Page 39 of Mistletoe Meet Cute
It doesn’t.
Because the way he smiles at his daughter—with so much, so much tenderness... it only makes me want him more. And that right there... that might be the most dangerous thing of all.
CAMDEN
“Listen up.” Coach’s voice cuts through the post-practice noise, low and commanding enough to make even the rookies shut the hell up. He stands in the center of the locker room, arms crossed over his chest and a scowl pulling at the corners of his mouth. “I know how bad everyone needs this bye week.”
Agreements are heard throughout the room. Everyone’s ready for a few extra days off.
“We’re tired. We’re banged up and half of you are running on adrenaline and whatever the trainers are taping you together with.” He turns and smiles at his younger brother, who’s had a hell of a season. “I’m looking at you, Callen.”
“I get it. I’ve been there. But before we all disappear for a few days of bad decisions, I need one more thing.” All joking drops from his voice. “The Kings Foundation tree lighting ceremony is tonight and I expect every one of you there. No excuses.”
A low wave of groans ripples through the locker room and a muscle in Coach’s jaw ticks.
“You show up. Smile for the cameras. Shake a few hands and make a few kids happy. Remember—this foundation fundsthe youth programs that keep kids off the streets. Your support matters, men.”
Silence follows until slowly, a chorus of resignedYeah, CoachandYou got it’sare echoed.
I don’t say a damn word.
My shoulder’s screaming and my body’s wrecked. All I wanted was to spend the night with Sophie, and maybe steal a quiet moment with Holly before she goes back to hiding from me. Not stand around pretending to be the poster boy for holiday fucking cheer.
Coach looks right at me and a smug grin spreads across his face. “Bring the baby, Monroe.”
Maverick tosses his keys in the air, smiling like a cocky asshole. “Emmie and Rosie are coming. You should bring Holly and Sophie. Make a family night of it, brother.”
Before I can tell him to fuck off, Luke pipes up from his locker, snickering. “Holly would love that. You know her birthday’s Christmas Eve, right? She was basically born obsessed with all things Christmas.”
I stop mid-motion, my hand tightening around the strap of my gym bag. Her birthday is Christmas Eve? She hadn’t mentioned that. Of course she hadn’t. She’s been too busy making it special for Sophie to worry about herself.
“Yeah,” I manage, keeping my tone casual. Does it make me a dick if I don’t’ know her birthday?
Pretty sure it does.
“Yeah. Her and our Mom. They were two who loved it growing up. Basically since Mom died, Holly has taken on making sure it’s perfect for everyone. Trust me. It’s her thing. Bring her tonight. She’ll be happy to show Sophie the lights while you do your thing.”
I grab my coat, slinging it over one shoulder, and ignore the way the guys are still grinning like they know something I don’t.
But as I head for the parking lot, one thought sticks, heavy and persistent.
When was she going to tell me?
The sun is already dipping behind the creek, leaving the house glowing under Holly’s Christmas lights, white and sparkling, wrapped around the porch like she’s trying to personally outshine the North Star, as I pull into the driveway.
The sight shouldn’t make my chest tighten the way it does.
But it does.
Every damn time.
Madden meets me at the door with a lazy bark and another new Christmas scarf. This one is covered in mistletoe. And I drop down to one knee to scratch behind his ears. “Hey, buddy. You keep my girls safe?”
He wiggles his ass like I just gave him a treat.
And I stand and lift my nose as a delicious scent assaults me. Vanilla, cinnamon, and something faintly citrus. Home. Or at least what I’ve come to associate with home for the first time in forever. It’s been decades of silence, stress, and anxiety being what greeted me when I walk in. But now. . . Now it’s different.
I step into the kitchen, and there she is.
