Page 17 of The Hockey Pact

"Starving," I replied with a smile that wasn't entirely forced. Despite my nervousness, there was something comforting about the Caldwell home—it reminded me of my own family's house in Minnesota, before my father's NHL career had upgraded our surroundings.

"Danny should be here any minute," Ellen continued, leading us toward the dining room. "He's driving up from campus just to meet you."

"Mom," Riley protested, "you didn't need to make this a whole family affair."

"Of course we did," Ellen countered smoothly. "It's not every day our daughter brings home a boyfriend, let alone a fiancé we've never met."

The slight emphasis on "never met" wasn't lost on me. Clearly, my introduction as not just a boyfriend but a fiancé had raised maternal eyebrows.

Before Riley could respond, the front door burst open and a young man bounded in, his resemblance to Riley unmistakable despite his height and broader build.

"Sorry I'm late!" he called, then stopped dead when he saw me. "Holy shit. You're Caleb Matthews."

"Language," Ellen and Jim said in unison, though neither seemed particularly bothered.

"Danny, this is Caleb," Riley said, giving her brother a warning look I couldn't quite interpret. "Caleb, my brother Danny."

"The breakaway king himself," Danny said, extending his hand with barely contained excitement. "Your goal against Montreal last season was insane."

"Thanks," I said, genuinely pleased by his enthusiasm. "Riley tells me you've got scouts coming to watch you play."

Danny's face lit up even more. "Yeah! Coach thinks I've got a real shot at getting drafted. Not first round or anything, but still."

"From what Riley's told me about your play, I wouldn't be surprised to see you go higher than you think," I said, earning a grateful look from Riley and an approving nod from Jim.

Lunch was a slightly tense affair, with Ellen asking pointed questions about our relationship timeline while serving enough food to fuel an entire hockey team. I drew on my media training to present myself as a man genuinely smitten with Riley, focusing on true details—my discovery of her restaurant, my appreciation for her knowledge of hockey, our shared experiences at the charity event.

"So," Ellen said as she served homemade apple pie, "three weeks of dating and you're engaged. That seems rather... sudden."

Riley tensed beside me. "When you know, you know, Mom."

Ellen's eyebrow rose skeptically. "And what about the restaurant? Will you continue running it after you're married?"

"Of course," Riley and I said simultaneously, which at least lent authenticity to our story. We'd clearly discussed this point.

"Caleb's been incredibly supportive ofHat Trick," Riley added, reaching for my hand in a gesture that was becoming surprisingly natural. "He understands how important it is to me."

"And the construction issues?" Ellen pressed. "Last time we spoke, you were worried about making rent."

I stepped in smoothly. "We're working through those challenges together. I believe in Riley's vision forHat Trick, and I'm committed to helping her see it through the rough patch."

Something in my tone must have convinced Ellen, because her expression softened slightly. "Well, that's good to hear. Riley's put her heart and soul into that place."

"And her entire savings account," Jim added dryly. "Not to mention most of her waking hours."

"It's a sound business," I said firmly. "The location is great aside from the temporary construction issues, and her food is exceptional.Hat Trickjust needs some runway to get past this obstacle."

Jim studied me over his coffee cup. "And you're prepared to provide that runway, I take it?"

"Dad," Riley protested, her cheeks flushing.

"It's a fair question," Jim countered. "You two barely know each other, and suddenly he's helping with the restaurant's financial troubles?"

"I have the means to help," I said simply. "And I care about Riley. Why wouldn't I support something that's important to her?"

Jim seemed to consider this, then nodded once. "Fair enough."

After dessert, while Riley helped her mother clear the table and Danny peppered me with questions about life in the NHL, Jim caught my eye and tilted his head toward the back door.

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