Page 18 of Face Off
“That’s my girl. Proud of you, Squirt. Where are Mom and Dad? Did they leave you to steer this ship by yourself?”
“No.” She giggles. “They’re getting dressed. Daddy is wearing a tie and Mommy is wearing a dress. It’s very pretty.”
“Absolute knockouts, those two.” I walk down the hall and into the living room, plopping down on the couch and putting her in my lap. “How does pizza sound for dinner?”
“Pepperoni, please!”
“We’re definitely doing pepperoni.”
“Ice cream too?”
“Obviously, kid. Maybe we’ll eat ice cream before our pizza, and we won’t tell the bosses. It’ll be our secret,” I say.
“What will be your secret?” Dallas asks. He stands in the entryway in a gray suit, his hair slicked-back. “Don’t corrupt my daughter, Miller.”
I grin at my best friend of nearly a decade. “Wouldn’t dream of it. You look nice, man. Where are you going tonight? Somewhere with the Titans?”
Dallas is the kicker for the NFL team in town, a Super Bowl champion and one of the fans’ favorite athletes. He almost gave up his career when he became a single dad six years ago, but he found a woman who loves him and his daughter equally. He’s able to balance playing and parenting a lot easier now.
“Dance lessons. Maven is determined we learn the tango for our wedding reception, but I keep stepping on her toes.” He checks his reflection in the mirror and fixes his tie. “Then we’re going to dinner at a new French restaurant. She’s been craving macarons, and apparently this place is really good.”
“Craving, huh? Something you need to tell me?”
“Nope,” Dallas says. “Not yet at least.”
“Bummer. I’m counting down the days.” I stretch my arms out on the pillows and sigh happily. “Stay out as late as you want. We’re off until Monday, and I can take June back to my place if you two want to… you know.”
“You’re really pushing for this, aren’t you? Make one of your own,” he says.
“Nah. I like being Uncle Mav, and I need some more nieces. Maybe a nephew too. Enough kiddos so I can have a full hockey team.”
“Daddy? Can I skate with Uncle Mav?” June asks, and I grin victoriously.
“See? She already has it in her system. Bring her to Family Night at the arena and let me take her for a spin on the ice,” I say.
“Absolutely not,” comes from the hallway. Seconds later, Maven Wood, Dallas’s fiancée and one of my favorite people in the world, appears in the living room. “Our kid is not getting anywhere near a puck. Neither are any of the ones who might come after her.”
“Damn, Mae.” I look her up and down and whistle. “You are smoking.”
“Thanks.” She grins and spins in a circle to show off her dress. I’m used to seeing her in game day clothes and a beanie as our team’s official photographer, but the woman can pull off anything. “And speaking of smoking, I hear you got torched on the ice today.”
“Really?” Dallas’s gaze bounces between us. “I thought you were off today?”
“What the hell? None of my teammates know what happened yet, and I hope I can keep it that way,” I say.
“Word travels fast, Mav. Emerson is Piper’s new roommate, and Piper and I are close. She told me Emerson was beaming pretty brightly when she got home. I would too if I made Maverick Miller look like a scrub. And here I thought you were the highest paid athlete in the NHL.” Maven tosses her hair over her shoulder, and my mouth twists in irritation. “I guess not.”
“She did not make me look like a scrub.”
“Can someone fill me in? I don’t like being out of the loop,” Dallas says.
“Emerson is the Stars’ new left winger,” Maven explains. “She’s insanely talented. Gorgeous, too. A little rough around the edges, but I liked her from the five minutes I spent with her.”
“No wonder Miller is out of sorts. You know how much he loves an athletic woman,” Dallas says.
“That’s my fu—freaking dream girl,” I whine, making sure I don’t drop any f-bombs in front of June. “We had a horrible first meeting, and now I have to play next to her with my tail between my legs.”
“You do remind me of a dog,” Maven says.
