Chapter 21
TALLY
“How long has this been going on?” Dad asks as he collects his things from his office.
“We haven’t even gone on an official date yet,” I reply.
“He took you out for dinner the other night, though.” He steps into the hall, pulling his office door closed behind him.
“That wasn’t a date. That was my friend stepping up for me when you prioritized work over me.”
“I’m sorry. That meeting was unexpected.”
“Surprise meetings usually are.” I punch the down button on the elevator, frustrated all over again. Flip keeps showing up for me and my dad keeps letting me down.
He circles back to the date. “Has he asked you out?”
“Yes.”
“When did he do that?” he presses.
I side-eye him. “After he talked to you.”
“So this has been building for a while.”
I sigh. “I’ve been friends with Flip for a long time, Dad.
I hang out with the Terror regularly, and he’s been part of that friend group.
Over the past year, we’ve grown a lot closer.
He’s considerate, thoughtful, ambitious and dedicated.
I like him and he likes me. I think it says a lot about him as a person that he came to you first, before he asked me out, don’t you? ”
“It definitely won him some brownie points,” he agrees, albeit reluctantly. “Dating a player won’t be easy, honey.” The elevator doors slide open, and my dad holds his hand in front of the sensor, waiting for me to exit first.
“Dating anyone as the Terror coach’s daughter is never easy. At least we understand each other’s lives.”
“He has a lot more…life experience than you.” He unlocks the truck.
I climb in the passenger seat, thankful the ride to the Watering Hole is short. “Of course he does. He’s been alive longer.” I know where he’s going with this, and it isn’t a conversation I’m interested in having with my dad.
He pulls out of the underground parking lot and into traffic. “You know that’s not what I mean. Madden is a good guy and an excellent hockey player. He’s grown a lot in the last few years, but I witnessed firsthand what he was like before he settled down.”
“So did I. I’m not dating Flip from four years ago, I’m dating him now. Please have some faith in my ability to make smart decisions when it comes to relationships.”
He rubs the space between his eyes. “I want to be cool about this, but I can’t unknow some of the things I know about Flip.”
“We can’t define people by their worst decisions,” I say pointedly.
He sighs. “I just want what’s best for you.”
“Me, too. And I think that Flip can be that. Look at all the ways he shows he cares. I think his current actions mean a lot more than his past ones.”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I know, and I love you, even though some of the things that have happened recently have really hurt.”
“I’m sorry. I love you, too.” He pulls up in front of the Watering Hole.
“Then keep showing up for me and Ties and Fenna.” I lean over and kiss him on the cheek. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Of course, honey. Have fun with your friends.”
I open the door.
“And please be safe,” he tacks on.
“I will. I promise.”
I close the door and turn toward the Watering Hole.
My heart rate spikes. I guess now we find out how our friends feel about this.
All heads at the table turn my way as I push through the door. My stomach twists. My palms dampen. Flip is already out of his chair, closing the distance between us.
Anticipation turns my heart into hummingbird wings.
“How you doing?” Flip slips his fingers under my hair, hand curving against my jaw. It’s innocent, but comforting and stimulating at the same time.
“Okay. Nervous.”
“It’s me they want to grill, not you.” He wraps his other arm around me and pulls me against him.
He’s claiming me. In front of our friends. In front of all these people. He squeezes gently then pulls back, eyes roving over my face. “You’re audaciously beautiful.”
I laugh and duck my head.
Flip tips my chin up. “You being all shy with me, kitten?”
“Everyone’s watching,” I whisper.
“Good.” His thumb sweeps along the edge of my jaw. “Now they know who I belong to.”
My heart stutters and desire, thick and heady, zings through me. He’s not just claiming me, he’s asking to be claimed. I wet my bottom lip, mouth dry. How is this real life?
Flip’s nostrils flare, and he traces the contour with his thumb. He leans down, lips brushing my cheek as he lowers to my ear. “I’m looking forward to tasting those pretty, tempting lips when I drive you home later.”
I grip his bicep, knees turning watery at his gravelly tone. “You could kiss me now.”
“Not in front of these people, kitten. Only I get to see you melt for me.”
I whimper.
His fingers flex on my hip. “I love that sound.” He straightens and laces our fingers. “Make it again for me later.”
I shake off the haze. “Oh, that was evil.”
“I’ll make it worth the wait, don’t worry.” He winks and guides me to the table, where he’s already ordered me a cola and a margarita.
Flip helps me out of my jacket, and into my seat.
Quinn breaks the tension. “Anyone need a shot?”
“Never again.” I have no verbal filter when I’m drunk.
“Probably again, though,” Hammer chirps.
Everyone chuckles.
Connor stretches his arm across the back of Dred’s chair. “What does Flip have planned for your date this weekend?”
“Um.” I look to Flip.
“It’s a surprise,” he informs me.
“You better not take Tally to East Side’s,” Rix warns.
“Like that’s where I’d take Talls for our first date.”
“I’ll have Sam and Isaac on standby just in case,” Hemi warns.
“You won’t need them,” Flip says confidently. “I have a fantastic first date planned, and you can ask Tally all about it after it happens.”
“What’s the dress code?” Shilpa, the team lawyer, fishes.
“That’s actually a good question.” And one I haven’t asked yet.
“You would look beautiful in a burlap sack,” Flip assures me.
“I don’t own one of those, so we can’t test that theory,” I quip.
“You have lots of pretty dresses, though.”
“Do not take Tally to glow-in-the-dark mini putt in a dress and heels.” Rix points a finger at her brother.
Flip gives her the side-eye. “As if I would do that.”
“You suck at mini putt.” Tristan smirks.
I jump in. “I don’t mind mini putt.”
“You can kick my ass in the future, but it will not be on our first date,” Flip replies.
It inspires conversation about best and worst dates from our friends. I don’t share my worst date, since I don’t want Hemi to sic her brothers on the guy, or for Flip to track him down and unalive him.
I down my cola in a hurry, mouth dry from all the anxiety of tonight.
“I’ll get you another.” Flip squeezes my hand and hops off his chair.
“Okay. Thanks.” I’m hyperaware of the way my friends’ significant others are casually affectionate with each other, and I don’t know what to do with my hands.
“You know we’re just giving him the gears because we love you, right?” Rix says.
“And also because Flip hasn’t been on an actual date since we were in high school,” Tristan adds.
“For real, though?” Quinn seems mystified.
“Pretty much. He had a girlfriend when we were at the Hockey Academy, right?” Dallas chimes in.
“That’s right,” Tristan confirms.
Before I can ask more questions about the high school girlfriend, Flip returns with my cola.
At the same time a pair of women approach.
I’m immediately on alert as they aim their wide smiles at Flip. “Hey!” The one with sandy blonde hair throws her arms around him. “It’s been forever!”
Flip freezes, jaw tight, along with the rest of his body.
She releases him. “You remember me, right?” She taps over her heart and winks. “Trinity.” This draws attention to her ample, enviable cleavage. Then she squeezes her friend’s shoulder. “And Tiffany.”
“Oh, fuck me.” Tristan wraps a protective arm around Rix and drops his head, whispering something in her ear.
My stomach sinks and twists. Flip shifts subtly, putting his body between me and the women.
Tiffany’s gaze shifts to Tristan, and she pales. She grabs Trinity’s arm and whispers something that makes her eyes flare.
Trinity’s smile turns wooden. “Sorry to interrupt,” she says. “It was nice to, uh… Have a good night.”
The two of them rush off, heads together.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out how Trinity and Tiffany know Flip and Tristan.
Normally, bunnies don’t approach the guys when we’re at the Watering Hole. It’s supposed to be a safe space. Suddenly I feel out of my depth. While I knew eventually it would happen, I didn’t expect it tonight.
“I’m taking Bea home,” Tristan announces as he pushes his chair back.
Rix lets him help her into her jacket. Tristan seems more upset than she does.
She rounds the table to hug me. “They’re no one and you’re everything, just remember that.”
“Thanks.”
“We all have your back.”
My stomach is a mess as she moves to hug Flip and murmurs something to him.
A moment later he’s at my side, arm stretched protectively across the back of my chair, finger tucked under my chin. “Are you okay?”
I bite my lip and nod, not trusting my voice, and not entirely sure I’m being honest. But everyone is watching again, and not for any good reason.
His eyes search mine. “Why don’t we head out, kitten?”
“Okay.” Between our friends, my dad, and those women, I’m at capacity for anxiety-invoking situations.
“I’m taking Talls home,” he announces as he helps me down from my stool and into my coat.
I relish each brush of his fingers and the gentle contact.
I hug the girls, who all whisper words of reassurance.
Flip laces our fingers. It’s such a simple thing, but it sets me at ease as he guides me to the door.
Once we’re alone and the engine is running, he turns to me. “Can I touch you?”
I nod.
“I need you to say it out loud. I need your verbal permission, Tally.” He’s serious, and on edge.
“I would like you to touch me,” I whisper.
We exhale matching relieved breaths as he slides his shaking hand under my hair and curves his wide palm around the back of my neck. “Do you understand why I need permission?”