My gaze goes to Beckett. “Because she’s going out with a complete stranger. What if he’s a serial killer?”
My dad laughs. “He’s not a serial killer.”
“No, he definitely isn’t,” Beckett says, eyes wary.
“So you’re okay with this? And you,” I look at Gavin, “You don’t think it looks bad to have our coach traipsing around town with different men?—”
“Watch it.” Beckett’s voice is cold, his tone sharp.
My face heats. “You know what I’m saying. I care about Adeline just as much as you do?—”
He arches his brows. “Do you? Would you give up everything for that girl? Because I would. Don’t play a game of chicken with me.”
Frowning, my dad scrutinizes me, probably trying to figure out how I’m going to handle this.
That’s a good question.
Eventually I let out a long breath, willing my anger to settle. Beckett doesn’t deserve my wrath. Neither does Adeline. I do. I’m the idiot who fucked up. “I just want to know she’s safe,” I say, not bothering to hide the desperation in my voice.
“Addie’s got a good head on her shoulders.” Aiden dips his chin. “She’ll be good.”
“And I already looked into every man on the list,” Beckett adds, throwing me a bone.
Dad scowls. “You what?”
“Like you wouldn’t do anything to keep Chloe from getting hurt,” he throws back.
Lips tugged down thoughtfully, my dad nods. “You’re right.”
“Anyway,” Beckett says, eyeing me again. “Everyone on the list seems legit. No problematic men.”
“Okay, but what if you missed something?” I point out.
“What would you like us to do?” Brooks asks, always the calmest man in the room.
I throw my arms out wide. “I don’t know. Maybe we should follow her? Just be nearby in case something goes wrong?”
Uncle Hayden laughs, then lets out anoofwhen my dad hits him in the stomach.
“No, maybe he’s onto something,” Beckett muses, scratching at his jaw. “What would it hurt if we all went out to dinner and just happened to be in the same restaurant? If anything goes wrong?—”
“Which it won’t,” my father says, looking from Beckett to me. “This is your mother’s magazine. She’d never risk Addie’s safety. She loves her like her own.”
“Still,” I grumble, squeezing my hands into fists.
Beckett nods. “Yeah, still.”
Gavin laughs. He’s much more relaxed when he’s hanging out with his brothers than when he’s playing the role of coach. “You’re just agreeing with him because you think it’ll let you work around Liv’s no meddling in your children’s dating lives rule. You realize we see right through you, right?”
Beckett shrugs, unbothered. “I’m just watching out for my little girl.”
“Yeah, he’s just watching out for his little girl,” I agree.
“So what time’s dinner?” Uncle Garreth asks.
The stress has already begun to fade when I start my workout, and by the time I’m done, I feel lighter than I have in days. This will be good. I can watch out for Adeline, and once all my bullshit is settled, I’ll finally make my move.
When the door to the gym opens and Beckett strolls in, I smile, wiping sweat from my forehead. “Enjoy your game?”
