Page 554 of Lodestar

“Fine. So, what’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing, I swear.” He even raised his hands. “Not like I had to go far. I’m in the same building as you now.”

I still didn’t believe him.

He huffed again. “I guess I just wanted to visit and Liam told me that everything’s settled with the Rabid Wolves too so I had to thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me. He’s family.” I thought about the basket of candy he'd sent me six or so weeks ago. "Plus, I'm not running out of junk food any time soon since he sent me a treasure trunk of the stuff. That's thanks enough."

He shook his head with a soft laugh. “You’re the best of us, Conor, do you know that?”

“Hardly. Anyway, I’m glad his problems are settled. Is… everything else under control?”

“He says so. Got himself into the NHLPA Player’s Assistance Program.” He hitched a shoulder. “Doesn’t share much with me for obvious reasons.”

Tilting my head at him, I asked, “Do you want us to buy a hockey team in the city?”

“What? So he could play here?” He frowned. “You’d do that for me?”

“Family. Remember?” That was all I said before I blitzed his drink too, but I split his between an extra glass so I could share.

As he accepted the milkshake, he stared down into the concoction, muttering, “He wouldn’t thank you for the suggestion. I was a shitty da, Conor.”

“Don’t you want to make up for it?”

“I do, but I doubt he’ll let me.”

“Don’t you think he should be around family? Just in case his situation deteriorates?”

He palmed his chin. “I mean, sure, I guess. But you can’t just buy an ice hockey team, Conor.”

“Why not? We bought a shitty soccer team. Why not add a great ice hockey team to the portfolio?”

Paddy chuckled then took a sip of his drink. “This is good.”

“She likes it with coconut milk. Always makes it taste better.”

“Huh. Didn’t know you could milk a coconut.”

I sighed. “You need to borrow books from Kat, Paddy.”

Because my godfather had inherited all the good nature from my grandmother and my da none of it, he laughed, deep from his belly. “You might be right there, Kid.” When I just chuckled, he peered at me. “You’re tired.”

“It’s been a busy couple of days.”

“Lena told me about this gala Star’s planning. She’s excited about the dress she’s bought.”

“You taking her?”

He looked at me over his glass. “Would you have a problem with that?”

“No.”

“Maybe, then.”

---