Page 58 of The Slapshot and the Single Mom
“Huh?” He sits up straighter, rubbing his eyes and yawning so wide I’m worried his jaw might dislocate. “No’m not.”
“I’m glad you had fun,” I say to Liam as Maggie climbs out of the car and puts the seat forward so Liam can get out too.
“Thanks. I did. Thanks for inviting me,” he says, his sincerity undimmed by the sleepiness in his voice. “Cool car, bro,” he tosses out as he finishes stepping out.
Laughing, I unbuckle my seatbelt and climb out too, walking them at least to their stairs. I want to give Maggie a kiss goodnight, but I’m not sure if I’ll get the chance.
She obviously wants the same thing, though, because she whispers, “Wait here a sec,” at the bottom of the stairs before climbing up and unlocking the door, saying something to Liam before jogging back down the stairs to me.
Standing on her tiptoes, she wraps her arms around me, and I grin at her exuberance. “Thanks for inviting us,” she says quietly.
“I’m glad you were both able to come. And I’m glad you had a good time.”
“I did. I made a couple new friends, and I think Marissa and I are going to hang out soon.” Her brow pulls together, a distant look coming over her face. “I’m not sure how or when I’ll find the time, but …” She shrugs, her face clearing. “I’ll make it work.”
“I have every confidence that you will. You make just about everything work.”
She lets out a disbelieving chuckle. “It’s nice that you think so.”
I shrug. “From my perspective, it sure looks like it.”
“You’re sweet,” she whispers.
“Thank you,” I whisper back. “So are you.”
With that, she kisses me. It’s short and sweet, and she’s pulling away before I’m ready. Unable to help myself, I pull her back for one more kiss.
She laughs when I release her, waving at me as she starts back up the stairs. “I gotta go. Liam’s going to be wondering what I’m doing if I don’t get up there before he’s done getting ready for bed.”
“Okay,” I say, sounding like a pouty kid, which makes her laugh some more.
“Goodnight,” she calls down from the top of the stairs. “Talk to you soon.”
“Night,” I call back, and I stand there for a minute, waiting to see if she’s really inside. But when she doesn’t come back down, I let out a sigh, climb in my car, and head home.
Despite the fact that I don’t get to have her in my bed again this weekend, I’m unshakeably happy when I get home. Not even the text message from my dad demanding that I call him can dim my good mood. He texted while we were at Nick and Tina’s, and I ignored it, but I’ve been delaying the inevitable for too long as it is. Might as well call him and get it over with.
I look at the time, realizing as I put the phone to my ear that it’s midnight his time, but oh well. His calls and texts demanding that I call him back have only increased lately. And on a Friday night? There’s a solid chance he’s still awake anyway.
“Hello,” comes my dad’s groggy voice after the third ring.
“Hey, Dad,” I say, forcing every ounce of cheerfulness into my voice. If he’s going to be a pissy bastard, harassing me to call him so he can chew me out, I’m going to be as annoying as I possibly can. And with him, the best way to do that means being furiously happy no matter what.
He grunts. “You finally deigned to call back.”
“I’ve been busy.” It comes out more clipped than I want considering I’m being Happy. Not just happy, but Happy with a capital H. I want him toknowdeep in his bones that I’m Happy and there’s nothing he can do about it.
This time his grunt is accompanied by a sardonic chuckle. “I’ll say. I’ve seen you all over the gossip rags. Busy gettin’ busy, huh?”
I clench my jaw at his crude turn of phrase. Sure, it’s not that crass, but my dad making inferences about my sex life is gross, and I especially don’t want him acting like Maggie’s little more than a whore.
“I’ve been busy spending time with my girlfriend, yes. She’s great. And I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
“Girlfriend, huh?” He sounds even more disgruntled about that term.
“Yes.” I keep my voice firm behind the forced cheerfulness of my tone. I stupidly thought that my dad couldn’t ruin my good mood, but he’s barely said anything and I’m already clinging to my happiness by my fingernails. But dammit, I’m not letting go. I’m not letting him ruin this for me.
He sighs heavily, and I grind my teeth, waiting for the lecture I know is coming. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed.”
