Page 60 of Tempting the Goalie
“Thank you. You get to take the credit. If you hadn’t pushed me into hockey, I don’t know where I would be today,” I say to him, and every word rings true.
“Nonsense. I saw the potential and signed you up to play. You did the rest of the work, Luc. Your drive and will to succeed has been an inspiration to watch.”
“Well, it’s because of you I’m headed to the NHL. We both know that is going to change my whole life.”
“It will, but it isn’t a bad thing.”
“It’s a good thing,” I confirm. “I have my sister and nephew to worry about.”
“I had something to discuss with you,” he says.
“I wanted to discuss something with you too,” I say to him at the same time. “Sorry, you go first.”
“Go ahead, Luc. What’s on your mind?” he asks, placing the cappuccino in front of me. Suddenly my hands are too shaky to take it. I worry how he’ll react to the news of Izzy and me together.
“Thanks for the coffee,” I say to him.
“What’s on your mind?” he repeats.
I blink and take a deep breath. “I uh, wanted. . . things have changed. . .I mean. . .” Damn, I can’t even string a sentence together. “I wanted to ask your permission to date Izzy,” I finally blurt.
Mr. Thorne’s lip quirks on one side. “Aren’t you supposed to ask for that permission before you started dating her?”
My eyes must widen to saucers, which elicits a chuckle out of him. “Sir, I’m sorry. I meant no disrespect. Things just sort of. . .”
He lifts a hand. “Don’t need the details, Luc. You’re a good guy and you’ve always watched out for my Izzy. Always thought you two might get together, so yes, I approve, if that’s what you’re looking for.”
“It is,” I say. I want his approval. I want to feel like I’m good enough to date Izzy. Because being back home with Dad is making me feel like shit.
He reaches out and places a hand on my shoulder. “You’re a good guy, Luc. Don’t let your father’s behavior get to you.”
“Izzy told you what happened last night.”
He nods. “But I already knew your dad was having challenges.”
I lean my elbows on the counter and bow my head. “Sure wish someone would’ve told me what was going on.”
He blinks. “That’s what I’m going to do now. Just remember you’re a good man. Your parents’ decisions shouldn’t affect who you are.”
“That doesn’t sound promising.” I chuckle, my nerves getting the best of me.
“Your dad found letters. In those letters was information about your mom,” he starts carefully. Just mentioning my mom causes a pain in the center of my chest and knowing this concerns her makes it all the more difficult. “I can see how hard this is for you. Under normal circumstances it probably isn’t necessary to tell a child about their parents’ private life, but in this instance you could say the information affects us all.”
“It sounds serious.” My palms begin to sweat, and I rub them against my thighs.
“Helen wrote letters to your mom where she tells her to continue her affair with Kyle Jensen,” he says. The world as I know it spins out before coming into focus again.
“Mom wasn’t having an affair with him. They worked together,” I correct.
“The letters suggest something else. Since your dad learned the truth about their relationship, he hasn’t been the same,” Mr. Thorne says.
I run my fingers through my hair, feeling my insides shaking. “Riley is Braden’s dad. Holy sh. . .I mean, wow, this is making a lot of sense.”
My mind is reeling as I process everything.
“Your father doesn’t like having Kyle Jensen’s grandchild in his home. It’s no excuse for his behavior because that child is Elyna’s too,” he says.
“I agree, now I understand why he’s so unhinged. I’m not making excuses for him though. Elyna was a lot older than me when Mom died. She remembers Dad being an alcoholic back then too. She said he didn’t treat Mom right, and it breaks my heart knowing that.”
