Page 42 of Icebreaker
“Because I invited him, asshole,” Daddy bit back. “You can leave if you have a fucking problem with it.”
People stared as the argument escalated and their voices rose. This was not what they needed at that moment. They were heading into the final stretch of the season. At this point, they should be getting along with each other to have a chance of salvaging the last few games. They’d been on a losing streak the past five weeks, and I knew the coach had to be worried they wouldn’t win any of the remaining games. If they didn’t, the argument would be my fault. I didn’t know what I had done to Wojak, but I’d clearly done something to upset him. I did my best to make myself small in my chair, hoping they might just forget I was there.
“Guys, I’m gonna need you to settle down. I don’t need a food fight or something starting at the table. Because if you do some crazy shit, Coach is gonna come down on my ass, and I don’t have time for it,” Rafe said from the far end of the table.
“I just don’t know why someone who’s not on the team is here when we are supposed to be having a team lunch,” Wojak said to no one in particular.
“Because I am the one who called the lunch, but I’m gonna go ahead and rescind it so that you’re okay with Ellie being here, Wojak. And since it’s not a team lunch anymore, you can go ahead and leave my fucking table,” Rafe said firmly from his chair at the end of the table. Wojak might be a dick about the team get-togethers, but he couldn’t argue with the captain.
“So now I’m getting kicked out?”
“You’re sure as shit not staying here,” Daddy B answered. He didn’t raise his voice, but his fists were clenched next to me. I was a little worried he was gonna take a swing at Wojak.
“You know I need to go and get some studying finished, so I’m going to cut it short…” Rafe, Matty, and Daddy B all turned to me and, in unison, shoutedno.
“Cooper, if you stay, I won’t even take the easy shots at Tater,” Matty promised with a smile.
“And I won’t even tell Matty he’s full of shit,” Daddy B offered.
“I just don’t want to cause a problem,” I whispered to Daddy B.
“Wojak, leave the fucking table. We’ll see you at practice,” Rafe ordered. Matty and Daddy smiled smugly as Wojak stormed away with his tray.
I already thought Daddy was hot before he stood up for me. But now, he was off the charts. I didn’t know what I’d do when we got in bed, but I was ready to make a move.
“Honey, I’m home,” Daddy B shouted as he walked in the door. He dumped all his gear next to it without even bothering to put it away properly. He rushed across the room, swept me into his arms, and planted a firm kiss on my mouth.
“Eek.” The startled sound was the best that I could offer under the circumstances. “Practice went good, I guess?”
“Practice was fucking fantastic because Wojak got run fucking ragged all over the boards.”
“Oh no!”
“Fuck that. He deserves it. If he’s gonna be an asshole, he’s gonna pay.” Daddy B paused dramatically before he continued, “And your boy Matty hit him harder than anyone.”
“I don’t really understand why Matty was sticking up for me today. I mean, I know he likes to give you a hard time, but his flirting doesn’t mean anything. He’s being silly.”
Daddy thought about it for a second before he answered, “I have no idea, but I appreciate that he stood up for you.”
“Does that mean you’re gonna stop fighting with him?” I asked.
“Not a fucking chance,” Daddy answered with a grin.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I thought I’d see you at practice today,” Daddy said, leaning down. Instead of kissing my mouth, he found that sensitive spot behind my earlobe and nuzzled and kissed it.
“Mr. Haddad said he was going to have us in there doing a lot of work while you guys were gone, so he said we could take off today and he would cover the equipment.”
“Yay for having the day off. Did you get your chores done?” He paused and looked around the room, and then added, “You must have because it looks nice in here.”
“I did, Daddy, and it does look nice, doesn’t it?” I looked around in satisfaction at the living room. My stuffies were properly organized in the chair, while my crayons and coloring books were neatly stacked on the coffee table.
“You did such a good job. I think we need to make sure you get some extra little time tonight.”
“Can we watch a movie?”
“Of course we can, baby boy. But I wondered if you would let me try something tonight at dinner?”
