“Yo, Duncan, can I get an autograph?” a guy says behind us.
I get distracted with fans—happens when we’re out at Chester Green’s—and only have to tell people I’m notDaddiefour times.
“You really couldn’t have better names,” Paisley’s saying to Addie when I finally get to sit back down. “Your couple name is epic. But please don’t call himDaddywhen I’m around, okay?”
Those two are besties.
Even better besties than Addie and half the staff at CVU’s athletics department.
They weren’t thrilled the first time they met her, but that might’ve been my fault.
She did all of the talking.
I did all of the growling.
Neither of us told Paisley about our visit. She probably suspects—Addie’s been on campus multiple times for various events since the Fireballs were knocked out of the playoffs—but she hasn’t asked.
Instead, she takes lunch dates with Addie every time.
Sometimes I think my niece knows more about my girlfriend than I do.
“You going on the next road trip?” Felicity asks Addie.
“I was planning on it, but?—”
“I’ll dog-sit if you get a dog,” Paisley says. “Uncle Duncan’s house is way more comfortable than my dorm.”
This is my life.
Hockey for one last season.
Family. Friends.
Addie.
Home.
Other than a dog, what more could a guy ask for?
EPILOGUE
Duncan
In the threeyears since Addie let me back into her life, I’ve discovered there are things I love doing with her.
And then there are things I hate doing with her.
Dress shopping falls into thehatecategory.
Mostly because it involves a lot of unsatisfied boners coupled with fears that I’ll hurt her again.
“No,” I say to her as she holds up a slinky silver dress in the same dress shop where we re-met. “If you want that one, just put it on my card right now because I’ll be cutting it off of you in the dressing room.”
She snickers.
Paisley does too.
“I’mkidding,” she tells me. “I don’t want to try on that dress.”
