Page 155 of Collide
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Watching a hockey game with my daughter. Someone told me being a dad has nothing to do with spending money and everything to do with spending time.”
I smother a smile. “Sounds like a very smart person.”
“She is.”
There’s a twinge in my chest. “How did you even know I’d be here? Aiden only found out this morning that he’s playing.”
“Lucky guess.”
“Preston.” We turn to Dean Hutchins's deep voice. “Want to grab a beer in the box? I got your favorite.”
My dad clasps his hand with a smile. “Another time. I got my sports buddy right here.”
“Of course, Summer Preston. Great fundraiser last month.”
My eyes bounce between them. “Thank you, Dean Hutchins.”
“Call me Cal. Your dad and I go way back. I bet Divya can tell Summer some of our stories.”
My dad chuckles. “Probably better if she doesn’t.”
Calshakes with laughter. “Well, you’re both welcome to join us in the box whenever you like.”
“Thanks for the offer, but rink side is the place to be if Summer’s going to give the refs hell.”
I smile. We might not be as close anymore, but he remembers how I am at hockey games. Cal pats my dad’s shoulder before heading for the box. The friendly gesture makes the wheels turn in my brain. “It was you.”
“Hmm?”
“You got the suspension reversed after I called Mom.”
My dad turns to me with a smile.
“You did!” A warmth settles over me. “Thank you.”
He looks taken aback. “Don’t thank me, honey. I know what a big deal this is, and if that boy was willing to miss one of the biggest games of his college career just so my daughter would be happy, I could pull a few strings.”
I lunge to hug him so tight I feel like I’m trying to soak up all the years we missed out on. Our relationship is far from perfect, but this beginning feels monumental.
When we make it to our seats, I almost trip when I see Aiden’s grandparents. “You made it!”
“When Lukas Preston calls to invite you to a hockey game, you don’t refuse. Thanks for setting this up, Summer,” says Eric.
Calling my dad after spring break took a bite out of my ego, but if it means Aiden’s grandparents can see him play I don’t mind. When I asked my dad to send over a driver for them, he was more than happy to provide one. What I didn’t expect was when I called my mom to tell her we didn’t need the car anymore, my dad heard about it and got Aiden on the ice tonight.
“He’s going to be so happy to see you.”
“Coach Kilner let us surprise him in the locker room.” A ring of happiness expands in my chest, and I hope one of the guys got it on video so I can cry happy tears later.
When the Dalton Royals make their entrance Aiden skates along the boards, and we bang on the glass as he glides by, his white teeth gleam through his cage. The rest of the guys are behind him, and of course, Dylan starts to figure skate. The home crowd loves it, and cheers consume the arena when he spins a double axel. It doesn’t last long because Coach shoots him a glare that drops him back to stretches.
When the game starts, I try not to drool over how hot Aiden looks since my Dad and Aiden’s family are beside me. But Amara elbows me like an excited schoolgirl whenever he passes by us or bangs into the boards. Sitting rink side means the referees hate me, but I don’t let that keep me from speaking my mind.
When Aiden scores two goals, and we almost climb over the damn glass in excitement. Each intermission raises everyone’s blood pressure because the game has been tied since the start of the second period. When we resume, it’s a brutal start for Dalton because Sebastian Hayes gets cross-checked badly enough that he’s carried off the ice. The Yale player gets a five-minute major, leaving his team short-handed, and everyone cheers when he’s sent to the sin bin. By the third period, my Dad and I are on the edge of our seats.
Aiden glides across the ice with an ease only he possesses. Every time the puck is in his possession, it’s clear why he carries the title of the fastest NCAA athlete. There’s nothing I love more than seeing him do what he’s passionate about. Even as the last seconds drain and the result is a toss-up, I know he’ll be happy either way.
