A wrinkle appears between his pinched brows. “Of course you are.”
My chest constricts. “But at practice anytime the guys got too friendly with her, and at the Fourth of July barbecue, you said?—”
“I never meant you.”
The world rearranges. I’ve relived the conversation in my head countless times since then. Christ, it did a number on me to hear my girlfriend’s dad and brother remind me she was off-limits.
I scrub a hand over my face, the stubble shadowing my jawline scraping my palm. “So… You’re not mad about me dating Eve behind your back?”
“No. My daughter will always be my little girl in my eyes, but she’s an adult in charge of her own life. As long as you take care of her and treat her right, I have no business getting between you two.” He squeezes my shoulder. “You’ve always been family. I’m proud of the man you’ve grown into, especially in the last year.”
A lump lodges in my throat. I swallow thickly. His acknowledgement is everything I’ve been striving toward since I returned to Heston Lake to coach with him.
“Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me that I have your respect.”
“You have it as long as you don’t do anything to hurt my daughter. Then you and I will have a problem.”
Blood drains from my face at his serious tone. He breaks a moment later, chuckling. I recognize Eve’s mischievous side in his amused expression.
“I know I don’t have to worry about her.”
“No. Never,” I assure him.
He peers through the doorway to the kitchen. “Is she going to come down?”
“Eventually. She’s embarrassed. I’ll check on her.”
“Tell her I’m sorry for, er.” He gestures aimlessly.
“I’ll tell her.”
“I’ll see if Benson is up yet to move the camper.”
“Thanks.”
My heart beats double-time as I hurry back to Eve. The room is empty. Her slipper shoes are missing. My brows furrow.
I go downstairs and poke my head in every room, coming up empty. In the kitchen, Mrs. Lombard is yawning at the counter.
“Where’s Eve?”
She blinks at me, stirring her coffee. “Hmm? Oh, she said she was taking Bauer for a walk when I went to go get him. Did you both sleep well? I know the guest bed is due to be replaced.”
It’s my turn to blink. “What?”
“She came from upstairs instead of the side door. I figured you both spent the night in the house instead of going out to the garage. I don’t blame you, it was a cold one last night.”
My mouth opens and closes. She says it so matter-of-factly I’m not sure how to process what I’m hearing.
“Wait. You know we’re—?” I don’t know how to form the question. “How long have you known?”
“Of course. I’ve known for months. You two aren’t very subtle with all those longing stares. I worked it out at the end of summer when I saw you kissing from the kitchen window while everyone was here fixing her camper. I thought you were keeping it a secret, so I haven’t said anything.”
A short laugh puffs out of me. Maybe this whole time the only ones we’ve been fooling are ourselves.
It doesn’t matter now. No more sneaking around.
I need to go track down my girl and bring her home.
