28. Lucy
Lucy
My stomach sinks as I watch Leo argue with an older man who looks like the spitting image of him in thirty years.
“What is going on?” I ask.
“That’s Leo’s dad,” Nick says.
I turn to Nick. “Why is he arguing with Leo? He looks so mad.”
“He’s probably laying into him about the way he played tonight,” Nick says.
I lean back, stunned. “But Leo played incredibly tonight. He got three assists.”
I take in how pissed Travis, Nick, and Blake look as they glance over at Leo and his dad, who are still talking in the parking lot.
“Leo’s dad’s a jerk,” Blake says. “No matter how well Leo plays, he always has something negative to say.”
I think back to when Leo took me to that sandwich shop, and he opened up to me about how hypercritical his dad was of him. I knew it was bad then, but to see it play out in person in front of me is wrenching.
I take in the hard expression on Leo’s face. He looks pissed… but also hurt. Pain radiates in his rich brown eyes. I can see it all the way from where I’m sitting.
“His dad makes him meet up after games so he can go over all the stuff he did wrong and how he can play better,” Blake says.
“That’s insane.”
“Yeah, it’s fucked up,” Nick mutters. “But Leo deals with it.”
“He shouldn’t have to,” I say.
Leo is an incredible hockey player. Tonight is the first time I’ve seen him play in person, but it’s clear how skilled and talented he is.
And he’s been drafted by a professional team.
He’s one of the best college hockey players in the country—good enough to play pro.
And that’s still not enough for his dad?
I look back over at Leo and his dad. He starts wagging his finger in Leo’s face again. That angry, pained look flickers in Leo’s eyes.
A protective feeling shoots through me. I can’t just sit here and watch his dad berate him.
I shoot up from the table and dart out of the diner. When I walk over to Leo, his dad stops talking. I glare at him. Then I touch Leo’s arm.
He looks down at me. The angry look in his eyes fades instantly. His brow lifts the slightest bit, like he’s surprised to see me.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
He swallows. “Yeah. Fine.”
I look over at his dad, my gaze hard. “We’re in the middle of eating. Are you done talking to Leo?” I ask, my tone pointed and impatient.
He frowns at me and clears his throat. “Yes.”
He walks over to an expensive-looking luxury car a dozen feet away. When he goes to open the door, he looks over at Leo. “Don’t forget about the gala. I expect to see you there.”
When he drives off, I grab Leo’s hand.
He closes his eyes and shakes his head. “Fuck, I’m sick of this.”
I hold his hand in both of mine. He looks at me. My chest aches at the pained look in his gaze.
“That looked like an intense conversation,” I say gently.
“That was my dad just telling me how much I sucked, like always.”
That protective feeling inside of me sharpens, shifting into anger. “He had no right. You played amazingly tonight. I watched the whole game. You were incredible.”
That hard look softens as he studies me. He looks down at our joined hands. For a second, I’m nervous. I wonder if he thinks this is too much. Maybe I should let go of him…
But he gives me a soft squeeze and tightens his hold.
“Thank you for coming out here. And for getting rid of him.” He stares at me for a long second.“The look on his face when you asked him if he was done.” A soft smile pulls at his mouth. Warmth courses through me. “That was priceless. You were such a badass.”
I start to smile. “I really wasn’t.”
“You were. No one talks to my dad like that. He’s used to people fawning over him. I don’t think he was expecting a tiny redhead to tell him off.”
I laugh.
His gaze on me turns warm. “Seriously, thank you, Luce.”
“Of course.”
I let go of his hand and start to head back toward the diner. “What was that gala he mentioned?”
“It’s some charity event hosted by a bunch of retired professional athletes. I’m supposed to go so my dad looks like a wholesome family man to make him look good in front of everyone.”
I stop walking. “But he treats you like crap.”
Leo shoves his hands into his pockets. “It’s for a good cause. The money goes to kids in need. Kids who wouldn’t be able to play sports like hockey if they didn’t get money from this charity. I can make nice with my dad for a few hours if it’s to help kids.”
My heart aches. Leo is incredible to do that. I’m not surprised. He’s always like this. Kind and generous, always thinking of how he can help others.
“What do you have to do at the gala?” I ask.
“Pose for photos. Schmooze with a bunch of rich people so that they’re in a giving mood and will donate more money.”
“Sounds like a blast.”
He chuckles at my unimpressed tone. “I’ll have my sister there for moral support.
And my mom. But I’m sure my mom will get pulled into a million conversations with her friends.
And my sister is bringing her boyfriend, who I’m sure she’ll be doting on,” he mutters.
“I think Nick and Poppy will be there too. Nick’s older brother is a retired professional hockey player. ”
“You don’t want to hang out with them?”
“They’ll be busy with Nick’s brother, Ryker. I don’t want to bug them and make them hang out with me.”
“So you pretty much are going to be stuck with your dad?”
“Yup,” he says through a tired breath.
Just then, an idea pops into my head. “What if I come with you?”
His face brightens, making me feel better about suggesting this. “You’d do that?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there to act as your buffer. I’ll be by your side so you have someone to talk to anytime you want to look too busy to deal with other people. And if you get pulled into a conversation with your dad or someone else you don’t want to talk to, I’ll come get you.”
“You’d seriously do that for me?”
“Of course I would. You’ve done so many kind things for me. The least I could do is be your plus-one to an event you don’t want to go to alone.”
He flashes a relieved smile. “That would be amazing. Thank you.”
He tells me it’s this weekend, which is perfect because I’m not working at the diner.
“One question,” I say. “What’s the dress code?”