Chapter Sixteen

I watch my father make his way to us from the locker room. I’m a little nervous because I haven’t had the chance to tell him about Cooper.

Well, I have, but who wants to tell their dad they are having sex. Ummmm, no one.

Cooper must feel me start to tense up and pull away. My father and James had a great relationship, but that was before he fucked over his baby girl. Now he can barely stand him in the room. So it’s no surprise that he grunts when he sees him and Tiffany next to us. “Hey, princess, how’s my girl doing?”

“Grampy. I had pancakes today. Cooper came over and pwayed hide and seek. I found him because I’m a super spy.” Allison is totally oblivious to the stink eye my father is giving Cooper.

“Hey, I’m Steven, Parker’s dad. Nice to finally meet you.” He reaches out to shake Cooper’s hand. “I’ve heard good things about you, and your training is going full force.” He’s treading in the water before bringing out the big guns. I can feel it, and then he goes in for the kill. “I can see Parker has shown an interest in you. Hope you don’t fuck it up like some schmuck I know.”

Tiffany gasps, putting her hand to her mouth while James glares at him. I cross my hands over my chest, but Cooper just tilts his head back and gives a great big belly laugh.

“Yes, sir, best person I’ve ever met. Trust me, there will be no mistake with Parker.” When I think that is the end, of course Cooper adds in, “Once you have gold in your hand you don’t go down to brass like some people we know.” He looks straight at James, while Tiffany turns on her stilettos and storms out. Now you think to yourself, you are going to a hockey game, so what the fuck are you doing wearing fucking stilettos?

“Listen, you can hate me, but please respect Tiffany and her feelings,” James says.

I turn to him, ready to attack his fucking jugular when Allison’s voice breaks through the tension when she leans into my father.

“Gramps, is it because her panties are all twisted up?”

Oh my God. I glare at my father.

“Allison Marie, don’t you say that ever. Tiffany is Daddy’s friend, and we will treat her with respect, or you will be getting a time-out”—I look at my father—“with grandpa.”

We are all waiting to see what comes next, but that thought is interrupted by huge cheers, which means the team has made their way out. I look over at Matthew, hoping to catch his eye. He is being tossed and turned every which way, and I couldn’t be prouder.

When he finally makes his way to us, I run over, hugging my little boy. Little is a stretch since he is five foot eleven now. “I’m so proud of you.” I tiptoe up to place a kiss on his cheek. “You played your heart out, and it paid off.”

He squeezes me. “Thanks, Mom, it was a hell of a game. It was shaky at the beginning, but then it got better in the second.”

“So I won’t bring this up now, but your mouth on that ice is unacceptable, young man.”

He looks down with a sheepish look. “Mom, it’s part of the game. Tell her, Cooper.”

I let him leave so he can go get his congratulations from everyone waiting in the corner.

He makes his way to James first where they share an awkward hug. No one but Cooper and I notice, but we don’t say anything. He then approaches Cooper where they do the side hug men thing. “Good play out there. Good stick handling. Good head. You took some of my pointers, I see. You did good.” And with that, he beams up. It’s like the approval he needed. “I have to say no one but a true hockey player will know how good it is to get that sense of you did good.” With his head nodding up and down while he listens to Matthew talk about the different plays he wanted to make, we see Artie making his way to us, and my heart starts beating faster. My mouth gets dry, making my hands shake. This could be that moment in his life he never forgets.

“Hi there, Matthew, I want to introduce myself.” He takes off his cap and replaces it again. “I’m Artie. I’m a scout for the University of Minnesota. I really like what I saw out there today. You have skill, you have a great shot and that hockey sense. You can’t learn that.” He chuckles. “I’ve been known to know my stuff, just ask this clown here,” he says, pointing to Cooper and chuckling again. “I know it’s a lot to take in today, but in a couple of weeks I’d like you to come down for a practice with the team. That is, of course, if you want and if your parents are okay with it.” He looks at Matthew, Matthew looks at me, and I just nod at him, giving him the okay.

“I would really like that. I look forward to hearing from you,” Matthew mumbles, not sure what else to say.

“All right, folks, I gotta head out. Cooper, keep in touch. Parker, lovely to meet you.” He bids us goodbye, and before we can talk about what just happened Tom is running toward us.

“Okay, folks, team party at my house in an hour. Pool is ready. I’ll stop off to buy some beer and stuff. Meghan has already gone to get the food. See everyone in an hour.”

James just looks at him, waiting for his invite. I know Tom doesn’t want him there. I know Meghan would rather have her toenails removed, but for Matthew and Allison the invitation is there.

“Of course, James, you are more than welcome as well.”

I turn to James, wondering how he is going to play this one.

“Thank you for the invite. I have to check with Tiffany, but if we don’t have anything, we will pass by.”

And you’re still a douche.

Matthew shakes his head. I’m not sure if it’s because he disagrees or if he’s trying to shake the tears away. “I’m going to hang with the guys. I’ll catch a ride with someone. See you guys there.”

I want to say something. I want to shake him, but I’m not going to tell him the right thing to do. He’s a grown ass man. “Okay, let’s go, we will pick up ice cream and dessert,” I say to Tom. “We also have to stop by the house to pick up our suits.”

“I’m going to wear my bikini polka dots. Momma, will you match me? Oh, look, it’s Michael. I’m going to see if he wants to swim with me.” Before I can grab her hand she is yelling to Michael, making Sam turn toward us. Just him looking makes Cooper grab my neck, making my shoulder fall under his arm, pulling me close to him.

“Okay, Parker, I’ll text you if we are able to stop by. See you soon.” And just like that he’s gone.

“Wow, that was fun, eh?”

“What a fucking schmuck,” my father cuts in. “His dick is attached to her purse. If you look inside you can find his balls.”

“Dad, enough, I can’t deal.” I lean in, giving him a kiss, turning and grabbing Cooper’s hand. “Let’s go, big boy, I need to get my polka dot bikini.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “How small is this bikini?”

“Oh, not that small. I mean, you do have to tie the bow ties at the side of the bottoms, but other than that it’s just blue and yellow.”

I rub my nose into his arm, silently laughing when I sense him getting tense.

“Fucking kill me now,” he curses under his breath. “I’m going to the car to deflate. Get Allison. I’ll meet you in front.” He leans in, and I’m expecting a nice peck on the lips. What I’m not expecting is a full on tongue fest in the middle of the hockey arena, with children and their parents present. Cooper was never one to follow anyone’s plan. “Have to make sure that chump knows I’m still around.” He chin ups his way to Sam.

“Well, after that, I think everyone here knows I’m yours. Now if you will excuse me, I have to go rinse my leg.”

Turning back, he laughs all the way to the car.