Page 149 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
Thankfully, I was able to get ten minutes alone in the shower to fix the situation before I dived head-first into being a father.
“Is it time to go yet?” Sutton asks as she chases a ball around the kitchen island with a hockey stick.
I chuckle and glance at the clock.
If she got her way, we’d be first at Coach’s house. I, however, would rather be fashionably late.
Today is going to be all kinds of torture. I might want to spend as much time with Casey as possible, but doing so while herfather, the team, and my daughter are with us isn’t quite what I have in mind.
Plus, there’s every chance she wasn’t lying about that bikini…
I drag my hand down my face and glance at the bags sitting at my feet and the platters of food on the counter.
Sutton had the best day of her life when we attended Coach’s barbeque last year. The team was new to both of us, and they invited us in and made us feel like we belonged, just as I’d hoped.
My only regret is not paying enough attention to my new coach’s daughter. She was there—I remember seeing her. But I was so concerned about ensuring Sutton was happy that I didn’t have much time for anything else.
Something tells me that this year will be different.
“Yes, we can go now,” I concede, making Sutton squeal in delight.
She immediately reaches for her Vipers rucksack and throws it on her back before grabbing the grocery bag full of chips and crackers.
The rules are that we bring meat and beer, but when Mom and Sutton went shopping yesterday, they went a little over the top.
I throw my own duffle bag over my shoulder before grabbing the platters of marinated meat ready for the grill that Mom prepared and follow Sutton as she bounces out of the house.
The twenty-minute drive to Coach’s house passes in the blink of an eye, and Sutton’s face is practically pressed against the window as I pull into the drive behind a handful of cars. I breathe a sigh of relief that we’re not first. I’m not sure I’d cope being in a house with only Casey and Coach.
My heart slams against my ribs.
What are you doing, Kodie?
I shake my head. I have no fucking idea.
I know what I should do. I should walk away and force the memories of Casey to the dark depths of my mind.
But I’m not going to.
I can’t.
She’s too addictive. Too tempting.
Holding back from messaging her this morning was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
I’m trying really hard not to look like a crazy stalker.
A laugh bubbles out of me without instruction from my brain.
“Are you okay, Daddy?” Sutton asks from the back seat.
Chastising myself for letting her see that I’m barely holding it together, I suck in a calming breath and turn to look at her.
“Of course. Excited for today.”
“Me too,” she says with a wide smile, which I can’t help but return.
“What are we waiting for, then?” Without overthinking, I push the door open and climb out.
