“So you’re saying Tank is just another one of my duds?” Even as McKenna said it, she knew he wasn’t. If what Mom said was true, and Camden, Dale, and Eddie had taught her what she wanted in a man, then the lesson she’d learned was that she wanted Tank.
“No. I’m not saying that, because I’m still waiting to hear a good reason why you think you fucked up.”
“He’s a commitment-phobic hockey player. Sound familiar?”
Now Mom sighed. “Are you talking about your dad?”
“Of course, I am! You can’t help but notice some pretty big similarities between him and Tank. Swaggering, cocky professional hockey players. More interested in scoring on and off the ice than settling down. Commitment isn’t in their vocabulary.”
“I’m disappointed in you, Mickey.”
McKenna hadn’t expected that response. She was clearly upset. Why wasn’t her mom comforting her. “What? Why?”
“You’re waiting for Tank to walk away because your dad did. That’s not fair, because they’re two very different men, and they were two very different situations.”
“How?”
“Mine was a summer romance,” Mom started. “Your dad made it clear from the outset that it wasn’t going to last beyond August.”
“Yeah, but you fell for him anyway, didn’t you? Isn’t that why you didn’t tell him about me right away? Because you were hurt?”
“I think I was more hurt about losing the sex than the man.”
“Mom!”
She laughed. “I’ve had twenty-four years to reflect on that time, and believe me when I say, your father and I would not have worked out as a couple. We were always better suited to be friends.”
McKenna could see that. Mom had stayed in touch with Dad over the years, sending him pictures and updates on her. McKenna’s childhood had been a roller coaster of phases, her feelings for her father fluctuating between extremes. Sometimes she was angry at him and annoyed because Mom’s updates made her feel like one of those children people “adopted” from third world countries, who received photos and letters in return. Other times, she was sad, wondering why he didn’t want to be with her. Then there were the days when she felt gratitude for the money he sent.
She experienced genuine happiness when he’d shown up to her high school graduation to watch her get her diploma. She’d invited him, thinking he’d just send a gift, so she was shocked when she ran across the football field afterward to hug her mother, and found him standing next to her.
It was the first time they’d ever met face-to-face, if she didn’t count the one time he’d shown up right after Mom told him about her. Which McKenna didn’t, considering she’d been six months old at the time and didn’t remember it.
Of course, she felt as if she knew him, because she’d grown up watching him play hockey. His team, the Stingrays, became her and mom’s team, the two of them huge fans. When he hung up his skates and started coaching at Vancouver, they’d briefly changed—well, added—allegiances, rooting for the Canadian team as well as their beloved Rays.
Complicated didn’t even begin to come close to describing her feelings for her dad, and they were continuing to evolve even now. Especially with them living in the same city for the first time ever.
“Tank was never going to be a one-night stand or a summer fling for you, Mickey. I know you. You don’t sleep with someone you don’t have feelings for.”
“Maybe not. But tonight, I found out Tank doesn’t share those feelings. He…” McKenna’s voice broke slightly, and she wiped her eyes, aware it was stupid to drive while crying. “He showed up tonight at the pub with Lara, one of the women from the video.”
“Okay,” Mom drawled. “Why?”
“Tank said she was stranded in the parking lot outside the arena because someone slashed her tires. He gave her a ride to the pub because that’s where her friends were.”
Mom was silent, clearly waiting for more. “That’s it?”
“Yes. Doesn’t that sound kind of familiar?” McKenna pressed.
“Familiar?” Mom asked, confused.
“Eddie always had very reasonable explanations for why he was spending so much time with Lisa. Hanging around her desk because she needed help learning the job. Showing her around town because she was new.”
“Okay, so basically, you’re walking away from Tank because of things your dad and Eddie did. Am I hearing that right?”
McKenna blinked several times.
Could her mom be right?
