Page 269 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
Instead, she looks away, says something to Parker, and then lifts her drink to her lips and takes a sip.
“Daddy,” Sutton screams, dragging my attention to where it should be before she crashes into me.
Wrapping her up in a hug, I kiss the top of her head and breathe her in.
For years, I told myself that she was the only girl I needed.
But I’m pretty sure I was lying.
As I lower her, my eyes shoot back over to Casey.
She’s still ignoring me.
“Ready to go, Peanut?” I ask, dragging my attention away again.
“You know I’m not,” she sulks. She always wants to stay longer and mingle with the guys. I can only imagine what she’s going to be like as a teenager.
I can also fully understand why Coach warns every single player away from Casey.
“Come on, it’s getting late,” I say, earning myself a groan in response.
But despite wanting to stay, she takes my hand and walks beside me as we head for the door.
We’re a few feet away when it bursts open as Linc and Rett make their arrival known.
“Rett!” a familiar voice shrieks behind me, and I glance back in time to see both Parker and Casey slipping from their stools and racing over.
“Hey, sis,” Rett says, wrapping Parker in a hug.
I’m about to keep moving when he releases his sister and spins to Casey.
“Hey, Case. You’re looking good tonight,” he states, wrapping her in his arms.
I have to cough to cover the deep growl of possessiveness that rumbles in my throat.
My eyes follow his hands as he slides them low on her back. My fingers twitch with the need to reach out and rip him away from her.
“Would you prefer if I take Sutton home?” Mom asks softly behind me.
“No,” I grunt. “We’re leaving.”
Forcing myself to put one foot in front of the other, I walk away before I do something really fucking stupid.
In a few short minutes, we’re in the parking garage; Sutton is safely strapped in, and I drop into the driver’s seat.
Mom glances at me, but thankfully, she doesn’t say anything, instead allowing Sutton to do her game analysis from the back seat.
By the time we pull up at home, I feel like I’ve experienced the game for a second time tonight.
“Straight up to put your pajamas on,” I say as Sutton hops out of the car.
“Aw, Daddy,” she complains, but without another word, she races up the stairs to do exactly as she’s told.
I don’t follow. Instead, I make the mistake of marching to the kitchen for a drink, giving Mom a moment to say the words that have been on the tip of her tongue the whole ride home.
“Will you please talk to me, Kodie? I can see that you’re hurting, and it’s killing me.”
I swallow the mouthful of water and lower the bottle to the counter, squeezing my eyes closed.
