Page 77 of Like A Daydream
He’d known that it was the day that Danielle had her custody hearing. He’dknownthat. He’d told his team the night before, and called to double check that she didn’t need him to get on a plane.
She had told him to stay, she didn’t want him to get in trouble for missing his game, even though he had told her he could take family leave for a day. Players had taken it for less important things.
“I got so caught up in being back, I forgot,” he says, stepping closer to her. She reaches out for him, and then thinks better of it and drops her hand back to her side.
“I thought that was what happened, but then you just… didn’t call,” she says, “and whoever sent those messages deleted all of them. I didn’t get any messages from you that day.”
“Damn,”he says, running a hand over his face and turning slightly away from her. He lets out a gasp of relieved laughter before looking back at her. “You mean all I had to do was call, and we could have solved this problem?”
“I never said you were a genius,” Danielle says, with a watery smile. “I don’t know who sent the texts. It could have been anyone, but I love you, Andy. If I ever wanted to break up with you, which I don’t, by the way, I would have at least done it face-to-face. I’m not a coward.”
“I panicked,” he says, “then I had to refocus on my game that day. I still played like garbage, just so you know.”
“I didn’t think it was that bad,” Danielle says, shrugging, “the team looked good, even if you were a mess. And spent more time in the box than on the ice.”
“You watched it?” he asks.
“Of course, I did,” she says, “my boyfriend is the Captain. I wasn’t just going to miss it. Plus, I had to see the game day fits. Maroon is definitely your color.”
This woman.
“But you also don’t get to pull that shit with me again, Fisher,” she says, voice stronger. “You don’t get to say you’re all in and then not talk to me when things may or may not go your way. That’s not how this works.”
She steps closer to him, poking his chest so hard he thinks it might bruise.
“I’m not the only one in this relationship,” she says, “you’ve got a six-year-old to think about, too. We trust you, we let you into our lives. So, keep earning it.”
“You’re right,” he says, rubbing at the spot where she poked him, “I’m sorry. Sometimes, I feel like I’m not a fully developed person when I’m around you.”
He holds his arms out, anyway, and she steps into his embrace, burying her face into his chest.
“Of course, you’re not fully developed; you’re a grizzly-bear demonrat,” she says, laughter in her voice muffled by his shirt, “at least that’s what the twin brothers say.”
“Still?” he groans. She pulls back, grinning up at him, and nods.
“That’s who you are, now,” she says, “no going back.”
“Well, you can’t win them all,” he says with a laugh, hugging around her waist and holding her as close as he can. He kisses the top of her head and buries his nose in her hair. “I love you, and I’m sorry, D.”
“Take me to your palace, Fisher,” she says, pulling back and looking up at him, “I’m here until Friday.”
“Just Friday?” he whines, tugging her back into his chest and starting to walk towards his truck. She backs up and matches his steps.
“Well, you’re going to Canada on Saturday, and I do have a daughter to take care of,” she says, laughing as she matches his steps. “I thought a couple of days would be alright until I can bring Harper with me.”
“Is she okay?” he asks, turning her in his arms so her back is to his chest, and she can walk forward. “Did she think anything was wrong?”
Danielle shakes her head, “I told her you were busy travelling and the time difference was hard.”
“Starting motherhood out with a lie,” Andrew says, teasing gently, “that’s one way to do it.”
“She already lost one dad,” Danielle says, voice quiet, “I didn’t want her to think she’d lost you, too.”
“You guys aren’t going to lose me,” he says, “not again. Once was enough for a lifetime.”
He reaches his truck and opens the door for her, helping her climb inside. She jumps up on the seat and turns toward him, hooks a finger into the pocket of his hoodie and pulls him to her.
He steps between her legs, bracing his arms on the door above him as he leans in, pressing his lipsagainst hers softly. Her hands find his hair, and he deepens the kiss slightly before pulling back.
