A shit eating grin takes over my face as I pull off my mask and gloves. Skating over to my team, we huddle together, celebrating our win.
When we’re done, we make our way off the ice.
“Way to go, team.” My dad is beaming from ear to ear. The way he looks at me with pure pride in his eyes, has my chest puffing out. I know he can tell that I’ve been distracted lately because he’s asked me about it. I’ve brushed it off, told him I’ve been going too hard at the gym.
Not like I’d tell him the truth.“What’s wrong? Well, dad, I’ve been jacking off to the thought of my stepsister every night for the last eight years. And now that she’s back, I feel like I’m slowly losing my mind.”
Yeah, not happening.
“Alright, guys, let’s hit the locker room. Rest up, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow!”
I stay behind as the rest of the team heads off. “You okay?” Dad asks, raising a brow. He turns around and I follow him.
Am I okay?No, I'm not okay.He has no idea how hard it’s been to bite my tongue while Eloise has been trying to pimp her daughter out to the highest bidder like some prized pony.
I’ve never liked the woman, but I tolerated her because she stayed out of my business. But the way she treats Addie has always pissed me off.
Eloise looks down on her because she’s not the daughter Eloise wants her to be. God forbid someone be their own person.
That's one thing I love about my dad. He’s never forced me to do anything I didn’t want to do. I’m not playing hockey because it’s his dream, I do it because it’s mine.
Luckily we have the same passion. He played in the Knotty Puckers league for years before taking on a professional coaching job in the league. I just so happen to be the offspring of one of the greats.
It doesn’t mean I used nepotism to get me where I am. I worked just as hard as everyone else in this league. I earned my place. Maybe I did have a bit of an advantage when it came to training because my father would work with me whenever he was home. But that just helped me improve as a player.
“I’m fine,” I lie, keeping my eyes forward. “Just tired.”
He nods. “Make sure you get a good night's rest then.”
“I’ll try.”
We get to the locker room, and I’m about to head in when I pause. “Hey, Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“Why do you put up with her shit?”
He doesn’t have to ask who I’m talking about. He knows.
I’ve been trying to spend as little time at home as I can, staying away from temptation and all that bullshit. But today I forgot my good luck charm at home and knew I couldn’t play without it.
I caught the tail end of Eloise’s fucked up words to her daughter as I was walking in the door.
Addie didn’t see me as she ran past, tears in her eyes. It took everything in me not to burst into that kitchen and go off on her. How fucking dare she call Addie a whore!?
My dad didn’t agree with it either. In the twelve years they’ve been together, I can only name a handful of times that I've heard them fighting, but my dad wasn’t going to let it go. He likes Addie, respects her. They have always had a cute relationship, and I didn’t mind sharing my dad with her when the only parent she had was a raging cunt.
Still, he doesn’t leave her, and I don’t know why.
“It’s not that easy, Damien. You know that.”
“Actually, I don’t. Addie is her kid. She should be there for her, not putting her down. She’s only twenty-five. Not everyone knows how their life is going to turn out at that age. She deserves the chance to find herself, not have packs shoved down her throat. She should be allowed to choose Alphas who respect her, and love her for who she is. Addie isn’t like her mother; she’s different, in a good way. She shouldn’t have to change for that witch,” I hiss, “And she sure as hell shouldn’t have to be forced into a pack with whatever yahoos Eloise has been setting her up with. Addie made mistakes, but we all do, so why does she have to be punished for it? Can’t you help her out?”
“It’s not my place,” Dad sighs. “I’m doing the best I can, but Addie is Eloise’s daughter, not mine.”
“Bullshit. We both know damn well that you see her as your own.” It’s the number one reason I’ve kept away from Addie all these years. Among other things.
“Addie is welcome to stay with us as long as she likes. I plan on giving her a credit card for my account. Addie is a smart girl. She’s doing this to please her mother, but we both know she’s not going to pick any of these packs. Eloise leaves for Italy next week for a month. Addie just has to hold out until then.”
