Page 35 of Cheap Shot
“You can’t have plans that are more important than spending time with your family,” he responds, leaving no room for argument.
I knew he gave in about the job too easily. I could suggest we get together next weekend, but judging by the look on his face, that won’t work. “No. You’re right. What time is dinner?”
Dad pushes to his feet and plants a kiss on my forehead before throwing his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into his side. “That’s my girl. We’re going to do an early dinner, so you can come over around three. I’ll ask your mother to make something special so we can celebrate your new position.”
I open my mouth to argue with him that his current wife, Jessica, is in fact not my mother, but I decide against it. He has been trying to erase my mother’s memory for years, especially after what she did, but that doesn’t mean his wives can replace her. This isn’t the first time he has referred to her as my mother, and it won’t be the last. But today, it bothers me more than usual. However, instead of starting another argument, I let it go.
“Thanks, Daddy.” I sigh, giving his waist a small squeeze before stepping out of his embrace.
There’s a soft knock on the door before someone steps inside. “Hey, Coach—oh, shit. I mean damn. I mean, I’m sorry. I can come back later.”
Dad and I laugh loudly at the large hockey player’s embarrassment. “What do you need, Hendrix?”
My ears perk up, eyes scanning the man’s face, but I don’t find who I’m looking for. My dad’s guest isn’t Cole, unfortunately, which means it must be Cooper and Beau. He looks a lot like Cole, with only a few slight differences, telling me there’s no mistaking that these two are brothers. However, he doesn’t look much like Kyle either, although I can see the family resemblance.
“I just wanted to chat with you about something,” he responds, his eyes flicking to mine before going right back to Dad. “But I can see you’re busy.”
“No need to leave on my account. I was just heading out.”
“No, it’s not important. I’ll leave you and…”
“If you wanted an introduction, you could’ve asked,” Dad grumbles, causing both of us to laugh loudly. “Pumpkin, this is Cooper Hendrix, the captain and star player of the team.”
“Hi, pumpkin. It’s nice to meet you.” Cooper smiles, holding his hand out for me to shake.
“No, my name is Michele. Only one L. Daddy here just chooses not to use the name he and my mother chose for me,” I quip, grasping his hand and shaking it.
“You’ll always be my pumpkin, Michele.”
Dad smiles proudly, putting himself between Cooper and me, causing me to drop my hand to my side.
Cooper takes it all in stride, smiling brightly at Dad's antics. “It doesn’t get any easier as you get older. My mother still calls me and my three brothers her baby boys.”
“Bless her heart! It couldn’t have been easy for her to raise four boys.”
“We put her through hell, that’s for sure.” Cooper chuckles, turning his attention back to Dad. “I can see you’re busy, Coach. I’ll come back later. It's nothing important.”
“Is this about your brother?” he questions, his eyes narrowing slightly.
I have a feeling that Cole is the player Dad wasn’t too fond of being added to the incoming roster for the coming season. I don’t know anything about Cole as a player, but he must have done something pretty bad to get on my dad’s bad side before the start of practices.
“Yes, Coach.” Cooper pauses for a moment, his eyes flicking toward me before continuing. “I’ve heard the guys talking. Yes, I called in a favor with the owner to get my brother out of a pinch, but I don’t expect him to be given a free ride. Ride him as hard as the rest of us.”
“Not that I need your permission to run my team how I see fit, but I’m glad to know you feel that way. Whether he’s your brother or not, he’ll be put through the paces. If I find him lacking, not even you can save him. Are we clear, Hendrix?”
“Crystal. Thanks for your time.” Cooper nods his head before flashing me a megawatt smile. “It was nice meeting you, Michele, with one L, not two.”
“Nice meeting you, too, Cooper.” I smile before turning toward my dad and kissing him softly on the cheek. “And on that note, I’m going to head home, too.”
“If you’re going my way, let me escort you to your car.” Cooper crocks his elbow, holding it in my direction.
I giggle softly, threading my arm through his. “Thank you, kind sir.”
“Do I need to make a phone call, Hendrix? I don’t think your fiancée would take too kindly to you flirting with my daughter.” Dad makes a show of grabbing the receiver, causing Cooper to laugh loudly. He removes my arm from the crook of his elbow and takes a step away from me for good measure.
“I guess there’s someone your players are more afraid of than you, Daddy.” I snicker as Daddy rolls his eyes at my antics.
“You have no idea, Michele. Coach can be terrifying for sure, but there is nothing scarier than my Beauty when she’s in one of her moods.”
