Chapter 54
PETAL
I pull into the rink parking garage using the pass Rake got me. He suggested I stop by at the end of one of his practices so he could show me some of the stuff he does with a stick and puck.
Or something like that.
Anyway, it will be nice to see his friends again. I want to make sure they show up for my mother’s party. It’ll be awful for Rake if the party is only my mother’s friends and a bunch of old-time San Franciscans.
I show my pass to security and settle in behind the hockey glass—Rake told me that’s what it’s called—on the first row of benches, and glance around at the handful of other people watching.
Oh shit.
I spot Rake’s father on the other side of the rink.
I wonder if Rake’s seen him yet.
The guys on the ice are doing some fancy stuff with their sticks, doing what must be the ‘stickhandling’ skills Rake acted out for me last night. He looks my way and throws me a devastatingly cute smile.
My heart flips and I feel all tingly inside. I give him a little wave with my fingers.
It appears he has not spotted his father.
I consider approaching Rake’s dad, to see what he wants and also suggest it might not be the best time for a visit. But if I get up, Rake will look for me. And then will find me talking to him.
That could get ugly. But I have to do it.
I quietly get up and walk around the rink when Rake seems to be concentrating really hard, hoping he won’t notice me moving.
“Mr. Hanson,” I say, sliding into a seat next to him, “hello.”
“Hello, Miss Parker. Saw you on the other side of the rink.”
Did he also see how brilliantly his son smiled at me? I suppose not.
“Mr. Hanson, do you think we could chat out in the lobby?”
He looks around and shrugs. “Sure. That’s fine.”
He follows me, and before we exit, I look back to see if Rake’s noticed me missing. He still looks busy.
“Mr. Hanson, I don’t think it’s a good idea you’re here,” I say with all the kindness I can. I don’t mean to hurt the man, but I do want him to know he’s about to walk into an ugly hornet’s nest.
He scoffs, because of course. “Funny. I was about to say the same thing to you.”
No surprise there.
“Mr. Hanson, I told Rake about how you came to see me at the bookstore. He was very upset. I know he wants to talk to you, but this might not be the place.”
“Have you considered what we talked about?” he asks. “What you’re going to do about distracting my son?”
Oh. I see. This is not going to be as simple as I hoped.
“I can’t help it if that’s how you choose to see our relationship. You should also know, it doesn’t matter to me what you think. My relationship with Rake is my business. Not yours. But I can assure you that we are a couple. We are in love.”
There. I said it.
A vein in the side of Mr. Hanson’s neck bulges as he stretches to his full height and stares me down.
Really? You’re going to try to physically intimidate me?
“If you don’t think about what you’re doing, Mr. Hanson, you will lose your son. That would break his heart and it would break mine too.”
He growls and I swear he even bares his teeth a little. I brace myself, because it’s clear he’s about to blow his top.
“You are a selfish girl,” he yells, each word getting louder.
Oh God. I look around and see he’s caught the attention of rink security. They are making their way over to us right now.
“You are ruining Rake. You know it, I know it. The only person who doesn’t know it is my idiot son, who is probably just happy to get into your pants.
You think you can be with a pro athlete?
Are you kidding? You’re nothing special.
Have you seen the wives of pro athletes?
It won’t take long for everyone to realize your marriage is a farce—”
I want to be furious with this man. To hate him and everything about him.
I want to scream at him to go fuck himself, and tell him Rake doesn’t need him and never has.
Instead, a heartbreaking sadness floods me, the kind of sadness you feel when all the hope before you dies, and you know there’s no coming back.
That’s how I feel about Don Hanson right now. He’s a sad man, and I am sad for him.
Two security guards flank him. “Sir. You are going to have to leave—”
“What’s going on here?” We turn to see Rake coming toward us, still in his skates and practice clothes.
“Rake!” Mr. Hanson shouts, trying to shake off the guards. “That is my son.”
The security guys look at Rake. “Is this true? This is your father?”
Rake nods. “You can let him go.”
They release him, but only take a few steps back.
“Dad. I think you should leave. You can’t talk to Petal like that, and you can’t come here and shout in the lobby.”
Rake places his hand on his father’s arm, the same place the security guard did, and starts pulling him to the door. Mr. Hanson follows, and I just stand there like I’ve been stung by a thousand bees.
Jonas and Tyler come running out, having heard the ruckus. “Petal, are you okay?”
I nod, not wanting to speak, because I know my voice will break.
“He’s a piece of work, Rake’s dad. Don’t let him get to you,” Tyler says, putting a hand on my shoulder.
I nod. “Thanks, guys,” I mumble
Fuck. They must have heard the whole thing. So embarrassing.
“Do… do you guys think I’m messing up Rake’s life?” I ask quietly.
Jonas pulls me to him. “Oh, honey. Don’t listen to that man. There’s always some jerk who says that to every woman who dates an athlete.”
“Or in their case, marries,” Tyler adds.
Jonas releases me and holds me at arms’ length. “You’ve made a difference in Rake’s life, honey. That’s all you need to know.”
I blink and a couple tears run down my face.
“Thanks, guys. So much.” I clear my throat. “Now, please tell me you’re coming to my mother’s party.”
“’Course we are,” Jonas says, patting my shoulder.
“I have one question though, Petal,” Tyler says, his expression full of worry, “are we supposed to bring wedding gifts?”
I try not to laugh at him but when I start, I can’t stop.