Page 136 of Thoroughly Pucked

Tension slams into me, hard and brutal.

“Great game tonight,” he says, then claps me on the back.

Why the fuck am I so tense? He’s only ever wanted the best for me.

But maybe that’s the issue. After years of wanting the best, I’m just not that interested in it anymore.

“Hey, Dad,” I answer, glancing down the hall to the redhead in the white knit cap who has my heart in her fucking hands.

“Have you given any more thought to my suggestion? We can do a trial run at the house in my media room. Call some past games from YouTube for practice. Really make a go of it, so whenever you’re ready, we’ll get you a plum assignment in the booth.”

Damn, he has my future all mapped out.

I look to Aubrey, ten feet away, wearing my jersey. I don’t answer his question. Instead, I raise ahold that thoughtfinger, “Be right back.”

I close the distance to her, my tension melting. “Come meet my dad. Well, come meet him again. Okay?”

“Sure,” she says with a smile.

That’s how things are with her. Easy. I’ve never felt so understood. So accepted.

I take her hand and bring her over to the man whose career has defined mine. “Dad, this is Aubrey. You probably remember her. Garrett’s little sister,” I say, threading our fingers together more tightly.

“Good to see you again, Mr. McBride,” she says, as friendly as ever.

Dad doesn’t miss a beat. “And you too. Garrett’s doing great. Making deals. He’s a terrific agent. Bet his little girls grow up to be hockey players too.” He’salways focused on business, the next thing, the big opportunities for everyone.

Aubrey’s smile is guileless. “Or maybe they’ll be farmers. Or pilots. Or museum security guards. You never know.”

He blinks. He’s not used to being told he might not know everything. But that’s my girl. She knows there’s more to someone than an expectation. She knows there’s always a choice.

“Maybe,” he says as if he’s not sure what to make of her. He looks to me, decisive again. “We can talk more about the offer another time.”

Actually, we can’t.

“No thanks,” I say, surprising myself by the strength of my conviction.

His brow knits. “No thanks?”

“I don’t want to be a broadcaster.” The statement feels like freedom.

“You don’t?”

Aubrey squeezes my hand, saying,Way to go,without words.

“Nah,” I say. “I don’t want to work in hockey when I’m done.” That feels wholly true too.

Another blink. Another awkward silence, then Dad tilts his head. It’s like life without hockey is completely alien to him. “Whatdoyou want to do?”

“No idea. We can talk about it more later.” I give him a quick hug. “Good to see you, Dad. But, if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading out with my girlfriend.”

Then I leave with the woman I adore.

The woman who makes me better. Stronger. Calmer.

I steal glances at her the whole of the drive to her home. Dev’s out of town, so it’s just us this evening. I love our time together as a trio, but I love time alone with her too.

Though, we’re not truly alone. Puck Fitzgibbons is bouncing against the walls when we get home. He whines happily when Aubrey opens the door then whimpers as he jumps to greet her, then me, with kisses all around.

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