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“I have no idea, but it’s probably better for me to be alone for a while, focus on Daniel.”

“Well, if you ever need to talk, you have my number. I’d still like us to hang out.”

“I want that too.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek. Her eyes closed, and when she opened them again they were glossed over. I was starting to think she was putting on a brave face for my benefit, and maybe felt more for me than she was letting on. Truthfully speaking I had feelings for her too, and I wasn’t lying when I said things would have been different if the timing was better, but it didn’t change the fact that the only way for things to work out was if I was no longer in love with Kenzi. And for that I needed more time.

“I hope she remembers you,” whispered Callie. “Because you’re worth remembering.”

I LEFT CALLIE’S place a little while later and drove home. Staci was busy cleaning up in the kitchen, and I found Aiden outside on deck we’d started building on the weekends. I grabbed a beer from the ice bucket we had outside for the guests — who were now all gone — and fell onto the campaign chair beside him.

“Great housewarming,” I joked half-heartedly. Aiden was always quick with a come-back, giving as good as he got, but when he remained silent, I glanced over at him. His expression was pensive, but I could tell something had burrowed under his skin. Being me, I waited him out. A few minutes passed before he spoke.

“Kenzi’s asleep in your room.” He sipped his beer. “I’ll move her to Staci’s room before I leave.”

“Let her sleep. I’ll crash with Daniel.” Staci had put him to bed already, and I could have kissed her for that. I was still grappling with taking on a more parental role in Daniel’s life, adding it to a long list of things I was adjusting to.

“She was so upset, man. After you left, it took me and Staci an hour to calm her down enough to tell us what happened.”

“She was fine when I dropped her off at your Dad’s place, I swear.” Not a complete lie, but I didn’t feel it was the right time to tell Aiden about our almost-accident.

“I know,” he replied. “I didn’t think it was you. I thought it was because of Alex, but Kenzi said it wasn’t him either.”

I cleared my throat, and took another sip of my beer. “So what happened?”

Aiden exhaled so heavily I felt the air leave his body. “She walked in on my Dad and a woman he’s been seeing.”

“Like, dating?”

Aiden nodded. “Yeah. He’s been seeing her for a while, but we decided not to tell Kenzi yet. And now I know that was the wrong thing to do. We just weren’t sure how to tell her.”

Coach Davis’ wife passed away almost twelve years ago. Kenzi was seven years old when her Mom was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and a year later, she was gone. It took a few months for Kenzi to open up about her Mom, and when she did I got a glimpse of how hard it was for her family.

“Your Dad deserves to be happy,” I added quietly, not sure that anything I said would be helpful in this situation.

“Yeah,” sighed Aiden. “I don’t want him to be alone for the rest of his life, you know? But try explaining that to Kenzi when she’s so emotional. There’s no reasoning with her.” His lips tilted, his slight smile wistful as if he were recalling a happy memory. “She gets that from Mom. Looks just like her too.” Aiden looked at me. “You know, Connor and Natalie took care of Kenzi after Mom died because Dad cried every time he looked at her. Said it was too hard.”

“I didn’t know that.” Coach Davis was tough as nails, and he scared a lot of people, but Kenzi told me he adored his wife, and even more so when they found out she was pregnant with Kenzi.

“After some time though, he came around and his life became about us. And hockey.”

“So Kenzi walked in on your Dad with his,” I paused, thinking of how to phrase it, “friend?”

“They were just having dinner. She’s nice, and she cares about my Dad, but we thought if Kenzi found out she’d assume my Dad was trying to replace my Mom. Turns out I was right about that.”

“Have you spoken to your Dad?”

“Called him after Kenzi fell asleep. He wanted to come here, but I told him Kenzi would talk to him when she was ready.”

“She’ll be fine. I found it was always best to let her have her moment and then talk to her.”

Aiden’s expression turned both somber and serious. “We’ve never spoken about it, you and me, but I’m sorry for how I handled things the night of Kenzi’s accident. If I’d known you better I wouldn’t have been so against you two dating. I was wrong, I see that now.”

“I don’t blame anyone else for what happened, Aiden. It’s on me, and I have lived with not coming clean to you guys every day since her accident.”

“We don’t blame you either. Can’t imagine how hard it’s been knowing you remember everything and Kenzi doesn’t.”

He had no idea.

“Did you talk to Callie?”