Page 76 of Between the Blue
“Addie Dixon,” I say, taking her hand in mine. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s–Wait…” I cut off. “Did you sayBarrett? As in…?”
“Coach Barrett,” Caroline nods, smiling tightly. “Dear old Dad.”
“Oh, wow. I had no idea…” I stammer. “I mean, I saw you on the bench talking to Coach. And I saw you hug–speakto…some of the players. I just… I didn’t know Coach Barrett had a daughter,” I finally finish, dumbly.
“Yeah, I don’t exactly go out of my way to advertise that he’s my dad,” Caroline says, an odd shift in her tone being the first ounce of uncertainty I’ve seen from her.
“Why not?” I ask. Everyone loves Coach Barrett. I couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t want people to know they’re related.
“Kind of a long story, but, to make it short, I’m working towards being an NHL commentator.” She takes a sip of the mojito in her hand.
“And…?” I push when she doesn’t add anything else.
“And I want to get there because I worked my ass off for it and am the best in the game,” she says, squaring her shoulders. “Not just because my daddy’s a coach. It’s hard enough being a woman in sports. If I can avoid the nepo baby comments as much as possible, it will make the process that much less grueling.”
“Oh,” I nod, understanding her. And liking her more by the minute.
“I’m working under the Storm’s rinkside reporter right now while I’m finishing up my master’s in broadcast journalism,” Caroline explains.
“That’s amazing,” I tell her honestly. “It’s really cool that you’re so passionate about hockey and have your dad to share that with.” My Nana is my biggest supporter, and I love her for it, but I couldn’t even imagine having parents to share and grow in my hobbies with. I think I’d have given anything for that. “Forget the nepo baby comments.”
Caroline smiles, stirring her straw in her drink. “I know I should probably be sick of hockey, growing up with it my whole life and all, but I just can’t hate it. Even if I may have tried in my annoying preteen years. I love it so much. But, unfortunately, that’s not enough for all the people at home to see me as an expert on the sport. So, ” she pauses, waving her hand in a circular motion towards the guys, “I’m around a lot.”
It would make sense then why Ben was so comfortable with her. If she’s been around with her dad for years. Of course. She’s around a lot.
“Not nearly enough, if I may put my two cents in,” Rhett says, suddenly appearing behind Caroline’s shoulder.
“Well, I guess Randall really is sticking to his guns on welcoming anyone in here,” Caroline quips.
Rhett scoffs, walking around to stand between us. He puts his elbow on my shoulder, leaning down to talk close to my ear. “Don’t listen to a word about me out of this one, Little Dixon.”
I look between him and Caroline, my brows raised.
“Cub here has it out for me,” Rhett tsks.
“Cub?” I repeat, already finding Caroline rolling her eyes.
“The guys call my dad Bear,” she says. “It’s stupid. Just ignore him. I do.”
“You don’t have to, you know,” Rhett says with a smirk, standing back up to his full height. “I don’t bite, Baby Bear. Unless you’re into that.”
He winks, and Caroline makes a gagging sound.
“Only in your dreams, Sutton.”
Rhett tilts his head at her. “How’d you know?”
She points at him. “You’re disgusting.” Then she points at me. “You’re my new best friend.” And then she turns her finger on herself. “And I need a bathroom break, so, if you’ll both excuse me.”
And with that, Caroline sets off, flicking her hair back and dropping her empty mojito glass on a table before strutting in the direction of the bathroom like the bar floor is a runway.
“God, she’s something, isn’t she?” Rhett mutters, staring after her, something more in his eyes than the usual flirtatious look I see him giving the thousands of girls screaming after him at the games.
“She certainly is,” I agree.
“You wanna join us over here?” Rhett asks.
“Oh,” I spin around, facing the long table the players are gathered at. “Sure–”
