61 A date with my girlfriend
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
A date with my girlfriend
RILEY
With my bag secured over my shoulder I headed for the exit. Unfortunately to do so I had to navigate a number of hallways, and one of those included passing my dad’s office. Usually he was too backed up with meetings, one-on-ones with players, or game tapes to stop me. Today, I wasn’t so lucky.
“Riley,” he called out. “Come in here.”
No do you have time? Or can I quickly catch you before you go?
I edged into the doorway, subtly checking over my shoulder to make sure there weren’t any suspicious bystanders.
“Are you heading off for the night?” he questioned.
I gestured to my packed bag. “Looks like it.”
Dad, on the other hand, seemed as though he was only just getting comfortable. Typical. A Friday night and he had nowhere else to be. I wondered what his girlfriend was up to. Probably counting her lucky stars that dad was hanging back at work.
“Marcus Lak called me. He mentioned Tanner went to lunch with the Bobcats GM.”
I nodded. “He did.”
There was no point denying it. The hockey world talked.
Dad’s eyes glimmered with hope. “Do you think he’s considering going down that path?”
I didn’t know for sure, but for the first time in my life the answer wasn’t a definite no. That alone was promising .
“I think Tanner is weighing his options.” I fixatedly stared dad down. “And you need to let him figure it out on his own. If he makes the league, it has to be on his own merit and not because he’s your son.”
When dad’s face fell, my stomach plummeted. I wished I wasn’t the pawn between him and Tanner. I wished a lot of things could be different with the three of us.
“You held your own out there today, old man,” I said, attempting to shift the mood.
Dad chuckled. “So did you.”
I’ll admit, while I’d been freaked out initially when dad pulled me into his wager, it’d been fun jesting with him. And the crazy thing was, when I’d made the shot, he’d looked so freaking happy. Almost like he was proud. Dad had never looked at me that way.
Now I knew how Tanner felt. It’s like the key to dad’s happiness was only ever going to be hockey. I wanted to hate him for that, but instead I felt sort of sorry for him. He didn’t have anything else. Maybe that was his fault, I don’t know. But it seemed kind of lonely.
“I’ve enjoyed having you around here the past few weeks,” dad said.
His admission was so raw and unlike him that it took me a moment to rally my brain. Though before I could say anything, he spoke again.
“Richard mentioned you’ll be travelling with the team to Colorado.”
Richard had made the mistake of bringing it up during my weekly assessment with Will. After that, Will hadn’t relented until I agreed to go. He’d then passed the news onto Grace, who’d somehow strongarmed me into agreeing to spend a few extra days with her, Levi and Will.
Will and I had officially been back together for one week, and already we’d pencilled in a couple’s trip.
“Maybe we could get breakfast one morning if you have time,” dad suggested.
I’ll be damned. He’d actually asked rather than demanded the request. For that, I could make time.
I smiled. “Sounds good.”
Dad’s gaze travelled over my shoulder. “Will.”
My heartrate instantly spiked. I’d let my guard down and hadn’t heard Will approach. Luckily he was a bit too far away to have overheard – I hoped.
He slowed, pausing in the doorway beside me. He discreetly draped his arm behind my back and pinched my ass. An instant blush danced along my neck.
“Yes, Coach?”
“I’m hanging back tonight if you want to hit the ice to work through some drills. ”
I thicky swallowed, the resurfacing traits of déjà vu making me uneasy. Will had rescheduled our plans plenty of times when dad offered him extra ice time. One of those being our six-month anniversary.
“Can’t. Sorry, Coach. I’ve got a date with my girlfriend.”
Dad’s eyes widened in surprise. “I didn’t know you had a girlfriend. Is it new?”
Will shook his head. “Nope. I’ve been crushing on this girl since I met her freshman year.”
God, if Will knew he wasn’t simply talking to his coach, he sure wouldn’t be saying the things he was saying.
“I’m going to make the most of the early minute and take her for dinner before we catch a movie.” Will lowered his gaze to me. “Can I walk you to your car on my way out, Riley? It’s getting dark out there.”
What a smooth talker.
Nodding goodbye to my dad, I did my best to keep an impassive expression on my face as I walked beside Will through the hallways. Though that didn’t last when we reached my car. Will backed me against it, his lips lowering over mine. I melted when he made contact. I was an idiot for depriving myself from kissing him.
“Careful, Caufield,” I whispered against his mouth. “You wouldn’t want your girlfriend seeing that before your date night.”
“I wouldn’t want her seeing this either.”
He forced my legs open with his strong thigh. In nothing but gym leggings, I could feel the friction as he pressed against me. At this rate we weren’t going to make it to dinner.
“If we weren’t in the middle of a parking lot I would fuck you on the hood of your car,” he growled.
His admission aroused every inch of my body. I inhaled sharply, my chest brushing against his.
“How about we settle for in your car instead?” I suggested.
His truck was much roomier than my Jeep. Not to mention my windows weren’t tinted.
With a forceful groan Will somehow gathered the resolve and pulled himself off me. “Levi drove today. Besides, the least I can do is buy you dinner before getting you naked.”