“I would never keep actual secrets from you.” And yet, I was. But no, because when he was actually standing in front of me and not just on the phone, I would so easily cave and tell him about the ruse. He would understand.
Hell, he’d probably love it.
I listened to Mal describe all the activities they’d done around a few of the islands. He was going to drive me crazy when he got back, but I loved him too much to care.
TUCKS
“I’m so excited that my favorite goalie was able to come last minute. This guy is a legend, and I’ve looked up to him since I was a kid.”
I was like a kid in a candy store and was pretty sure Dani was about to roll her eyes at my exuberance as we made our way into the hotel later that night for the charity event.
Fuck, she looked stunning tonight. The deep green dress molded to her upper body and flared out over her delectable ass. Shit, I really needed to rein it in. Yes, we were still playing our loving-partner roles, but I had to try not to take it too far like I had last night at Tipsy. My brain must have left my body as soon as my lips touched hers.
“Oh, that’s nice,” she said, pulling my head out of my dick.
“He’s commentating at the game tomorrow night, too.” I’d briefly met Malcolm Albans a few times over the years, the first time being when I was a kid just dreaming about being a goalie for the big show. He’d retired well before I started playing professionally, but I probably would’ve been too nervous to goup against him in an actual game anyway. Not that goalies fired pucks on the other goalie.
“He used to play for Montreal, and he was a brick wall,” I continued. “Oh, that’s him. He’s walking toward us.”
I felt her stiffen next to me, her fingers clutching my arm as my idol stopped in front of us and gave Dani a big smile.
And then she said, “Hi, Dad.”
Dad? My gaze darted between Dani and Malcolm. What the hell? I guess there were some similarities around their cheekbones, but she didn’t have his jet-black hair or brown eyes.
“Danielle, darling, so good to see you. I did wonder if you’d be here.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, but she didn’t move in to embrace him at all, which was weird.
“I thought you were coming in tomorrow,” she said, taking a step back to put space between them. Her words were tight, as was her stance.
What the hell was going on? I’d followed his career and knew he had a kid or two, but I was more interested in his hockey stats than his family life, so it never even crossed my mind that my fake girlfriend could be my idol’s daughter.
And they clearly did not have a great relationship.
“So you did get my messages,” he said.
“Sorry. I’ve been busy with work and everything,” she replied.
“Too busy to make time for dinner with your father? But not too busy for charity events with your new boyfriend. I was sad to hear about you and Jenzy.” Then he chuckled, and the hair on the back of my neck felt tight.
“Guess you do have a type though,” he continued. “Nice to see you again, Tucks. It’s been a while.”
Malcolm held out his hand and I instinctively shook it. He squeezed, his grip firm, and I gave him pressure right back. He tilted his head, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Okay, that was a similarity between him and his daughter.
Fucking hell, his daughter.
Normally, I’d have been over the moon that this man recognized me, but now I just felt a bit icky.
“Nice to see you again too,” I replied woodenly. I kept my smile plastered on my face and gave his hand one last shake before he let go. I sure as hell wasn’t going to drop his hand first.
“We should grab a drink, maybe have them snap a photo of us,” Malcolm said, as if the tension was not thick as hell between him and Dani. I needed to find out what was going on. Yes, she could be a bit prickly, but this was a completely different level of tension, and I didn’t like how she clearly wanted to not even be near him. What the hell had the man done?
“Of course you’d want a picture,” she bit out.
“Dani?” I turned my focus on her. Her expression was placid, but I could feel the anger coming off of her.
“Why wouldn’t I? I don’t often get to see my daughter since you’ve chosen to live in Denver and not back home in Montreal,” he said.
