“This isn’t just about you. It’s about the team. The last thing we need is more drama and distractions.”
“There is no drama. Hayden and I are being discreet. And I fucking like her. You want me to give up something real because of some damn investigation? I’m not doing that, Sam.”
His teammate looked startled. “Something real?” he echoed warily.
“Yeah, man. Something real. She makes me happy. I get excited to see her, and I miss her when she’s not around. So, no, I’m not giving that up.”
Becker’s eyes flashed with frustration, then dissolved into resignation. “Fuck. Fine.” He shook his head and brought his glass to his lips, taking another swig of whiskey. “Just don’t come crying to me when it all blows up in your face.”
TWENTY-TWO
“You made it!” Hayden said in surprise when her father approached the corner table where she’d been waiting for the past fifteen minutes.
It was Thursday morning, nearly a week since she’d seen him at the charity gala, and while they’d arranged to meet for breakfast in the city, she hadn’t actually expected him to show. She’d assumed his assistant would call to cancel at the last minute, and the fact that he was fifteen minutes late had only strengthened that conviction.
And yet, here he was, clad in a tailored dark gray suit, his hair perfectly styled and his green eyes sparkling at the sight of her.
“Don’t sound so surprised,” he teased as she rose from her chair to hug him hello.
Presley kissed the top of her head, then helped her back into her chair. The restaurant his assistant had chosen for them was obviously in high demand, because even at eight thirty in the morning, it was completely packed. Apparently, it opened at seven thirty every weekday morning to cater to the high-powered professionals before they started their super-busy, super-important days. People like her father.
“I am surprised,” she admitted. “I sort of thought you’d cancel again.”
Regret flickered through his eyes. He opened his mouth to respond, but their server hurried over, interrupting them. He ordered an espresso, then waited until she was gone before addressing Hayden.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I really am. When I asked you to come home, I truly thought I’d have more time to spend with you. But the playoffs have been so much more intense this year. And now we’re in the second round, and the pressure is on.”
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She knew her dad had an important job, but it wasn’t like he was out there on the ice every couple nights, putting his body through hell to secure a win. He acted like he was the reason for the Warriors’ successes, which could be partially true, but each time he boasted about it, he neglected to acknowledge the players. For some reason, she found herself getting defensive on Brody’s behalf.
God. How was she this invested in a fling? It wasn’t supposed to be serious, damn it. It was supposed to be about sex. About playing out some fantasies. Getting each other off. Yet, she was constantly thinking about the guy. Wondering how he was. Worrying about him when he was on the ice. One of the Colorado players had left last night’s game and entered concussion protocol, which only highlighted how dangerous the sport could be.
“Sweetheart?”
She snapped out of her thoughts. “Sorry, what did you say?”
“I said, once the season ends, my time will be yours. You don’t need to return to Berkeley until August—what do you say we plan a holiday in Italy for July?”
Surprise flickered through her. “Really?”
“Yes. We haven’t taken a trip together since you were, what, eighteen?”
“Sixteen.”
“So we’re long overdue.” He tipped his head. “How do you feel about Rome? Maybe a week there, and then head to the Amalfi Coast for another week or two? My assistant could plan everything. You wouldn’t have to lift a finger.”
A rush of emotion flooded her chest. As unhappy as she’d been since she’d returned to Chicago, she couldn’t deny that the offer touched something inside her. She was twenty-six years old, and suddenly she felt like a little kid.
“That sounds amazing,” she told him. “I’d love that.”
“Excellent. I’ll tell Elizabeth to start making travel plans.”
The server returned with his espresso and asked if they were ready to order, but Hayden had chugged two coffees already while waiting for her father and needed to hit the ladies’ room before she exploded.
“Order me anything with eggs and avocado,” she told her dad as she slid out of her seat.
She quickly used the restroom, returning to the table to find a fresh cup of coffee and a tall glass of water.
“I got you the avocado toast, over easy,” her dad said. “And I ordered us some water.”
“Thanks.”
While they waited for their breakfast, they chatted about the playoffs, and for once, she didn’t mind talking hockey. Spending time with Brody made it hard to keep hating on the game. Besides, the more she reflected about it, the more she realized hockey wasn’t really to blame for the distance between her and her father. It was just a sport. It was Presley’s obsession with it that she actually resented.
Although if she was to believe her stepmother, Presley Houston was obsessed with more than just hockey. The way Sheila had described him, he was a money-hungry philanderer who cared only about himself.
“Is there any update on the divorce?” she asked as she cut into the last piece of her toast.
Wrong question.
Her father instantly stiffened. “No. The lawyers are still hashing it out. But Diana says it shouldn’t drag on much longer.”
Hayden searched his face. “Are you okay?”
He waved off her concern with a forced chuckle. “I’m fine.”
She shrugged awkwardly. “You didn’t seem very fine the night at the Gallagher Club.”
Fuck, why had she brought that up? She’d seen him since that night and hadn’t raised the issue. Hadn’t wanted him to flip out on her again. But it was too late to take it back, and she didn’t miss the way her dad’s eyes clouded over.
