Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
I throw my arms around him. “Congratulations, Dad. What a game. That was amazing.”
He winces slightly. “Thanks, honey.”
I pull back and put my hand on his shoulder. “How bad is it?”
He gives me a small smile. “Nothing pancakes won’t fix.”
I roll my eyes. “You probably need an ice bath or for the trainer to work on your shoulder. I can wait.” Normally, he would insist it can wait, so when he nods, I know he’s really hurting. “I’ll meet you at the restaurant in two hours.”
“Hour and a half,” he says. “I’m starving.”
I laugh. “Fine. An hour and a half.”
Dad hugs me again before heading toward the training room. Part of me wants to hang around and wait for Guy, but I resist. Instead, I walk across the stadium to my car and drive to the restaurant. I get our usual corner booth, and the waitress comes over almost immediately. “Your dad was amazing tonight. He joining you?”
I nod. “Yeah, but he’s going to be a little while. Is it okay if I wait here?”
Dad always tips really well, so I’m sure she doesn’t mind if I take up a booth. “Of course, honey. Can I get you anything while you wait?”
“Just water, please.”
She disappears, and I pull up the romance book I’ve been reading on my phone. I’m not sure how much time passes before the bell over the door rings, and it pulls me from my book. I look up and instantly smile when I see Dad, then my smile freezes. Guy is walking in behind him.
His expression is a mixture of happiness and uncertainty, like he’s not quite sure how I’m going to react to him being here. As they get closer, Dad gestures toward him. “Is it okay if this guy joins us? Seems he was hankering for pancakes tonight.”
The way Dad says it makes me wonder if he already suspects something. “Sure,” I mutter.
Guy slides into the booth across from Dad and me. I look at him. “Good game tonight.”
The smile he gives me absolutely melts me. He points toward my dad. “Grant and I make a pretty good team.”
Dad laughs, and the waitress comes over to take our order. While the two of them start talking about the game, I keep staring at my white hair tie that is still wrapped around Guy’s wrist. He plays with it while he talks.
We talk and laugh while Dad and Guy go over replays from tonight and strategies for the next game.
When Guy excuses himself to go to the restroom, Dad turns toward me. “Did you get anything moved into your apartment today?”
“My bed frame and mattress were delivered. Everything else will be there tomorrow morning at eight.”
Dad nods. “Don’t try carrying anything yourself. I’ve got some of the guys coming over to help me. We’ll be there at eight.”
I know better than to argue. “Thanks, Dad.”
He nods once, then studies me. “Is there something going on with you and Guy that I should know about?”
This is it. My dad is a smart man, and I should have known I wouldn’t be able to hide much from him. “No. I mean, Guy and I are friends. That’s all.”
Heat rushes into my face. Thankfully, the waitress appears with our food before Dad can say anything else.
Guy comes back a minute later and sits down. Dad doesn’t waste any time. “Guy, is there something going on between you and my daughter?”
Guy’s eyes widen, and my face gets even hotter. How embarrassing is this? I’m twenty-three years old. Guy looks at me, clears his throat, and then turns back to Dad. “Grant, I’d like to date your daughter.”
My mouth falls open. Did he seriously just tell my dad that? “We’re just hanging out, Dad,” I blurt.
Guy looks at me, and hurt flashes across his face. “We’re not just hanging out.”
Dad looks between the two of us before focusing on Guy. “How old are you?”
Guy swallows. “Thirty-six.”
Dad rubs a hand over the scruff on his jaw. “You’re thirteen years older than Nicole.”
Guy nods. “Yes.”
“Dad,” I start, but I have no idea what I’m going to say. I’m waiting for him to punch Guy or threaten him or do something dramatic. Instead Dad calmly cuts into his pancakes and takes another bite. Guy and I sit here in silence, watching him.
Guy can’t seem to stand the silence. “This is different, sir. Nicole is different.”
My dad’s eyebrows rise at the “sir.” They look at each other, and it seems there is a silent conversation between them.
Finally Dad looks at me and then back at Guy. “If you hurt my daughter, I’ll use your bat on your head.”
Guy doesn’t look scared at all. If anything, he looks completely sure of himself. “I promise I won’t hurt her.”
My mouth falls open again. He can’t promise that. I almost say it but stop myself. Dad turns to me. “You’re a grown woman. You can make your own choices. But if you ever need me, you tell me.”