Page 32 of Wake Me Up
I smile, agreeing with him. “He does, and oddly enough, Walker was actually kind of, like, Cam’s replacement at Brooks University back in their college days. Coach LaConte lucked out big time when they gained Walker after losing Cam.”
“I’d say,” he says, eyeing me over. “I heard the Sharks got a new goalie. You’re not planning on retiring, are you?”
I have to chuckle at how straightforward he is for not being a reporter and not really knowing me. I don’t really know how to even answer it because I don’t know the answer myself.
“Nah. Not yet anyway.” I clap my hands lightly, ready to change the subject. “How’s Aviana doing? Happy to be home, I bet.”
He pulls his hat off, scratching his head before pulling it back down. “I think she’s doing all right. Better than the rest of us, I’m sure.” He grimaces. “Hate the thought of that little angel being on an operating table, you know.”
The fear is written all over his face, and I can’t say I blame him. Surgery is a big deal in any case, especially when it’s brain surgery. But it’s on a child. A tiny seven-year-old child. He has every right to be nervous.
“Yeah, I can’t imagine what y’all are going through. Wish there were something I could do to help. You know … Aviana,” I utter, not wanting to sound too invested because sooner or later he’s going to catch on that I care more than I should about Freya and her kids. He’d probably assume I’m trying to take advantage of his widowed daughter, and I don’t want that.
“Giving us this night out helped the entire family.” His expression becomes somber as he watches his grandsons now talking to his father-in-law. “The girls had a night in, and we all got to come out for this game and meet some of the best players in the NHL. Thank you, Tripp. Sure meant a lot to all of us.”
I fight the urge to shift around on my feet because even though he’s being nice as hell, he’s making me uncomfortable as fuck because he’s lookingat me like I’m a great guy. In reality, I want his daughter—badly. But I am glad that I was able to help his family out, even if I wish I could do more.
“Boys, you ready to head home?” he calls to Cash and Cane. “Before your mama has my ass for having you out too late.”
As if on cue, Cash yawns. “Good idea. I have practice at seven thirty in the morning.”
Cane throws his arm around his brother lazily before rubbing the top of his head aggressively. “You’ll be okay, golden child. You’re good for it.”
When Cane drops his arm from his brother, he walks over to me and holds his fist out. “Thanks, Tripp.”
I bump my fist to his just in time for Cash to hold his out.
“Yeah, thank you. This was fun.”
“Anytime, really.” I mean it too. I like this family, and I’d get them tickets anytime they asked me.
Even though that’s weird.
Ol’ Grump—I mean, Gramp—surprises me when he holds his hand out. He doesn’t smile at me, but when I shake it, he nods once.
“Thank you,” he utters.
I try not to smile because it’s clear he’s putting his pride aside for a second.
Before he drops my hand, he moves closer to my ear so that only I can hear his words and gives my hand a firm squeeze. “Don’t hurt my granddaughter though, you hear? She’s special.”
“No, sir. I don’t plan to do that,” I answer promptly, not knowing what he expects me to say.
It’s not like we’ve even gone on a date or anything. This dude is getting ahead of himself.
They all turn and walk away, but before they get out of sight, I call after them.
“See you next week on the ice, Moneybags!” When he and his brother both look over their shoulder at me, I point toward Cane. “And you ought to join too.”
“Nah … but if you want to go to the indoor batting cages and hit a few, I’m all in,” he tosses back, amused.
And then they are gone, and even though I’m glad I got to see them … I wish like hell I could see their mom.
Parked on Portland’s downtown pier, I sit in my car, staring out at the boats. So many times, I’ve sat in this spot and gazed at the ocean, pondering life. Normally, I’m all alone—or maybe I’d have a sleeping baby in the back seat that I drove around for hours, trying to get them to fall asleep. But this time is different. Any minute now, I’ll be joined by Tripp. Because when I texted him late last night when I couldn’t sleep and asked to meet, he instantly answered and agreed.
I think I may be the one losing my mind because I’m actually considering marrying Tripp for his health insurance. I was up all night, thinking about it, and even though I could just borrow the money from my parents or from Tripp, this seems to make more sense because, this way, it’s the insurance that’ll pay for it.
His large, dark truck pulls in beside me, and he rolls his window down, prompting me to do the same. His hair is still wet, and the morning sun hits his blue eyes, lighting them up while he looks me over.
