Page 51 of Power Play Daddies
“I’ve also lost my dad,” I say quietly, the words coming out before I can stop them.
His face softens. “Shit. I’m sorry, Daisy. Was he Coach Ace’s brother?”
“Yeah.” I hesitate, then add, “They didn’t exactly get along.”
His head tilts, curiosity flickering in his expression. “Why not?”
“It’s… complicated.” My stomach twists, but I push past it. “You can’t tell anyone, okay?”
He leans in, his voice low. “I showed you mine. You can show me yours.”
I laugh, even though it’s not funny. “All right. So, my dad and Uncle Ace were supposed to be this unstoppable duo in hockey. Both of them were talented, like, freakishly good. But Uncle Ace… he was ambitious. Too ambitious. There was this game—they were scouted by some big names, and my dad was aboutto score the winning goal. My uncle blocked him, took the shot himself. Ended up getting scouted, and my dad… didn’t.”
“Damn.” Beau exhales sharply. “That’s fucked up.”
“Yeah. My dad always felt like his chance was stolen. And then, to make things worse, my mom—she was a puck bunny Uncle Ace had a thing for—ended up with my dad instead. Kind of like a petty revenge thing. My dad swore that he was always into my mother, but I think it gutted my uncle.”
Beau whistles low. “Talk about drama.”
“Right? And it only got worse. My mom left right after I was born. Didn’t even come to his funeral.”
“Shit,” he says again, shaking his head. “So, you guys don’t talk at all?”
“Yeah. Not with my mother. Definitely not with my uncle. It was always awkward. Well, until I came here.” My laugh is bitter, sharp. “But, no, I don’t talk to her. Don’t really see the point.”
The silence stretches, thick and heavy. Beau shifts closer, his gaze locking onto mine. “That’s… a lot, Daisy. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” My voice is quiet, and I force a smile. “Anyway, that’s my sob story.”
He doesn’t say anything, just reaches out and pulls me into a hug. It’s brief, just a few seconds, but it’s enough to leave me rattled.
When he steps back, his hand lingers on my arm, and for a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. My breath catches, the space between us charged with something I can’t name.
But I break the moment, stepping away quickly. “Thank you for talking to me today.”
He nods, his lips curving into a small smile. “Anytime.”
I watch him leave, the door clicking shut behind him. My breathing’s all over the place, and I press a hand to my chest, trying to steady myself.
I’m packing up the equipment when Kieran strolls in, a smug grin on his face. “Got the new camera,” he says, holding it up like it’s a trophy.
“Great,” I say, not looking up.
He steps closer, his voice dropping. “How about I take you home, fuck you, and we test it out?”
I glance at him, arching a brow. “Tempting, but I’ve got footage to review.”
He leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “Damn, I was really looking forward to it.”
“Uh-huh. Soon.”
“Edging me,princess.I like it.”
“I am not edging you, I promise.” I smile, kissing him again before he leaves, a cocky chuckle echoing behind him.
When I finally get home, Slim’s waiting for me, his tail whipping furiously. I scratch behind his ears, grabbing a glass of wine before collapsing onto the couch.
I text Mason:Rain check on dinner? Something came up.
