“Hadley, you don’t need to. It’s what my brother would have wanted,” he assures me.
“Isn’t that twisted? He gave me away so easily.”
My father shakes his head. “It wasn’t like that at all. He knew he wasn’t going to make it, so he made the choice to give you the best life, a selfless choice.”
I lick my lips as my mouth feels suddenly dry. “I’m trying to wrap my head around that.”
My dad sulks, as he is balancing patience and wanting to scream, I can tell.
“You know, Connor seems to think that we should get out of Lake Spark for a few days for a change of scene,” I inform him.
“I think he might have a good suggestion.”
“He wants to go to Sweden.” I half laugh because a simple bed-and-breakfast somewhere warm would have sufficed.
It causes my father to grin. “I would say I should be concerned that he wants to take you far away, but I know he has to be back here before he starts training for pre-season.”
I puff a breath from the reminder of my husband’s career and what it will entail for me. “I remember watching your baseball games—well, the snacks might have been my highlight, but I remember. I was so proud, and you would always come say hi before a game. Something tells me hockey is a little different. I’ll be clenching my seat every time they get out of line.”
“I’ll be there holding your hand then,” he offers in a tone of pure affection.
A closed-mouth smile hits me as natural as a breeze. “I would like that. I might be cursing half the time, but we abolished the swear jar many years ago.”
There it is, a natural laugh and ease between us. “It’s okay, I’ll join you. At some point, we get past things that are no longer what they always were. No more Pioneer Park that you loved to go to, no more tooth fairy bills, and no more treating you like a kid. But I promise, the moment you come to me and say you need anything, then you’ll still be my little girl, and I’ll take care of you.”
Emotion floods through my veins. Spencer Crews is a good man. I glance away to try and hide a tear. “April is my mom, and I never even think of my biological one. It’s just, I know my biological dad didn’t think the same way and wanted the best for me, which is why I feel so guilty that I wish I didn’t know because I’m perfectly content that you are my dad in all aspects. But Idoknow, and it just lingers in my thoughts.” I feel like I’m repeating myself, but at least I’m being open.
“Trust me, I wish I could make you feel better,” he swears.
I quickly wipe a token tear away. “I know.”
A long silence hits us. What more can we say? We’ll be going in circles.
“Want me to order a sundae? The one in the kitchen sink? It always used to make you feel better.” My dad tries to capture my gaze with a sympathetic half-smile on his mouth.
God, I appreciate that this can’t be easy for him and that he’s trying.
“Go on. Just make sure they add peanut butter to the banana part.”
“Oh, I’ll steal the jar if they don’t,” he promises.
Sometimes an old-fashioned heart-to-heart over ice cream is what we need.
* * *
Returning home,I overhear Connor in discussion with someone in the living room, and I slowly approach, only to stall before the corner so they don’t see me.
“I hate being in this position as both team owner and your uncle. I don’t enjoy having the sense that you want to sign to another team after next season, especially after your marriage news is really spinning your image in a positive light.” It’s Declan, I recognize his voice right away.
“Look, my heart is with the team. But I’ll never get to be captain of the Spinners, you know that. Everyone will assume bias,” Connor explains.
“Just play like you are worthy, then it isn’t a problem,” Declan reminds him.
Connor scoffs. “We both know that isn’t true. Besides, if our coach doesn’t shape up this season, then it’s another year of my career where I miss the opportunity to skate during playoffs and for a cup. I have career goals.”
Declan growls, and when I peek around the corner, I see he is rubbing his face in aggravation. “Look, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but we’re off the record as family right now. I doubt we’ll have the same head coach or general manager after next season. Not if I have anything to say about it. Just hang on a little longer. You even have a wife now, and I’m sure Hadley doesn’t want to leave Lake Spark.”
I clear my throat, announcing my arrival. “Hadley can speak for herself.”
