Angus considered Taran’s question. “It looks cool. No pun intended.”
I laughed at his cheeky grin.
Taran, however, remained contemplative. “Ice hockey is quite dangerous.”
Now that she mentioned it, it was. Christ, my mind was so all over the place I hadn’t fully contemplated the realities of Angus possibly playing ice hockey. And now I was concerned.
It seemed there was further discussion to be had.
Heather must have seen my expression change because she directed her words to me. “Angus shouldn’t get too excited. According to Mum, there is very little chance the council will be interested. It’s too expensive to build, run, and maintain, when the budget is needed for essential public services.”
“Nuh-uh.” Angus grimaced at his sister. “Gary says they’re going to try.”
“Gary is living in cloud-cuckoo-land.” Heather flicked me a look. “You should get him to stop filling Angus’s head with things that aren’t going to happen.”
Concerned their stepfather had gotten my son’s hopes up for something that was a long shot, I gave her a small nod. Seeing Angus’s face turn red with fury, I leaned toward him. “You want to know what my favorite part of the game was today?”
Just like that, he was distracted from the coming argument with his sister.
Throughout dinner I tried not to be overly attentive or smothering toward Taran, but I was proud of my kids and the way they easily included her in the conversation. She and Heather chatted more about Glasgow, and Heather, with an openness I was proud of, spoke about her girlfriend Hazel. Kiera and I had talked on the phone, checking in with each other about Heather, and Kiera had informed me our daughter’s attitude had completely changed since she’d come out to us. I could see it now. It was like this massive weight had been lifted from Heather’s shoulders.
“It’ll be more difficult with Hazel in Edinburgh and me in Glasgow, but it’s just a train ride away. We’ll make it work.” I heard Heather say to Taran as Angus chatted around a mouthful of burger to me about his latest computer game.
With one ear on their conversation, I heard Taran reply, “Just make sure you both are communicating honestly the entire time. If you keep worries and resentments to yourself, that’s when things fall apart.”
My lips pinched together, but I nodded along with Angus as he ranted about how his friend was a sore loser for going home after he beat him at the video game. “Definitely a sore loser,” I agreed, even as I fought the urge to reach for Taran’s hand.
She didn’t want what happened to us to happen to Heather and neither did I.
I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, never mind my beautiful kid who deserved all the happiness in the world.
“Aye, Dad said the same,” Heather replied. “Hazel and I have agreed to be fully honest with each other. We both can get a wee bit jealous of other girls, but we’re working on it.”
“The more certain you become of each other, the less that will happen.”
“Do you think?”
“Aye. That’s why communication is so important.”
“Are you talking about dating?” Angus abruptly cut off from explaining Roblox to me. He wrinkled his nose as he glanced between Heather and Taran.
“So what if we are?” Heather raised an eyebrow at him.
Angus frowned. “Kyle said it’s wrong you’re dating a girl.”
Kyle was a little prick.
“One, Kyle shouldn’t know, Angus. You were told to keep quiet.” Heather glared. “Two, you better not be listening to a word he says.”
“I think I need to have a word with your mum about this Kyle kid.”
Angus’s head whipped to me. “But Dad?—”
“If anyone is unkind about your family, they’re not a good friend to you, Angus. We stick up for our family. We don’t let folks get away with saying awful things about them. You and your sister might argue now and then, which is fine, but you don’t let anyone say bad things about her. You’re her brother. You protect her.”
It was not the first time I’d said those words, and the reminder made my son sit up straighter. He nodded. “I’ll tell him he’s a turd.”
Taran coughed, and I knew it was to cover her laughter.
