I held my breath. He was going to ask me to move in again. I wanted him to. I wanted to say yes.
“I need to make you come before you go to work.”
Work wasa challenge because my father would not stop texting me. I wanted that new phone, but Cormac was busy. It would come in time. I turned off my ringer, but that meant I missed messages from Cormac and Ida Jane. Frustrated, I slammed my way into Cormac’s house…and found Ida Jane standing in the kitchen, mouth agape.
“You’re in a foul mood.”
“I am.”
“Well, your boyfriend wants you to call him.”
“He’s got a game tonight.”
She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “That man will make time for you.”
“Fine.” I picked up my phone, but Ida Jane snatched it from my hand.
“With this one.” She plopped a brand-new phone into my hand with a smile. I turned it over, noting the Wildcatters logo and Cormac’s number. The home screen said, “Keelie’s phone.”
“He bought me a new phone already?” I asked, my heart pattering in a sweet rhythm.
“With a new number. All your contacts are in it, but your dad can’t bug you.” She smiled. “Dad problem solved.”
I slouched onto one of the barstools. “Cormac asked me to move in while we were in the middle of a heated discussion.” Slippers jumped up into my lap, and I scratched her chin. The cat seemed to note my half-hearted attempts at loving her and lost interest, heading toward her food bowl, tail straight up in the air.
“Okay,” Ida Jane said, voice cautious.
“He hasn’t brought it up again.” I licked my lips. “What if he changed his mind?”
“Then you talk to him and sort it out.”
I lifted my brows. “Like you do with Maxim.”
She scowled. “There’s notalkingto that brute.”
My new phone rang, causing me to jump. I smiled as George Strait began belting out “I Cross My Heart.”
“Hello?”
“Good. You have your new phone,” Cormac said, tone brisk.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I wanted to let you know that I spoke with Coach and some of the staff. We think the best course of action against your father is a restraining order. If that doesn’t make him stop bothering you, I’ll get my lawyer involved.”
“Cormac…” I swallowed the ball of emotion. I noted that Ida Jane had disappeared. “Thank you.”
“No thanks necessary. What do I keep telling you?” he said, his voice soft.
“That I matter, and you want me happy.”
“That’s right, but you forgot one very important thing—Shit! I have to go. Skate time. I’ll call you after we get to the hotel.”
“Bye,” I whispered, but he was already gone.
I powered down my old phone with a sigh of relief. Such a weight lifted not having to view those messages. I got up and made myself a grapefruit spritzer, my new favorite drink. I pulled out the dinner Cormac had had his chef leave for Ida Jane and me. Everything he did showed his love. So why couldn’t I show him I was just as committed to us—and to our future?
Chapter51
