SCARLETT
As much as I’d like to, I can’t stay and hideout at Leo’s. I know I need to talk to my parents, especially my dad.
Mom’s already in bed, but Dad is in the kitchen when I get home. I pull a bowl from the cabinet and take a seat next to him. I smile at the Fruity Pebbles box.
“How’d you know I was on my way?”
“I didn’t,” he says and continues spooning the cereal into his mouth.
“So, uh, I’m dating Leo.” I sit beside him.
He chuckles softly. “Little late on the news for that one.”
“I’m sorry that you found out from someone else. We wanted to make sure we really liked each other before we said anything.”
“And?” His tired gaze meets mine.
“I really like him.”
“He called you his friend and made a spectacle in the media room.”
I’m quick to defend him. “He panicked. We were going to tell you together this weekend.”
I get a grumpy, throaty noise in response. Dad finishes his cereal and rests an elbow on the counter. “Are you sure about this?”
“I am. Leo isn’t like Rhyse. He wasn’t hiding me. We were just trying to decide how much we liked one another before we made a big deal of it.”
“That isn’t what I meant.”
“Then I don’t follow.”
“Leo is a nice guy, honey. If you were anyone but my daughter, I’d have no problem signing off approval. He has a good head on his shoulders for someone his age.”
“I know his life is busy. So is yours, and you and Mom make it work.”
“It isn’t just that. These guys are under constant scrutiny in the media. Part of me selfishly loved that Rhyse kept you out of all of that. It may not have been his intention, but he shielded you from a lot by keeping you out of the headlines.”
“I can handle it,” I assure him. The things people said to and about me with Rhyse were so much worse than anything I’ve seen about Leo or the women he dated.
“I’m not going to try to talk you out of it. I know you’re too stubborn for that anyway, but think about it and be careful.”
“It’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Okay.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “As long as you’re happy.”
“I am. You’re really okay with this then?”
“If you’re happy and he can keep the nonsense away from the ice, then yes.” He gets up, puts his bowl in the sink, and starts to leave the kitchen.
I swivel on the bar stool. “Leo said he has a meeting with you tomorrow morning.”
Dad grins.
“Be nice, Daddy.”
I go to the arena the next day after working the early afternoon shift at the bar. Leo has a quick break after practice, and he climbs into my car with a groan. He leans over and somehow manages to lean his big frame over the console and put his head in my lap.
“Rough day?” I thread my fingers through his unruly hair.
“Your dad hates me,” he mutters against my thigh.
“That bad, huh?” I knew by the look in Dad’s eyes last night that he wasn’t going to let Leo off that easily. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ll survive. Totally worth it.” He burrows in between my legs and nips at my inner thigh.
“I brought food. It’s in the back seat. How long until you have to be back?” The guys have an away game tomorrow, but they’re leaving tonight for Dallas.
He sits up with another groan. “An hour. Factor in an extra fifteen because I can’t feel my arms or legs.”
“What exactly did he do to you?”
“Pushups. Squats. More pushups.”
“Because you’re dating me?”
“Because I made a scene in his media room.”
“Oh.” I pull away from the arena and drive toward my house.
He’s quiet in my passenger seat until he realizes where we’re going. He sits up and shoots me a panicked look. “Are you trying to get me killed?”
“Relax. Dad never comes home during the day, and Mom is at school for another two hours.”
We walk into the house, and I lead Leo straight down to the basement.
“This is me.” I drop my purse on the dresser.
“This is nice.” He looks around with a smile.
“It’s a little cramped.” I point to my mom’s crafting supplies on one side. “But it’s temporary. I have enough saved up to move out, but I want to nail down a job before I commit to a lease.”
“Makes sense,” he says, walking around taking in every detail. He finally sits on the couch with his food.
He hands over his fries with a smirk, like he knows I really got them for myself.
“My mom took the news much better than Dad,” I say, sitting beside him and folding my legs underneath me. “She’s already setting a place for you at Thanksgiving.”
“Sounds nice.” His mouth quirks up into a smile.
“Do you see your family around the holidays?”
He nods. “I go home for a day or two at Christmas when I can.”
“They never come here?”
“Nah. My aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents are all in Boston, so it just makes more sense that I go to them.”
“Well, you’re welcome here.” I realize I might be putting a lot of pressure on something so new, especially considering my dad is his coach, and they’re on shaky ground. “You know, assuming I’m not sick of you by then.”
“Too late. Your mom’s set a place for me. I’m coming.”
It’s all so easy and natural. Even here in my parents’ basement.
“I can’t wait. Let’s just make sure to sit you all the way at the other end of the table from my dad.”
He grimaces. “I really thought he liked me.”
“He does.” I scoot closer, and he steals one of my fries. “He just likes me more.”
