Danny and I groan in unison as we pull back from the hug.
“That’s hardly a swear word,” Danny says, dropping next to me on the couch.
“He’s right.” I nod. “It’s hardly a swear word.”
“I still don’t think we need to talk like that,” Devony says.
“Besides, I’ve heard much worse.”
Her eyes narrow. “Where?”
Danny and I exchange a look. I know what he’s thinking. He’s heard worse language—much worse—out of her own mouth. Probably while she’s driving around town or after burning her toast in the morning.
“I don’t know,” he says with a half shrug. “Around.”
“I hope you haven’t heard it at hockey,” she says.
I snort before I can stop myself. And if looks could kill… But, come on. Everyone knows what kind of words come out of a players’ mouths when they’re on the ice.
Dropping f-bombs is part of the fun for a kid. That and spitting.
“Speaking of hockey,” Danny says, changing the subject. “I need to ask you something.”
I narrowly groan again, but stop myself just in time. “If it’s about the last game against Montreal, I’ve gotta plead the fifth for now. I can’t talk about it anymore.”
“We’re not interested in rehashingyourseason at the moment,” Devony says. “We’ve got our own problems.”
My brow furrows. “What’s wrong?”
“Tanner left town yesterday.”
My hands ball into fists on my knees. “What?”
My sister’s ex wasn’t much of a husband. But he’s always been a good father. He makes sure Danny eats his vegetables. He splits school pick-up and drop-off. He even coaches the kid’s hockey team.
Why the hell would he bail now?
“He left town?” I repeat, rising to my feet, hands still fisted at my side. “Do you need me to go after and kick his”—I spare a glance at Danny—“A-S-S?”
Danny bursts into laughter. “I know how to spell. I’m ten. Not three.”
“It’s not like that,” Devony rushes. “Sorry, I should have led with that.”
A tiny bit of the fire inside me cools. “Then what is it like?”
“I didn’t tell you but,” she spares a glance at Danny, and sighs, “Tanner lost his job last fall.”
I blink in surprise. “He did?”
“His company closed and laid everyone off. Work has been hard to find.”
I nod along, because it makes sense. While living in small-town Alaska has its charms, finding regular work close by isn’t one of them.
“He finally got hired on with another crew, but he had to leave the area for the contract.” She gives Danny a supportive half-grin. “He’s going to come back whenever he gets time off. But, unfortunately, it means he can’t finish out coaching Danny’s team through their play-offs.”
“Oh, shi—oot.” I ruffle Danny’s hair. “I’m sorry kiddo.”
“Yeah, well, that’s where you come in.” She gives me a pointed look.
