Page 95 of Goal Line
“It’s only been a little over a week,” he says, but he can’t wipe the smile off his face.
“Yeah, but didn’t you start talking to her before then?” If I remember correctly, he met her on a dating app before moving here. I was pretty distracted with what was going on in my own life, though, so maybe I don’t have the details or timeline quite right.
“We’ve been talking for a few weeks, yeah. Still, this feels quick.” He shakes his head like he can’t quite wrap his mind around developing feelings for someone in a matter of weeks. Given how cool and detached he can be, thisisquick for him.
“I think you can meet someone, and sometimes there’s just this instant connection.” I don’t know this from personal experience, because my feelings for Luke have grown and developed over such a long time frame, but I’ve seen it happen with some of my friends.
“Maybe,” he says. “We’re trying not to get ahead of ourselves, because we both feel like this is really fast to feel this close to another person. She’s just out of a bad relationship and wasn’t looking to hop into another one, and I’m...”
I elbow him in his side. “Never in a relationship?”
He barks out a sharp laugh. “Pretty much.”
“Maybe that’s how you know this is good? If neither of you was looking for a relationship, but you want one with each other...that feels like something worth holding on to, you know?”
“We’ll see how things go. She wants to meet you,” he says casually as he sets his skate in his bag.
I laugh uncomfortably without intending to. “Why?”
“Probably for the same reason that Luke’s always hovering around the rink after our practices.”
“She’s jealous?”
“I think it’s more like she wants to assess whether or not you’re a threat.”
I bark out a loud laugh that has heads turning. “Did you not tell her how much I’mnota threat?” I mean, this man turned me down many months ago and now I’m married. She should have no reason to be concerned.
“I only told her that nothing’s ever happened between us and that you’re recently married. I didn’t want to share anything that violated your privacy or would lead her to question your marriage to Luke.”
“That’s . . . I appreciate that. Thank you.”
“Maybe if things with Jenn and me continue down this path, she can meet you and Luke. If she sees you two together, I’m confident that she’ll realize you have eyes only for him.”
“Just like you always knew how I felt?” I’m not asking if this is why he turned me down, so much as confirming that he’s always known what I was so blind to.
“Exactly.”
“That’s a really nice car you’re driving.” Dad nods his chin toward the window next to our table.Somehow, I managed to snag what Dad always refers to as “rockstar parking” right in front of the restaurant.
“Thanks. Luke wanted to make sure I had something that was safe and would be easy with a baby.”
“Easy with a baby?” he asks.
“You know, like the infant seat will be a straight shot in and out without me having to bend down too far, and I can easily get a stroller in and out of the back.”
He nods. “I feel like a lot has changed since you were born. Things were...simpler back then.”
I just nod in response, still waiting for Dad to drop whatever bomb he invited me here to unload. There’s no way he just wants to make idle chitchat about my new car.
“It’s no surprise Luke is taking care of you.” Ah, there it is. I’m gearing up to defend our marriage and our baby, when he says, “I’m glad you two are together.”
Wait, what?
I freeze with my spring roll hovering over a small bowl of peanut sauce. “You are?”
“Yeah, considering the bond you two have always had, I kind of hoped you’d end up together.” Dad watches my face closely, then asks, “Did you think I didn’t approve?”
I sigh, setting my chopsticks on my plate and sitting back. “I don’t know, Dad. You sent that text after the shitshow of a dinner, which Luke and I both appreciated, but I still left home that night feeling like...I don’t even know. Like I just continue to be a big disappointment, I guess.”
