“Earth to Hadley.” Isla waves a hand in front of my face, and my gaze zooms to her as she laughs. “Wow, your giddy look is hopefully contagious, and I hope I find myself a hockey player who sends me in a daze like you… preferably after alongnight.”
I bring my hand to my cheek and attempt to hide my blush. “What can I say? I scored myself a good husband. Besides, you’re surrounded by hockey players, you have options.”
She wiggles her long finger back and forth. “No. The ones that hang around Lake Spark are too close to where I work. They are a no-go.” I bounce my shoulder up in agreement. She changes the topic. “Are you getting nervous for game season? It’s a long and exhausting one, with pre-season games and potential playoffs later in the season.”
I bite my bottom lip. “Truthfully, it hasn’t crossed my mind. At least, it probably should a little more. I’ve just been distracted.”
“I can tell.”
“I kind of originally didn’t plan to be around for game season, but now… that plan has changed. I also just assumed it would be kind of like my dad when he played baseball.”
Isla’s face goes crooked. “Hockey is a totally different realm. Longer season, more games, more injuries, a hell of a lot more fights. Connor will need the emotional and mental support for sure, and you’ll need to get used to him not always around.” She speaks from experience with her brother.
I take in her suggestion and recognize that I can add it to the list of trying to figure out how to move forward with my current life.
“Damn, I should have gotten a cinnamon roll while I’m here.” Isla peruses the menu on the wall behind the counter.
“They are delicious,” I note.
She studies me for a second and seems to debate her words. “You’ve lost a little weight. Are you sure everything is okay?” Isla reaches across the table to touch the back of my hand. “Or is it just that you’re working out a little extra with your partner?”
I snort a laugh. “Something like that.”
I feel someone arrive near my side, and they tower over us. “Oh hey, Mr. C,” Isla greets him.
My dad offers her a warm smile. “Hey, Isla.”
Isla scoots off the seat. “You can steal her back. I actually just popped in for a coffee on my way back to the office.”
“Thanks,” he replies.
Isla waves goodbye to me, and I promise to text her soon, but my stomach flips when my father replaces Isla in the seat across from me. There is no way around it. In plain terms, I’ve been avoiding him.
His eyes carry a seriousness and love combined. “Saw you sitting here when I was walking down Main Street.”
I hold up my mug. “Caffeine. The code word to open the door to my soul.”
The corner of his mouth tilts. “Not long ago, you would sit here and demand a sundae after your ballet classes.”
“Hmm, I still demand sundaes.” I do my best to keep our conversation bright because I believe we will eventually be okay.
“Hadley.” He breathes a long breath. “I can’t keep repeating myself, but I will if that’s what you need.”
My fingers curl up and my palm faces him low on the table to stop him. “I would rather we didn’t rehash what we both now know.” The truth and his reasonings.
He nods in relief.
I lean over the table. “I think I’m beginning to realize that sometimes life gives us a boost in the direction of unlocking a truth.”
“It does,” he agrees.
“I’m living two parallels right now. With Connor, it was a Vegas wedding that led to more. With you, it was a science project that led to a change in our dynamic.”
“I don’t want there to be a change,” he protests in a low gritty voice.
I scan Jolly Joe’s and see we are basically alone, as it’s a weekday, except for some tourists over by the jukebox taking photos of the interior.
I blink several times to ensure tears won’t fall. “You are my dad, but I don’t feel anything for the person who is biologically my dad, you know? And I think what I struggle with is… I feel guilty about that.”
