Page 65 of Slapshot
Let’s be real, I haven’t made it easy on my dad. I’ve made a lot of bad choices. When things get hard, when I feel out of control, I lash out in destructive ways. So even though I’m still carrying a lot of resentment and anger, I’m trying to enjoy the time with him.
And I don’t think I realized how much I missed chatting hockey with him. Am I worried it’s the only reason he’s proud of me now? Sure. But I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. If that’s our common ground, our bridge as Lex called it, then I suppose it’s as good a bridge as any.
I grab Lex’s hand as we’re led to a long table in the back room of the restaurant.
“Hey,” I say. “Dad, you remember Lex?”
I drop my boyfriend’s hand so he can shake with my dad.
“Of course, good to see you again.” My dad’s smile is big and genuine as his gaze darts between us.
“You too, sir,” Lex says.
Before we can take our seats, my dad says, “Excuse me. I’ll be right back. I’m going to get a drink from the bar.”
Once we’re seated, Lex places a big palm on my thigh. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think I’m your buffer.”
“Or maybe I just wanted to have dinner with my handsome boyfriend.”
He huffs a laugh.
“Okay, yes, a little bit of a buffer. Things are better, but I still feel like I’m walking on eggshells with him.”
Like I’m going to blink, and his disappointment will return.
“Well, I think I can suffer through. I’ll just avoid any mention of hockey, Boston, New York, your childhood…” Lex glances up like he’s trying to think of more taboo topics.
I swat at him playfully.
He leans in and kisses me softly. “I’ll be your buffer, baby doll. Any time.”
“Ugh, you two. It isn’t fair that Vonne gets to bring his girlfriend to games.” Patrick tosses a straw wrapper at us. The twins and Tate are on the other side of Lex, and the rest of the team and coaches fill out three big tables pushed together.
“Better watch yourself,” Lex says, hand still on my leg. “Mygirlfriendis in charge of the smelly goodness.”
I roll my eyes. I swear, of all the things I do for this team, it’s still the laundry that they’re most concerned with me sabotaging.
Patrick’s face goes slack with shock. “You can’t change up a guy’s routine like that mid-season, Dalager. That could have major repercussions.”
“The laundry detergent has major repercussion?” I bite back a smile.
“Well, it isn’t hurting it,” he grumbles.
Lex chuckles next to me. “We’re serious about our routine.”
“Yes, I see that. I promise not to sabotage game day laundry,” I announce to a relieved group of ridiculous jocks.
Dad returns and the servers start to hustle back and forth from the kitchen, bringing out drinks and taking food orders. The mood stays light throughout the meal, and I start to relax more with every passing minute. Lex is a good buffer. He doesn’t suck up to my dad, but he chats and helps keep the conversation away from all the banned topics.
Coach Keller stands at the end of his table and someone calls out, “Speech!”
The head coach shakes his head, but there’s a smile on his face as he begins to speak. “Enjoy your meal and then get some rest. Curfew is ten, same as always. We’ve got a tough couple of games this weekend and you all need to keep your heads on straight.”
Someone down the table makes an inappropriate joke and Lex snorts and then as if realizing my dad is across the table from him, straightens. I love how likable he wants to be.
“Do you think he’ll notice if I make a roommate switch?” Lex whispers where only I can hear.
“Maybe.”
