Page 49 of Tempting the Goalie
“If I were to date you, I would need to formally ask your dad. He’s traditional and I respect him.”
“Daddy is the least of my worries. My brothers still think I’m a teenager who needs saving. Especially Asher. He was playing the protective big brother role at dinner.” She rolls her eyes.
“I’m terrified of your brothers,” I admit. “If they find out I’m sleeping with you, they’ll beat my ass.”
She laughs. “Come on, we better get out of here before one of them comes looking for us.” She shifts off me and extends her hand to pull me up. I swing my arm over her shoulders and we head back to the main house. I named her Mon coeur a long time ago. Little did I know this girl would have my whole heart one day. I just hope we aren’t setting ourselves up to crash and burn because I haven’t seen a relationship that lasts, so why should we be any different?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Isabelle
“Hi, honey,” Daddy says.
“You’re home early,” I reply.
“I wanted to see you.” He smiles, but his eyes look tired. He’s getting close to retirement, but I don’t see him hanging up the badge anytime soon.
I check the time on my phone. “I have about half an hour to hang out. Eric made some roasted chicken and vegetables for dinner. Do you want me to make you a plate?”
“That would be great, honey. Where are you running off to?” Daddy asks as we make our way into the kitchen. I warm up the food since Eric makes the meals for the house late at night and pops them in the fridge.
“Luc is babysitting Braden tonight. I told him I would help him out. Elyna needs a night
off,” I explain.
“Charles has been on a bender for quite some time. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the man is a functioning alcoholic most of the time, but Kammy has been putting in calls at least twice a week for his rowdy behavior,” Daddy warns. Kammy is the barowner of one of the most famous bars in town, The Frosted Mug. “You be careful around that man. I know Charles doesn’t mean to do any bad most of the time, but he gets messy drunk and it isn’t pretty.”
“I’ll be careful, Daddy, don’t worry.” I lean up and peck his cheek. “I feel sorry for Elyna and Luc.”
“Do you and Luc know what to do with a baby?” Daddy asks.
“Not exactly”—I grin— “but we’ll figure it out together.”
“I don’t doubt it. You two have always been quite a pair,” Daddy says. He looks at me strangely, or maybe it’s just me being paranoid that he knows what Luc and I are up to because he’s a cop and he just knows things.
“Yeah.” I laugh it off. “See you, don’t wait up.”
It isn’t unusual for me to tell Daddy not to wait up for me when Luc and I are hanging out, but this time it feels different, maybe because I’m planning sexy times for later with Luc.
“Good night,” I say as I head out the front door.
I’m wearing flip-flops and a tank top. I take in the warm fresh air. This May has been above seasonal in Val-Du-Lys and I am not complaining.
Even though our properties are next to each other, it takes me five minutes to walk over there since the property on our side is so large.
I make it to the front door of the Chabot home and knock. The house looks the same, old and run-down. Mr. Chabot isn’t on top of its maintenance. Luc tries to do some upkeep during the summer months when he’s home, but it doesn’t seem to be enough.
Luc opens the door in a wifebeater and basketball shorts slung low on his hips. “Make yourself comfortable. Papa isn’t home.”
“Don’t I get a kiss hello?” I laugh because he looks stressed.
“Sorry.” He spins and pecks my mouth quickly. “Elyna left an hour ago. I’m losing my mind.”
I follow Luc into the family room where there is a ragged old off-white couch with a floral pattern and an old television on the wall. Beside the couch is a bassinet/playpen and inside is the cutest little baby in a pair of blue shorts and a white undershirt. He’s playing with his tiny feet and smiling up at Luc and me.
“Oh my goodness, you’re so adorable.” I reach into the bassinet and pick up the little guy. I hold him up in the air in front of me and make funny faces at him. He starts laughing and makes the cutest sound. “Aren’t you a handsome little guy. What has your uncle so nervous?” I ask and I lower him and hold him on my side.
“How do you know what you’re doing?” Luc asks.
