Page 292 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
“Dad,” I whisper, emotion crawling up my throat.
“I ran onto that ice faster than I’ve ever moved in my life. I beat the EMTs. I was so fucking scared. But a couple of seconds later, you opened your eyes, looked up at me, and asked if anyone had managed to score.”
An emotional laugh falls from my lips.
“That’s the day I knew for sure that you had hockey in your blood. I also knew that your mom was going to kill me.”
My eyes burn with tears at the mention of her. She supported me wholeheartedly, but that didn’t mean she liked watching me play a sport that was so violent. She never said the words, but I’m sure she’d have been much happier if I’d wanted to be a ballet dancer.
“I tried calling Rivers, but it’s going to voicemail,” Dad suddenly says.
“He’s with her,” I explain. “She was sleeping when I left.”
“Casey?”
“Mmm.”
“Where are you?”
My silence says everything I don’t.
“You’re still there, aren’t you?”
“Sutton asked me to stay, and I was worried about her, so?—”
“Do you want me to come and get you?” he offers.
“No,” I say in a rush. “I’m sure you’ve got more important things to be doing than chasing around after me.”
“I’m never too busy for you, Care Bear. You know that.”
A contented sigh slips past my lips. I do know that. He’s the best father in the world. But right now, I really don’t need him turning up here to take me home.
“It’s fine. I’m having a night in a hotel. I’ll head home in the morning.” I say the words as lightly as possible in the hope he doesn’t read into them.
They have a game tomorrow, I know he’s about to offer again, but he doesn’t have time tocome and rescue me.
If I can’t get a ride with Kodie—obviously my first choice—then I’ll just call an Uber.
“Casey—”
“Honestly, Dad. It’s fine. I’ve got an amazing room with a massive tub. I’m going to call room service and spend the evening working.”
My heart flutters with other possibilities for my evening, but I attempt to shut it down.
That is not how my night is going to go.
“Call Parker, she’ll come and get you. I don’t like the idea of you being in an Uber with a stranger for that long.”
I shake my head, a smile playing on my lips.
It doesn’t matter how old I get; he’ll still try to protect me like the little girl I was.
“I’ll be fine. And I’ll be back well in time for your game.”
“That’s not what’s important.’
“Of course it is.”
