core memory for me.

“I’d do anything for her,” I say as I turn my gaze to her once more. This time she offers me a kind smile but doesn’t say a word.

Coach sits back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he silently studies the both of us. After a hefty sigh he shakes his head. “You really love this guy, Layken?” he asks, gesturing to me like I’m the biggest fuck-up and she would be stupid to be with me.

Squeezing my hand once more she looks at me and smiles before answering, “I’m obsessed with him.”

HA!

Oh my God, I could kiss this girl right now.

“Ditto, babe.” I beam back at her, seeing the humor in her eyes. “All the ditto.”

Coach Hicks runs his hands up and down his face and then shakes his head. “What am I going to do with this fucked up generation?”

“With all due respect, sir,” I add. “You only hate what you don’t understand.”

He waves his hand. “Right. Okay. Get the hell out of here you two.”

I waste no time standing up, pulling Layken to her feet, and escorting her to the door, my hand on the small of her back. I guide her down the hall towards the locker room so I can grab my duffel bag and car keys. I think it’s time to get the hell out of here.

“I knew you were obsessed with me,” I tease. “It was nice to hear you finally admit it.”

She stops ten feet from the locker room door and grabs my arm. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. Suddenly I do feel like the world’s biggest fuck up. I bring my hand to her cheek and swipe a lone tear from her face. “Lake, what’s wrong? I’m sorry.” I shake my head concern etching my brow. “I didn’t mean?—”

She blows out a breath and shudders. “I’m good. It’s fine. I’m okay.”

“Okay, but if you’re not…it’s?—”

“Nope.” She shakes her head and rocks from one foot to the other looking up at the ceiling like she’s trying not to cry. “I’m good. Sorry.”

---