Page 4 of Matched with Her Athlete Boss
“It’s kind of blank, don’t you think?” he says, using his thumb to scroll up. “I mean, I know you’re working on it, but you might need some place holder pics. And your Quickstagram says you haven’t posted any pictures yet.”
With a laugh, I nod. “Yeah, I’ll take some before pics and then some afters of your house and post them. It can show the extreme side of organizing.”
“Well, bring all the cleaning supplies you have. I’m out.”
Of course he is. Even though my irritation that he keeps living among trash and junk is rising, there’s a slight thrill at seeing him put my business cards right next to his, the ones people take when they want to schedule a party or an event at the rink.
“Do you know how amazing you are, Dad?”
He blushes and shakes his head, avoiding eye contact. “I didn’t have much to give you growing up, not like your mom did.”
A pang of sadness hits me. He always beats himself up over my parents’ divorce. “I didn’t need everything. I just needed you cheering me on. Every time I looked up into the stands, you were there. Supporting me. Encouraging me. Junk only heightens my anxiety, but knowing I had someone to be there when I fell, that was more than all the presents in the world.”
He gives a small laugh and says, “Someone had to keep you grounded, otherwise your ego would’ve taken you to the clouds. At least your three brothers could help me in that area.”
We both laugh at this. His words are too true to debate.
“You’ve turned into one tough cookie, Mac. I admire your courage in starting this.”
“You have to promise you won’t get mad at me for getting rid of things.” I give him a side-eyed look so he knows I mean business. “And that you’ll call me Kenzie.”
With a resigned tone, he nods and says, “I promise.”
As if in response to his answer, several of the shin guards fall off the wall, taking down anything hanging below them.
“I’m taking that as a sign,” I say, laughing at Dad’s surprised expression.
He uses his fingers to cross over his chest and says, “I solemnly swear I’ll get rid of the junk.”
I can barely breathe after laughing that much. Once all the gear is situated on the wall again, I say, “I’m going to head out.”
“Here’s money for the supplies,” Dad says, pulling out a couple twenties. “See you later, Kenz.”
“Thanks, Dad. Decide what you want to keep. We’ll get everything figured out tomorrow.”
I’ve got my first job. It might take me about twenty years until it’s finished, but it’s a start.
2
TREY
Who knew finding someone to spend your life with was so hard? Obviously, I’d bought into the lie that when the time was right, Ms. Perfect-For-Me would stroll up and say, “Hey, I think we’re in this for the long haul.”
Okay, that’s not the most eloquent of phrases, but I wouldn’t mind that right now.It might be the off-season for hockey, but I’ve still got a lot of training to do to stay in shape. Dating as a professional athlete isn’t the easiest with cameras following me around either.
It’s summer and I see couples everywhere. They’re holding hands, kissing, and even calling each other weird pet names. I’m not into that type of thing, but I feel like I’m missing out on all the secrets of life because my track record for love keeps breaking down before it even leaves the station.
My parents were the classic fall in love at first sight and live happily together for the next forty years, raising me and my three sisters. They’d met at the State Fair when my father was working one of the booths and went on their first date that night. Fast forward a whole month to their engagement and then their marriage six weeks later.
My dad always says, “When you know something, you don’t wait to act on it.”
I don’t think I was given that gift.
And now I’m grumpy because I’d been sucked in by one of those social media videos about the success of people who get up early to get their morning started, and last night I was all motivated. Now I’m wishing I’d turned off my alarm and slept until a normal hour. I haven’t had to get up before sunrise since college.
One thing getting up early is good for is getting all the little things done, but I’m dragging. I might have to get a coffee after crossing off the next item on my to-do list: Get my skates sharpened.
Do I make lists often? No. I’m definitely not conquering the world either.
