“Yup.”
“Who had space to bring me on? How much money did you have to pay them? Is this one of those arrangements where you owe someone a kidney down the road?”
“Jesus, Liv.” I glance at Kali. “We need to take social media away from her.”
“Agreed.” She cuts a quick look at our daughter, pursing her lips, then refocuses on me. “That’s great you found someone, Brody.”
“Who is it?” Olivia practically bounces on her stool. “A former Olympian? Someone new in town? Are you sending me to a boarding school in another country?”
“Do you know Grant Everett? Second line left winger on the Stars?”
“Yeah.” She giggles. “He’s cute with his floppy hair.”
“Absolutely not. You’re not allowed to call any of the players on my team cute. Actually—scratch that. You’re not allowed to callanyonecute. Ever.”
“Why not?” Liv presses. “Half the girls in my grade have boyfriends, Dad. It’s going to happen for me at some point too.”
“I’m ignoring everything you just said.” I sigh, defeated, and look at Kali. “Grant has a sister. Her name is?—”
“Hannah, duh,” Liv interrupts, taking control of the conversation. “I know. I’ve told you about her, remember? She’s so freaking talented. I’ve watched her World Championship program close to a hundred times. Her triple Lutz is the best I’ve ever seen! And, cooler than that, she’s famous for her body composition.”
“What does that mean?”
“She’s taller than most skaters,” Olivia gushes. “It gives me hope that one day I’ll be as successful as her.”
My fingers wrap around the counter. I am, unfortunately, very aware of how tall Hannah is. I know how it feels to have her long legs wrapped around my head, and inviting her back into my life was the worst decision I ever could’ve made.
“I see,” I say.
“How the heck did you getHannah Everettto agree to coach me? How does she even know who you are?”
“Her brother, remember?” I ignore how warm the room feels, distracting myself with the tacos so I don’t have to give any more details. “She was available.”
“She posted that she dropped out of Skate America, and I thought she was injured. I guess not. Oh, my god.Dad,” Liv shrieks. “This is the best day of my life! When can she start? Where are we going to train? Do you think she’ll let me hold her medals? I bet she’s even prettier in real life.”
She is, I think bitterly.She’s the prettiest woman in the world.
But… why the hell did she drop out of a competition? Does it have to do with what she was talking about in my office—not being in love with the sport anymore? How skating is losing its magic?
Shit. I hope she’s okay.
“You start next week at the Stars’ training facility. Same days as your previous schedule, and I have no clue about her medal.”
“The girls at school are going to besojealous.” Olivia finishes her food in record time. “Permission to be excused so I can text my friends and give them the good news? Please, please,please?”
“Half an hour,” I tell her. “Then homework.”
“Deal.” She squeals and jumps off the stool, stopping to give me a tight hug. “Thank you, Dad. This means so much to me.”
I don’t have a chance to hug her back. She’s too busy sprinting down the hall, nose buried in her phone. Her bedroom door closes, and Kali laughs.
“Okay. Wow. You just snagged top spot for Dad of the Year,” she tells me. “But you would’ve landed there without hiring her dream skating coach.”
“Thanks, Kal.” I dip my chin and point to the fridge. “Want some wine? Or a beer?”
“I shouldn’t. Bryant and I have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow. Three years of trying to have a second kid, and nothing yet.”
“Water it is then.” I fill up two glasses and slide one her way. “I’ll join you in solidarity.”
