The taste in my mouth turns sour. I take another sip of the delicious drink that she came up with for tonight. She had every right to react that way.
And now I need to figure out a way to make it right.
I spot Aidan and Micah standing in the middle of the restaurant, smiling and laughing with Micah’s mom and dad.
Our dad walks up to them and says hello. I watch as he and Aidan hug. A warm feeling rushes through me. I never thought I’d see my brother and our dad reconcile.
Aidan used to play hockey but gave it up in college to focus on becoming a professor. That pissed off our hockey-obsessed dad, who insulted him for choosing a different career than the one he dreamed for his sons. That led to Aidan cutting him off for years. He refused to have a relationship with him.
But after running into each other last year, our dad apologized for how he treated Aidan and told him that his biggest regret in life was losing his bond with his son. Aidan eventually forgave him. They have a relationship again.
I smile as I watch the two of them laugh and talk. They look over and spot me, then wave me over. When I walk up to them, I hug Micah and give her a kiss on the cheek, then greet her momand dad. A second later, her parents get pulled into a nearby conversation.
I hug my dad. “Good to see you, Dad.”
“You too.” He smiles. “Nice to see you all dressed up. I’m so used to seeing you in hockey gear.”
“I’m surprised you recognized me,” I joke.
Dad looks between Aidan and me, his expression warm. He pats our arms. “It’s good to see you boys like this.”
I know what he means. For years, he only ever saw me because he didn’t have a relationship with Aidan. It must feel good for him to spend time with both of his sons at the same time.
Aidan nods like he understands. “Thanks for making it to the engagement party, Dad.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he says to Aidan, the look in his eyes sincere.
That warmth burrows deeper in my chest. After years of being the one stuck between them, only ever spending time with them separately, this moment feels huge. The three of us together, happy and whole.
Dad looks at me. “Micah tells me you helped plan this shindig.” He glances around the restaurant, smiling like he’s in awe. “I can’t believe you had the time to do that. You were so busy these past couple of weeks with training and conditioning and getting ready for that photoshoot.”
Aidan claps my shoulder. “Dude, I’m officially speechless. I can’t believe you had a hand in this.”
That guilt burrows deeper inside, digging into my gut. Did Kendall not tell Aidan and Micah that she did all the work?
Dad smiles at Micah. “I always thought my son was just good at hockey. I never knew he was good at party planning too.”
Everyone chuckles. I smile, hoping it doesn’t look as forced as it feels.
I know my dad’s just joking around, but I can’t help the sting of his words. I’m just a hockey player. That’s all anyone sees me as, even my own dad. And as much as I love hockey and love that it’s my career, I wish people thought I could be more than that. I wish they thought I was capable of doing something other than smacking around a puck.
I shake my head, refocusing.“Actually, I wasn’t the one who?—”
“It’s stunning, Liam. Seriously.” Micah beams at me. She grabs my arm. “No offense, but never in a million years would I have thought that you could pull off something as beautiful and elegant as this. And with the budget we gave you. By the way, I love your suit. Really sharp.”
I let out a nervous chuckle and glance down at the dark tan suit and white dress shirt I’m wearing. “Thanks. Funny you should mention that, I didn’t really?—”
“Kendall!” Micah squeals.
Chapter 5
Liam
Micah grabs Kendall and pulls her into a hug. “You look incredible in that dress.”
When I look at Kendall, my eyes almost pop out of my head. Holy shit. She looks fucking hot.
She’s wearing this flowy dark purple dress that hits her knees and dips low on her chest.
