“And one for luck,” Parker says, lifting her glass to tap mine.
“Ugh,” I complain after swallowing. It burns all the way down to my stomach. “I think we might be too old for shots.’
“Bullshit. No one is ever too old for shots.”
“I’ll remind you of that in the morning,” I tease.
“It’ll be worth it,” she says, reaching for the second.
“Really?”
“Really.”
I can’t lie; the second one goes down a little easier. The buzz it gives me only adds to that from tonight’s win, and I’m on my way to being ready to dance the night away.
It’s a little over thirty minutes later when the team begins to join us.
I know he’s coming—his mom and daughter are here. But this time, I don’t stare at the door, waiting for him to appear like a lost puppy.
That eye contact earlier was enough for me to handle.
Anymore and I might end up really embarrassing myself.
The image of me humping his leg appears in my head, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Is this a private joke, or can anyone join?” Parker quips.
“It’s nothing. I just…” My words trail off as tingles run down my spine.
“Just what?” she pushes.
He just walked in.
Inhaling through my nose, I try to focus on Parker, but I can barely even remember my own name.
“Daddy,” ripples through the room, and I lose my fight to keep my eyes off him.
My head twists just in time to see her jump into his arms.
He engulfs her small body in a hug and presses a kiss on the top of her head.It’s adorable.
“You were amazing tonight.”
He whispers a response, but his voice is lower and less excited, stopping me from hearing his words.
“That final assist was incredible. But not as good as your first goal. That play was perfect. Monroe is good, too; he was a good choice. I’ve already told Coach.”
Parker snorts a laugh. Apparently, she’s listening too.
“She’s you fifteen years ago,” Parker whispers.
“Uh…I don’t ever remember giving Dad’s coach advice.”
“Something tells me he might say otherwise,” she counters.
Turning away from father and daughter, I start to argue. “I did—” But the second I look into Parker’s glinting eyes, my words vanish. “Fine, maybe I did once or twice. I was right, though.”
“James always said you should have become a coach,” she says as our fresh drinks are placed before us.
