Page 35 of Dancing in the Rain

“Chloe was just grilling me about a bad play I made a few years ago,” he told Sara.

Sara turned wide eyes on her daughter. “What do you know about hockey?”

“Lots.” She tossed her hair back. “Jason and Tyler play hockey.”

Drew’s eyebrows pinched together. They better not be boyfriends of hers. “That hit was supposed to be to his shoulder,” he said. “He moved and I got his head. It was an accident, but the rules are the rules and I had to be penalized.”

Chloe nodded. “Jason and Tyler think it’s sick that I have a famous dad.”

“That means—” Sara started to explain it to Drew.

“I get it.” He smiled. “Does that give you some good cred?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Drew shifted on the couch. So far, so good, but this was still awkward as hell. “So you just started seventh grade, right?”

“Yeah.” She made a face.

“How’s that going?”

“Good. I like school. Mostly.”

“What don’t you like?”

She tipped her head. “I don’t like mean kids. I don’t like Mr. Conridge.”

“Math teacher,” Sara supplied.

“I also don’t really like math.”

“No? I was good at math. What’s your favorite class?”

“I like social studies.”

“Huh. What are you learning about?”

“Major societies in history.”

“Sounds fascinating.”Not really.

Peyton walked in and handed him a cup of coffee. Black. She remembered.

“Thanks.” He smiled at her.

“Anything for you, Miss Chloe?” Peyton looked at her niece.

“I’ll have a coffee.”

“No, you won’t.”

“How old do I have to be to drink coffee?”

“Twenty-four.”

Drew grinned at Peyton’s response.

“As if.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “I’ll get myself some juice. Mom, do you need anything?” Chloe hopped off the chair.

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