Chapter 20
HOLDEN
Lexi gives me a peculiar stare as we stand in the reception room of a country club outside of Chicago.
Lake Spark may be a hockey town, but sometimes sponsors like to get away from the ice for a children’s charity and find neutral territory for athletes from all teams to come together for a cause.
These events can be fun. Still, my team at home are not impressed, which is why Lori’s stare is more a near scowl—but still cute.
“I’m not sure this counts as a family outing?” Lexi chides but then touches my arm and completely relaxes and smiles because she’s joking.
I snicker. “I can’t get out of it. It’s a sponsor that I still have a contract with. It’s why I still appear at sports functions. At least it’s a family-themed event and you got to watch me attempt to golf one hole, no?”
“And you should just stick to hockey,” she mumbles but then stands tall. “My dad is here, and I spoke to him for a little bit. I’m surprised I didn’t need to chain you up and drag you here because of that. How could you not want to fake a sickness and get out of this?” Lexi refutes.
“I’m aware.” I sigh. I need to face him eventually.
After all, with my kids now in the loop about my relationship status, then it’s a step into the not-casual-dating category.
I owe Coach Moore a chat. I missed the traditional train to ask for permission to date his daughter, but I can still make an effort.
I study my kids for a second. Lori scans the room while Harry is already beelining it to the snack table. My face turns pleading when I face my daughter. “An hour or two tops, then I promise we can do something just the four of us.”
“Does fun include shopping?” Her tone is flat.
“Not exactly.” But the four of us, for sure.
Since everything between Lexi and me is out in the open, everyone seems a little happier.
Lori in particular seems to have bonded with Lexi, which is refreshing to see since Lori could use a strong female figure in her life to look up to.
It also brings Harry and me closer because the pranks have died down and I don’t have to spend time defusing fires.
Lexi plants her hands on Lori’s shoulders and guides her in a new direction. “Come on, I hear there are cute junior hockey players visiting this event, and we can go look at them over there.” Lexi flashes her eyes at me as they leave.
Still, I manage to hear them as they walk away. “Does it matter? I see the Spinners practice at the rink all the time,” my daughter reminds Lexi.
Ruefully, I shake my head as a guy calls my name. I turn to see Trey, an old buddy from my team.
“Hey, if it’s not Mr. Entrepreneur himself.” His hand comes up to shake mine. A strong hold because it’s nearly a side hug.
“Hey, Trey. Long time no see. How’s life treating you?”
He hitches a thumb over his shoulder. “Pretty damn awesome. Kim is over there talking to a few of the other wives. She’s holding baby one, and baby two is on the way. Gotta have those kids close together in age. Complete the diaper phase in one big swoosh.” Trey shines, and it’s great to see.
“Congrats. My kids are around here somewhere.”
“They must be big now. I still don’t know how you managed to play hockey on little sleep. Respect.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Miss the team life?”
I place a hand on my waist. “Nah, it was a great life. A little wild at times. Eventually we settle down, or at least I wanted to. I need the energy too, for my kids. It’s like the first years are chaotic, then you get a break age six to ten, and then it goes back into the unruly phase where you want to grit your teeth far too many times to prevent words you shouldn’t say from leaving your mouth. ”
Trey chuckles. “Thanks for the warning.” He nudges my arm.
“And… might have noticed that you didn’t come alone today.
” He raises his brows. “Man, the coach’s daughter?
Didn’t see that one coming. But does it count when you’re no longer on the team and have retired?
Surely, his cold glare coming straight for us is a signal that it isn’t a big deal.
Even if you and Lexi look pretty damn good together. ”
“I am lucky. Easy on the eyes, younger to keep me rejuvenated, and an absolutely great personality.”
He smiles to himself. “Hope luck is on your side because Coach Moore has arrived to talk to you.” Trey winks to me and then gives the man behind my shoulder a smile.
“Hey, Coach, we still have it in us. See how our team came together to golf? A reflection of your fine leadership. It’s just some of us forgot about certain rules pertaining to your daughter.
” He’s proud of himself as he pivots and leaves.
Trey has a good heart, and everything he does is in a positive jest. Maybe he even just lightened the blow because I turn to face the man that I need to speak to.
“Coach Moore,” I greet him.
“Holden.” His tone is stiff, and he indicates that we should step to the corner out of earshot, which I feel is probably a great idea.
Nervously I smile, reminding myself that I’m a grown man who was always determined and fearless. “I’ve been wanting to reach out and talk to you. Life has been a little busy with the Dizzy Duck and my kids.”
“Not to mention my daughter. You seem to be busy with my daughter.” His cold demeanor is nearly scary as shit, but in the corner of my eye I see Lexi giving me an encouraging thumbs up.
“Listen, you can doubt my intentions or believe I’m not the right fit for Lexi, but I won’t hear what you have to say about it. All that matters is that Lexi and I believe that we’re something worth building on.” I’m firm in tone, my stance strong.
His eyes survey my body up and down. “I’m concerned about the experiences you have.
You’ve been through a lot, when Lexi has lived one big carefree journey, even if it means ignoring the negatives.
If you two are strong and have a future, then even if you’re nowhere near there, it still must’ve crossed your mind that one day she will want her first and hopefully only marriage, probably a baby too.
Anything about that scare you? Because you’ve already experienced both, except the wife who is long-lasting. Would you do it again for my daughter?”
I take a few beats because everything he says is a stark reality that maybe I haven’t thought about this all enough. Still, it’s not a scary warning that I should run away either. Lexi is younger, and of course one day will want things that are already part of my life story.
“Yes, sir. I’ve thought about all of that, yet here I am.”
He lifts his chin, debating if I’m worthy. One thing that is different to our dynamic than any other normal relationship is that Lexi’s dad was my coach and through that we learned how we both react to situations. He knows if I’m being honest or not.
“Lexi raves about your wonderful children. Good kids normally means that someone in their life is a strong influence. They’ve had you, which indicates that you’re responsible. That counts for a lot in my book. You know I value strong family dynamics.”
My hands splay out. “Then look no further. You also know that I can support Lexi too.”
Coach chortles. “Now you’re sounding like this is a marriage talk. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
My body relaxes, as he just made a joke, that’s a good sign at least. “What will it be? Skepticism or an attempt to accept us? You know I’m not one to settle for anything less than a win.”
He glances over to the other corner where Lexi suddenly appears to keep herself busy with something else, having clearly been observing this scene.
His lips stretch slightly. “This is taking a little bit to wrap my head around. You broke my token rule to stay the hell away from my daughter. Which means you are even more persistent in getting what you want. I’m assuming you’re not doing this for kicks, and my daughter’s blatant joy right now is because of you. ”
“Hopefully so.”
He sighs. “Fine.” He deflates. “She’s an adult and can make her own choices, even if it means that upcoming family dinners might need to defrost my opinion a little.”
My lips press tightly together, debating what else I should say to plead my case. “Thawing of opinions it is,” I concede.
We stare at one another for a long few seconds, standing our ground and wanting the same thing—for Lexi to be happy. I offer my hand; he hesitates, but we shake. An agreement between two men.
That’s another checklist item done.
When he walks away, I sigh in relief as Lexi nearly skips to me, overly joyous, and she claps her hands together.
“See? Not so bad. I made him promise that he would go easy.”
I rub my face in doubt. “I guess it could have been worse. Remind me to sit on the other side of the table at Thanksgiving.”
“A perfect idea.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders, and we begin to walk through the room to find my little heathens that I love beyond the world.
“We should head outside. There are some games for the kids. Then I can also sign some stuff for the children from the foundation.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
After a few more chitchat conversations with a few people, we move outside.
Harry and Lori run ahead of us to the candy-apple making next to the face-painting tent.
Lexi and I keep our fingers gently linked as we walk.
I spot the area where my former teammates are signing things for the children who anxiously wait with glee, and I’m happy this event makes their day.
“I want to give some time to this, so if everyone can be a little patient a little longer,” I tell Lexi.
She nods then tips her head in the direction of a face-painting stand. “Of course. I totally need to get a unicorn painted on my cheek anyhow.”
We both lean in for a kiss. God, it feels good not to have to sneak around. We’re in the open with no worries in sight.
That’s how it should be.