I nod and he kisses the top of my head. With one last one-armed bear hug, he shuffles down the bar and ducks into his office.
Sniffling, I swipe my tear-stained cheeks. An older patron seated at the bar passes the pile of cocktail napkins to me. I mutter a thanks, bowing my head.
Dad comes back out with a picture frame and a hammer.
“Dad?” My eyes widen when he yanks down a banner with a list of Heston U hockey players that went on to play in the NHL with their signatures on it. “What are you doing?”
“Place of honor,” he explains. “I’m proud as hell of everything you do. Haven’t stopped being proud of you since the day you were born. You’re way smarter than me or your brother. Anyonewho doesn’t see every amazing thing about you is a fucking idiot in my book.”
When he steps back from hammering the new frame on the wall, I roll my lips between my teeth. It’s not my early acceptance letter or any of my official achievements. It’s a photo of us at the Heston Lake Ice Rink. I remember how excited I was when he got me and Theo our first pair of ice skates. In the photo, Dad holds my hand and beams at the camera while I concentrate.
A warm glow expands in my chest. It’s a balm for the parts of me that shouldered the hurt for years.
“Thanks, Dad. I’ve got to go.” I kiss his cheek. “Tomorrow is a big day.”
He nods, scrubbing a hand over his face to regain his composure. “The catering delivery will be ready to go for the end of the night snack bar.”
I bite my lip. Booking The Landmark for an order of wings and fries was a last minute addition suggested by Alex.
“Thank you. Oh, and Dad?”
“Yes?”
I give him a shaky smile. “I love you, too.”
Leaving the bar, a weight rises off my shoulders. Tonight sucked, but a positive came out of it. Finding the conviction to confront my dad never would’ve happened if Alex didn’t come along and interrupt my world two weeks ago.
From now on, I’m done being invisible. And the next time I see Mike River, I’m telling him to his face what a dick he is.
SIXTEEN
ALEX
Lainey and Theo’sdad greets me when I arrive at their house early in the morning with coffee and donuts from Clocktower Brew House.
“Morning, Alex. Are you looking for Theo?” he asks.
It almost feels as though I’m living two lives, my past self who befriended Theo colliding with my present self who fell for his sister.
“I’m here for Lainey.”
“Lainey?” His brow furrows.
My chest grows tight and my stomach twists with nerves. “She’s—we’ve started—” I’ve never had a meet the parents moment since Lainey’s my first real girlfriend. It’s weirdly intimidating and I’m not sure what to say. “I’m her boyfriend.”
“Oh. I didn’t know she was dating.”
He sizes me up, making the nerves worse. I’ve known him for years, yet I’ve never questioned what he thinks of me more than I am right now. My palms grow hot and clammy.
“Hockey keeps you pretty busy, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, but she’s important to me.” The truth pierces my drumming heart. “Really important. I only want to make her happy.”
Finally, Mr. Boucher nods. “I’m glad to hear that. You’re a good kid, Alex.”
Tension bleeds from my shoulders. “Thanks, sir. Is she home?”
He shakes his head. “You missed her by about twenty minutes. She left.”
