Page 44 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
I still am. The word hits harder than it should.
Then, slowly, step closer until there’s barely any space between us. His brows lift slightly, but he doesn’t back away.
“First things first, Blake, you and I are not friends. Acquaintances? Sure. Friends? No. Secondly, history?” I lean in a little more, my eyes locked on his, my voice low but sharp. "You erased that the moment you chose someone else and walked away. So, no. We don’t have history. We’re just two people who used to be something. That’s it."
His expression tightens, and something flickers in his eyes - pain? Regret? I don’t let myself linger on it long enough to be sure.
For a second, neither of us speaks. We just stand there, locked in this silent, stubborn battle. The tension is almost unbearable, like if one of us moves, the fragile balance will shatter.
Then I exhale sharply and step back. "Look, I have things to do for my dad, so if this is all, you should go."
Then, his throat bobs like he’s about to say something, but before he can, a voice interrupts.
“Sweetie?” My dad’s voice breaks through the tension. “Who are you talking to? You’ve been out there for a while.”
I jerk back just as the door swings open. My dad’s gaze lands on Blake, and his face instantly lights up.
“Oh, Blakey boy! How are you doing?”
Blake straightens, nodding respectfully. “I’m good, sir.”
Dad leans against the doorframe, glancing between us, his brows lifting slightly - like he can feel the awkward tension.
“What brings you here this evening?”
Blake glances at me before saying, “I had something to discuss with Whitney.”
“And wehavediscussed,” I say quickly, “and he wasjustleaving.”
“As a matter of fact,” Blake says smoothly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “We haven’t and I wasn’t.”
I glare at him.
Dad hums in amusement. Then, to my absolute horror, Blake asks, “Mr. Desmond, would it be okay if I took Whitney to the park so we could continue talking? I know she has something to do for you.”
I shoot him a sharp look, then turn to my dad, expecting immediate backup. Instead, Dad eyes me thoughtfully.
“Does she now?”
I pleaded with him with my eyes to say no, but he ignores me completely and grins at Blake. "I can ask Rosa to do the ‘something’ she was supposed to do for me, so, yes, you can."
I gasp. “How can you just let me go off with a total stranger?”
Dad scoffs. "He’s not a stranger. He’s Blake."
My eyes widen. "You…"
Dad gives me a knowing look, then heads back inside without another word.
I stand there, staring at the door, still processing when someone clears their throat.
I whip around to see Blake watching me with that amused glint in his eyes.
He tilts his head, a mischievous look in his eyes. "Now that I have permission," he says, grinning, "can we go somewhere and talk?"
I sigh. "Fine. Five minutes."
A few minutes later, we’re sitting on a bench in the park down the street. The evening air is cool, the sky turning soft shades of pink and purple. Streetlights flicker on, casting a warm glow over the quiet space, leaving only the occasional bark of a dog, the rustling of leaves, and the distant laughter of kids still playing.
