6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Declan
“Please hold the elevator,” someone calls out. I press the button and two people walk in.
I’ve seen the guy around the apartment a couple of times, but the woman is new. She’s wearing an oversized black shirt with jeans and boots. Her brunette hair is in a ponytail and she has a dog with her. She’s gorgeous.
“Look, Daddy, a doggy!” Lily tugs my hand, excitement in her blue eyes. I glance down, and sure enough, there’s a tiny puppy on the floor. The woman turns and smiles at me, then crouches to my daughter’s height.
“This is Peanut,” she says.
“Hey, Peanut!” Lily cries out. “Daddy, can I pet him?”
The woman looks up at me, smiling. “He’s harmless.”
I nod once, watching as she places the dog into Lily’s hands. They pet the dog together, Lily’s giggles filling the small space.
“What’s your name?” the woman asks Lily.
“I’m Lily and this is my daddy, Declan.”
“I’m Millie and this is Chase,” she introduces herself and the man beside her. I catch Chase watching her and a pang of jealousy hits me. Millie is beautiful.
“Where are you going?” Lily asks Millie.
“Lily, that’s inappropriate,” I say, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Millie giggles, a sound that sends a small thrill through me. “It’s okay. We’re headed to the dog park.”
“Can we go, Daddy?” Lily’s blue eyes look up at me, filled with hope.
“We were going to get you dinner and then I have to get to practice,” I remind her. Her face falls and I feel a pang of guilt. The elevator doors open.
“Nice to meet you!” Chase says to me.
I nod once. Millie takes the dog back and tells Lily, “Hopefully next time, we can go to the park together.”
Lily claps her hands. “Okay! Bye, Millie!”
We walk in the opposite direction, heading to my car. “She’s so nice, isn’t she, Daddy?”
“Yes,” I mutter, distracted. “The dog seems nice.”
“No, Daddy. Millie.”
I groan internally, as I help my daughter into her car seat. I buckle my own seatbelt and we head out. “Daddy, you’re going the wrong way. Burger King is that way.”
I shake my head. “We need to make a quick stop.”
“Where?” she asks, confused.
“The clinic,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Why?”
“Because, princess, I’m allergic to dogs.”
We pull into the clinic parking lot. My eyes are starting to itch and I feel the familiar tightness in my chest. Lily looks concerned as I park the car.
“I didn’t know you were allergic,” she says, her voice small.
“It’s okay, Lily. It’s just a little allergy,” I reassure her, forcing a smile.
We walk into the clinic and I sign in at the front desk. Lily sits beside me, swinging her legs. “Do you need a shot or something?”
“Yeah, probably,” I say. The nurse calls us back and I get the shot. It stings, but the relief is almost immediate. We walk back to the car, and I can breathe a little easier.
“Daddy, can we still go to Burger King?”
“Yeah, princess. Let’s get you some dinner.”
We drive to Burger King and I can’t help but think about Millie and Chase. That giggle of hers, the way she crouched down to Lily’s level—it all replays in my mind. I pull into the drive-thru and order Lily’s favorite meal.
“Thanks, Daddy,” she says, munching on her fries.
“You’re welcome, princess.”
As we head home, I can’t stop thinking about Millie. Maybe next time, we’ll join them at the dog park. Maybe next time, I’ll get to hear that giggle again.
“Lily, finish up. Your babysitter is almost here and I need to get ready for practice,” I say, setting her up at the kitchen table.
“Okay, Daddy,” she says, already engrossed in her iPad.
I head to my bedroom to grab my gear. I text Finn, letting him know I’m almost ready to leave for the rink. Most days, we usually go together. Sure enough, he texts back, saying, “Wait up. I’ll be there in five.”
I carry my bag and skates to the kitchen. A few minutes later, Finn walks in, decked out in his full regalia sans the skates.
“Dude, we can change at the rink,” I tell him.
“No way,” he says, shaking his head. “I’ve been late for the last three practices. I don’t want to be on Coach Nate’s bad side.”
I laugh. “We’re going together, dumbass. You won’t be late.”
He grins and walks over to Lily. “How’s my favorite girl doing?” He kisses her head.
Lily beams up at him. “Hey, Finn. I met the nicest lady today.”
“Oh, do tell!” Finn says, stealing some of her fries. Lily protests and I watch them, smiling.
“Are you done terrorizing my daughter?” I ask.
He nods and then there’s a knock at the door. I leave Lily to tell Finn all about Millie and Peanut and head to the door. Claire stands on the other side. She’s a college student who’s been looking after Lily for extra money for the last six months. They seem to get along, so it works for me.
“Hey, Claire. Money’s on the table and Lily’s been fed,” I tell her.
Claire smiles and goes to say hi to Lily. I kiss Lily goodbye and then drag Finn away by the collar of his shirt.
“We’re co-captains. You’re right, we can’t be late,” I remind him.
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go,” he says, rolling his eyes.
We head out to my car. Finn tosses his gear in the back and hops into the passenger seat. I slide in behind the wheel, and we’re off.
“So, who’s this lady Lily was talking about?” Finn asks as I drive.
“Just a neighbor, I think. Her name’s Millie. She has a puppy named Peanut.”
“Millie, huh? She hot?” Finn smirks.
“Shut up, Finn.”
“What? It’s a valid question. I knew a Millie once, and she was fucking hot!”
“I know.” I’ve heard this story way too many times. The woman he brought to a hotel, who snuck out the next day and he hasn’t seen her since.
“So…is she hot?” he repeats
“She’s... yeah, she’s beautiful,” I admit.
Finn laughs. “I knew it. So, you gonna ask her out?”
“Focus on the game, man,” I say, trying to change the subject.
“Fine, fine. But you should totally ask her out,” he insists.
“I don’t think that is an option, actually.”
“Why?” My mind goes to the man she was with, how he watched her the entire time. He was clearly enamored with her.
“Drop it, Finn.”
We reach the rink, and Finn’s out of the car before I even park properly. He’s practically running to the entrance.
“Dumbass,” I mutter, grabbing my gear and following him.
Inside, the rink is buzzing with activity. Players are everywhere, warming up, stretching, and gearing up. I spot Coach Nate and give him a nod. He nods back, eyes narrowing slightly at Finn.
“Glad you made it on time, Finn,” Coach Nate says, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Finn grins sheepishly. “Wouldn’t miss it, Coach.”
We head to the locker room to finish gearing up. Finn’s already in his skates, tying them up as fast as he can. I pull on my skates and adjust my pads.
“Ready?” I ask, standing up.
“Born ready,” Finn says, smirking.
We head out onto the ice, joining the rest of the team. The cold air hits me and I take a deep breath, feeling the familiar rush of excitement. Practice is intense, as always. Coach Nate pushes us hard and by the end, we’re all exhausted, but satisfied.
“Good practice,” I say to Finn as we head back to the locker room.
“Yeah. We killed it out there,” he agrees, grinning.
We change quickly, eager to get home. As we’re walking out, Finn nudges me. “So, about Millie...”
“Drop it, Finn.”
“Come on, Declan. You know you want to.”
“She has a boyfriend…and you know I don’t date.”
“Do you know for sure that she has a boyfriend, or are you simply speculating?”
“Finn!” I groan.
“Listen, man, it has been way too long since you hooked up with someone. We’re spending days at the rink, freezing our balls off. Why not just consider someone to keep you warm every now and then?”
“Did you miss the part where she might have a boyfriend?”
“So? People have open relationships now!”
“I think you have taken way too many pucks to the head, man,” I laugh.
“I’m not telling you to marry this girl. Just think about talking to her. This is the first time I’ve even heard you mention a woman being beautiful since her.”
I roll my eyes. “Maybe. We’ll see.”
Finn laughs. “That’s progress. I’ll take it.” Then he starts walking in the opposite direction.
“Wait, where the hell are you going?” I ask him.
“Cold balls remember? I am going to the bar to get someone to warm them,” he grins at me.
“You’re a dumbass,” I laugh as I climb into my car.
“Maybe. Say goodnight to Lily for me.”
“I will.”
We part ways, and I head back home. When I walk in, Lily is still at the kitchen table, drawing something on her iPad. Claire is on the couch, reading a textbook.
“Hey, princess. How was the rest of your evening?” I ask Lily.
“Good. Claire helped me with my homework.”
“Great. Thanks, Claire,” I say, giving her a smile.
“No problem. She’s a good kid,” Claire replies, packing up her things.
I walk Claire to the door and hand her the payment. “See you next time.”
“Bye, Mr. Hughes. Bye, Lily!” she calls out as she leaves.
“Bye, Claire!” Lily shouts back.
I turn to Lily. “Ready for bed, kiddo?”
“Can I finish this first?” she asks, holding up her iPad.
“Sure. Ten more minutes.”
I head to my room, pulling out my phone. I see a message from Finn.
Ask her out.
I laugh to myself. Maybe I will. But for now, it’s just me and Lily. And that’s more than enough.