Page 31 of Three Pucking Words
“I wanted to say hello,” she answers. Another beat of silence. Then, “I’ll be in your neck of the woods soon.”
Ah.We’ve got a game against Pittsburgh’s team coming up, which means she’ll be there as their PR point person.
“I saw that on the schedule,” I tell her, wetting my lips and trying to figure out what to say. I’d like to think I’ve always been a good conversationalist, but things have been strained between us since last year. Again, my fault. “Are you looking forward to coming back to New York?”
I can hear the smile in her voice. “I’m excited to see my brother and everybody else. You, too. It’s been a fairly easy adjustment thanks to Alex and a few of his teammates, so I’m grateful.”
It’s not hard to smile knowing that she’s doing well. She’s using her college degree in a field she dominates in. That’s always what I’ve wanted for her. “Good, O-Dawg. I’m glad.”
A peaceful wave washes over me and eases the tension in my shoulders. Because she’s doing well—she’s living her life and happy.
“So what are you up to?” she asks when I don’t offer anything about myself.
“I just came home from dinner with a friend,” I answer easily.
“Ooooh,” she teases. “What kind of friend? Or are we talking about my brother?”
I roll my eyes. “A girl who’s a friend. Seb had plans with his wife and kid tonight or I would have probably crashed their dinner.”
Interest peaks in her tone. “Is it someone I know? Will she be at the game?”
Her line of questions gives me pause. “No, and yes. But I wouldn’t read into it, little Henderson.”
“Why?” Is she frowning? It sounds like she’s frowning. “I want you to be happy. You can’t stop living your life just because of Gemma, Bodhi.”
My eyebrows go up. “Why would you think I am?” I question. Is it wrong that I’m a little irritated by the assumption? Over a year ago, I was asking her to give me a chance—telling her I liked her, laying it all on the line. It isn’t like I use my daughter as a reason not to date. She’d know firsthand.
“My brother says you never go out unless it’s with him or the team,” she admits, making me want to curse Sebastian out. He doesn’t need to relay information about me to his sister. Christ. What is he telling her? That I pathetically sit at home when I don’t have Gemma twiddling my thumbs? Sure, I don’t go out drinking nearly as much, and my social circle is…small. But, for once in my life, I’m content. Settled.
I let out a sigh. “Nobody needs to concern themselves with me or my life. I’m good.”
“We’re not saying you’re not,” she promises lightly. “But you know my brother sees you as family. We…webothdo. And I want you to see someone who appreciates everything you bring to the table.”
I don’t like hearing the guilt in her tone.
“It’s not your guys’ job to make sure I find someone who’s okay with me being a dad,” I inform her, a little cooler than I mean to. “Just because you didn’t want that life for yourself doesn’t mean you have to feel bad about it. You found your person. That’s all you need to focus on.”
There’s a momentary pause where I expect her to try denying it, but she doesn’t. “All I’m saying is that you’re a good person who deserves the world.”
I hum in response.
Olive clears her throat. “So I’ll see you at your home game then?” she asks, as if I’d turn and walk the other way the second she’s nearby. I’d like to think I’m more mature than that.
“I’ll be there,” I muse dryly. Rolling my shoulders, I try to lighten my mood before she thinks she has a reason to feel bad.She doesn’t. She didn’t when she was honest with me before and she doesn’t now. “I’m looking forward to seeing you too, O-Dawg. And thank you for the…concern, but I don’t need it. I promise.”
Her next question makes my lips twitch with a wavering frown. “Will I get to meet the girl or is that weird? I don’t want it to be.”
If I were smart, I’d give her the right context. Tell her that Honor is our coach’s daughter—that she’s our new photographer. Do I do that though? No, because I don’t like that she sounds guilty over how things went down with us. “You’ll meet her eventually, I’m sure.”
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. I’m an idiot. Because now Olive will be under the assumption that the girl who I’m not even sure likes me is…something to me. I don’t even know if I can call Honor a friend; if she’dletme. One dinner definitely isn’t going to sell the idea to her.
A slow smile curls my lips as an idea forms, and I back out the driveway to go to the store before spending two hours in the kitchen.
*
Despite the bareminimum sleep I got that had nothing to do with Gemma for once and everything to do with one of the best loaves of banana bread I’ve made so far, I dominate on the ice against Chicago’s team.
The crowd roars with the winning slap shot that brings us one point higher against the Blackhawks after being tied for the last two periods. It was a fast-paced game with worthy opponents since they changed their roster. Up until Hendersonhelped assist the last goal, I wasn’t sure we were going to pull ahead. That would have been a shitty way to start a new season.
