“We can talk, Danny, but later. Let’s get out of here first,” I told my handsome date, trying to pull him from the room.
“Do you want to tell her, son, or would you prefer that I do?” My father’s voice held an irked amusement, the sound exactly what I remembered from being a child after I’d misbehaved in some way. “I assure you that it’s going to come out sooner versus later.”
Another toss of my head and that was the moment my sister decided to snap a photograph with her phone. I gave her a Darth Vader stare. What in the hell was going on and why was it that it seemed I was the only person in the room who wasn’t in on it?
Danny shut his eyes. “Like I said. We need to talk.”
“Whoa. What are you trying to do, Father?” I tipped my head over my shoulder, not providing him with the courtesy of turning around.
“While I’m glad you remembered to use my name since you fell into some trouble tonight, I’d surprised you would think Officer Matheson wouldn’t call me.”
Danny sighed.
“Okay, so what?” I was so exhausted from the ridiculous games. “Yes, we stopped on the way at a park and were enjoying ourselves. We’re young. So what?” I couldn’t help myself, turning around so I could provide each one of my family members with a dirty look.
My sister giggled, obviously in on whatever was going on. “So Danny Wright is married and has two beautiful children.”
“So there’s a surgeon by his name. So what?”
“No, Christine. Daniel Wright the Zamboni operator.”
It took me a full five seconds to process what my father had said. Thankfully, no one dared interrupt the silence. Not even my evil sister. I couldn’t even feel my legs any longer when I turned around like some spinning top to look Danny in the eyes. “You’re married.” I wasn’t asking. I was making a statement.
I don’t know what I expected. Maybe total embarrassment or dropping to his knees, blubbering apologies, but I certainly wasn’t getting it.
He cocked his pretty head, scratching his wrinkled brow with his thumbnail. “Uh, no. I’m not married.”
Delaney giggled again.
“Sshhh or I’ll cut your tongue out,” I snapped. “Okay. I’m thoroughly confused.” Maybe I really had consumed too much alcohol. “You’re not married.”
“No. Well, Danny Wright is. Happily so. At least that’s what he told me.”
“You know, I was surprised when you didn’t take the bait a few weeks ago,” my father said.
“What bait?” I turned so I could see both men. “What fucking bait?”
“You were responsible for the tip to theToday Show.Weren’t you?” Danny asked. Wait a minute. Who was the man? My God, his eyes were on fire.
“Yes, son, I was. I thought what a perfect way to show Americans that their adopted prodigal son was a man-eating beast. You see, your father and his buddy the mayor of Chicago are thorns in my side. Now, imagine my surprise and joy in discovering you would be a guest in my house. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was.”
“You bastard,” Danny said, taking a step forward. I moved in front of him, sensing something terrible was going on.
My laugh sounded completely maniacal. “Who are you? What is my father talking about?”
Danny or whatever the hell his name was rubbed his long, corded neck and I figured that was an excellent place to punch him in the throat. I almost did, but if I resorted to violence, I wouldn’t be provided with an explanation and I deserved one.
The silence in the room was now annoying.
“Tell me!”
He looked the other way until I was in his face, my hand fisted and ready to throw a punch. And still, I was attracted to him even after he’d lied to me.
“My name is Steven Masters. I’m a center with the Tampa Bay Gators.”
“A hockey player.” That wasn’t so bad. Not really. “Why would you lie to me?”
“Because you said you hated hockey players for one. Because I wasn’t eager to admit who I was to anyone. I’m on a short leash with the team.”
