“Those flowers? They were beautiful. Thanks for sending them.”
With a wave, she disappears. I stare after her, deciding this is going to be the longest season of my fucking life.
ELEVEN
BRODY
I putthree plates on the kitchen island knowing Kali is bringing Olivia up and joining us for dinner. I messaged her after Hannah left my office, asking if she was free to talk about schedules. Communication is the most important part of our relationship, and we’ve done it damn well.
The older Liv gets, the more we both want to be present for those big life moments she’s going to experience. Kali and I sit down together before every school year and plan out transportation. We divide holidays evenly and figure out how often we’re going to shuttle Liv between our two houses.
We have a system. Thisworks, and when something unexpected springs up—like hiring a new figure skating coach after the hockey season is underway—it’s nice to have someone who is flexible and willing to work with me to keep Liv’s life as uninterrupted as possible.
It’s also nice to know I have an accomplice if I ever need to kick a future significant other’s ass for not treating my daughter the right way down the road.
“We’re here!” Liv calls out, bounding down the hall. She drops her backpack in the middle of the kitchen, racing towardme and the pile of food I have spread out. “Please tell me we’re having tacos tonight.”
“Nice to see you too, kid.” I open the Styrofoam container housing the two dozen street tacos I ordered for us. “Of course we’re having tacos.”
“I’m glad to know you also leave a mess at your dad’s house.” Kali steps over the discarded backpack, nudging it out of the way with her shoe. “I thought it was just me.”
“Don’t go in her bathroom. It’s scary as hell.” I give Kali a quick hug and point to the food. “Grab a plate. There’s something I need to talk to you all about.”
“Oh, no.” Olivia groans. “Did you get fired? Do we have to move to Canada? If you have the option to choose, could you pick California as your next place to coach? I really want to learn how to surf.”
“Why would you go straight into thinking I got fired?” I take three tacos for myself and scoff. “Thanks for having confidence in your old man.”
“The Stars are near the bottom of the standings to start the season.” She hops onto the stool at the island and digs in. “People get fired for less.”
“We’ve played twelve games.”
“And you’ve only won six of them.”
I look at Kali. “When did she turn into such a smart-ass?”
“She’syourdaughter.” Kali laughs and takes the plate I offer her. “She’s been this way since she could talk.”
“What secret are you keeping, Dad?”
“First tell us about school,” I say.
“It was fine. My math homework is kicking my ass, and I?—”
“Language,” Kali and I say in unison.
“Coming from the guy who got a $20,000 fine because he criticized the referees after his game last week? Is there going to be enough money to pay for my college tuition?”
A $20,000 fine is a drop in the bucket for me, and I know how privileged I am to be able to say that. The deal I signed after my ELC was guaranteed. Money was funneled my way for years after my early retirement. Add in the contract extension with the Stars my agent secured two summers ago, and neither Olivia nor any of my great-great-great-great grandchildren will ever have to worry about money.
I give back when I can. I sponsor youth hockey camps in the city and set up a scholarship fund for local teenagers who want to play the sport in college. Doesn’t feel right to keep it all to myself when there are people out there who need it more than I do.
“You’re going to be fine.” I wipe my mouth with a napkin. “I got some news today.”
“News?” Kali frowns. “Is everything okay?”
“It will be. I found Livvy a skating coach.”
My daughter gasps. “What? You did?”
