I bark out a laugh. “That’s my girl. Looks like you created a monster.”
“You know how rivalry is. Marla’s going to get what’s coming to her. She tripped Lianna during practice. She picks her out because she’s smaller.” He lowers his voice. “Just means she’s feistier.”
“Thank you,” I cough.
“What’s that?” He smirks, leaning toward me and cupping his ear. “Didn’t get that.”
“Shut up.” I sigh.
“I get it. You told us to stay away from your sister, and I didn’t respect that.” He pulls into the parking lot. “I will always respect her, though, and Lianna. I love them both so much. I hope you can trust me in that. I know what you all went through with your father. I’m not like that.”
It’s always something I thought about growing up. What if my sister finds herself in the same situation as our mother? It was a nightmare in my mind. Part of me knows Landon isn’t like that. Still, it’s hard to let go sometimes.
He shuts the car off, his voice softer. “I’ll do whatever I need to, to protect them. I’d never hurt either of them. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I fuc... dging love your sister. And I don’t care about DNA.” He lowers his voice. “She’s my daughter.”
Words choke in my throat, pride strangling what I really want to say. I trust him. “I guess if I had to choose one of you shitheads, I’m glad it’s you,” I whisper.
He chuckles. “I’m going to propose.” He looks behind at Lianna, who’s focusing on putting her arm pads on. He lowers his voice. “When we go to the wedding.”
My heart speeds up a bit. I don’t like this feeling. Emotion chokes my throat. Everyone is moving on and it’s time I do the same. My phone is on me just in case that asshole shows up, and Felix knows not to answer the door while I’m gone. I’m a bit on edge with him being home alone. We’re leaving tomorrow morning, and then we’re finishing this when we get back.
We both deserve to move on.
“You have my permission.”
He laughs, smoothing his hand through his beard. “Iwasn’t asking for permission. I’m going to marry her if she’ll have me.”
“She seems happy,” I say quietly. “That’s good enough for me.”
“Seems like you’re pretty happy yourself?” He smirks. “Quite the show at the playoff game. Felix is pretty cute.”
“Shut up.” I shake my head. “We’re not having a bro moment right now.” I get out of the car and open the back seat to grab Lianna’s gear. She looks adorable with her pads and little jersey. “Come on, let’s go shove Marla into the boards.”
“Lianna!”I’m going to lose my fucking hair, holy shit. “Hey.” She skates over to me, unimpressed with my rising blood pressure. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Dayton tripped me, but I tripped him back.”
“With your hands?” I look at her.
She throws her arms out. “It was an accident.”
I bend over a little as she skates to me. “We’re not calling any ambulances, so take it easy.”
“What’s the matter, Grampa Grey?” Landon skates over to us with ease. I have a pair myself, but I hate to admit how nervous I am. I have Landon here if I fall. Still, I’m hesitant.
The traitor looks up at her dad. “Uncle Grey said I’m being too harsh.”
“Dayton tripped her, so she tripped him back.” Landon shrugs.
“With her hands?!”
Landon shrugs again, adjusting Lianna’s helmet. “Go ahead, Bug. Go play.” She skates off and Landon looks to me. “They’re kids, they’re fine. They’re very bouncy at this age.”He looks around, lowering his voice. “Honestly, Dayton could use a shove into the boards now and then.”
“Horrible influence.”
“Says the professional defenseman.” He looks at my skates. “Come on. Let’s see if you still have it.” I look down at my skates. Skating’s as easy as breathing, and I shouldn’t be this frightened. Felix warned me to be careful, though. “Come on. I’ll help you onto the ice.”
Sitting down, I toe off my shoes and grab the skates and slip them on. For a moment I sit with them, then I stand, careful of my knee. I will say, most days now the stiffness is minimal. The pain is a ghost of itself compared to even a month ago. Felix always makes sure I rest each day. More and more I’ve been enjoying the outdoors, and it’s getting easier to take short walks in the woods or work a little on projects in my garage.
