Page 130 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
“I need to ask you something, and I need you to be truthful and honest with me.”
“Am I never?” I say to be answered with a glare.
Mumbling a quick sorry, I brace myself.
“Do you love her? Really love her?” His voice is quieter this time, but there’s an edge to it. “Or are you just looking for someone to play mother to your kids?”
I blink, a little stunned by that one. “Kind of offended, you'd ask me that, man.”
Keith lifts a brow. “Just answer the question.”
I exhale, shaking my head. “Yeah. I love her. So, so much. And not because I need her to be anything for my kids. I love her for who she is. For the way she sees people, for the way she keeps me grounded, for the way she drives me absolutely insane but somehow makes me want forever with her anyway.” I look him in the eye. “I lost her once. I’m not doing it again. So yeah, Keith. I love her. More than I can put into words.”
Keith studies me, then sighs. “Good.” He shifts forward, resting his arms on the table. “Because if you hurt her a second time…”
“You’ll kill me,” I finish for him, smirking slightly.
Keith rolls his eyes. “I’ll make you wish you were dead.”
I chuckle. “Duly noted.”
The tension eases. Not completely, but enough.
Keith shakes his head and mutters, “I can’t believe she picked you.”
I grin. “I can.”
Keith groans. “You’re insufferable.”
“Yeah, but you love me.”
He glares. “I tolerate you.”
After a few minutes, we left. Outside, the night air feels colder than before. We stand by my car, the conversation still hanging between us.
Then Keith clears his throat. "All right, come here before I change my mind."
I barely have time to react before he pulls me into a rough hug, clapping my back once before stepping away like it never happened.
I smirk. "You do know this means you like me, right?"
Keith groans. "No…, I am simply giving in because I still need my best man by my side at my wedding.”
I laugh, shaking my head as I unlock the car. "Nothing was going to stop me from being your best man, not even you."
“Take care of her,” he says.
“I will.”
And I mean it.
We drive back, the silence between us no longer heavy, but easy.
I drop him off, watching as he heads inside. Then I drive home - my heart is a little lighter than before.
The second I step inside, I’m met with noise and laughter.
“Daddy!”
