“Yesss,” Sutton celebrates.
“Make the most of it. It won’t happen again for another year.”
“Worth it,” she mutters before diving in.
“I think you might have just created a new family tradition,” I tell Kodie as he takes his seat, his fork poised to cut off a piece of his pie.
He stills, his eyes lifting to meet mine. “No, Casey.Wejust created a new family tradition.”
“We’re going to do some practice in the yard, after this,” Sutton explains. “Do you want to be on my team, Casey? Girls against boys.” Her competitive smirk as she looks at her dad is everything.
“I’d love to. Your dad doesn’t stand a chance.”
We spend hours in Kodie’s yard playing grass hockey. It might not be quite the same as being on the ice, but it’s a lot of fun. And by the time we finished, I was exhausted. Hockey was not what my sore muscles needed.
Kodie made us omelets and a fruit salad for lunch, and after gently declining an offer from Sutton to play in her room, I let Kodie grab my things and meet me at the front door.
“Please stay a little longer,” Sutton begs.
I’d love to. Hell, I’d happily stay here forever if I could. ButKodie doesn’t get to spend all that much time with his little girl during the season, and I’ve already taken up enough of it.
“Another day, I promise I will. I’ve got plans with my friend this afternoon.” I didn’t have any plans earlier in the day, but one message to Parker earlier and she insisted she needed to know every detail about my sleepover with Kodie. If I don’t get moving, she’s going to beat me to my apartment.
“Parker Donnelly?” Sutton asks.
“Yeah.”
“She’s cool. So is her brother.”
“Oh yeah?” Kodie asks. “I thought you were a Viper through and through.”
“I am. But Donnelly is good. Really good. I think your D line could definitely use him. I’ve mentioned it to Coach a few times now. Just waiting for him to realize it.”
“I’ll have a word too,” I offer.
Sutton lights up. “Really? You think I’m right?”
“Yeah. I think he’d be a good addition to our team. And I know Parker would love having him around.”
Sutton beams with pride.
“Sutton, we need to pop to the store; can you go and get your shoes on please?”
“Ow, really?” she complains.
“Really.”
Reluctantly, Sutton disappears up the stairs, leaving us alone for the first time in hours.
Kodie steps forward, pinning me to his front door with his hips, his forearms on either side of my head.
“She likes you,” he teases.
“I hope she’s not the only one.”
“Nope. I’m pretty sure Mom likes you too.”
“And what about you?” I tease, tilting my head to the side.
