Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 131271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
His words hit like a slap, and the weight of his question snags in my chest.
“This isn’t just about what’s best for us,” I say carefully. “It’s about what Riley wants. And she chose us despite all the pitfalls we were anticipating. We’re not perfect by any means but we’re doing everything we can to ensure she’s loved and supported. We’re here because we care about her, not because we’re looking for some short-term gratification. We’re serious about this.”
Mr. Johnstone doesn’t respond right away. Instead, he looks at Riley, who’s been silent this whole time.
“This is what you want?” He asks her in a way that confirms he knows but is checking again.
She nods, her voice soft but sure. “Yes.”
Her father’s shoulders sag slightly like he’s carrying the weight of a decision he doesn’t want to make.
“I don’t like this,” he says, his voice heavy. “I don’t like seeing my daughter cry. I don’t like reading about her life on social media. But what I like doesn’t matter. Riley’s an adult, and she’ll make her own choices. That’s the woman I’ve raised her to be, and I don’t get to change my mind just because she’s making a decision I would make differently. I just want you to understand what you’re asking of her—and what it’ll cost her, especially next year.”
Next year.
When we go pro, he means. When we’re not around to protect Riley and when our profiles will only make things worse for her.
“We do,” Hayes says firmly. “And we hate that she has to face any of this. We understand that our profiles will bring increased attention to Riley, and we will do whatever it takes to keep her out of the spotlight.”
The silence stretches again, and for a moment, I wonder if Tom will kick us out. But then he sighs and moves to sit on the arm of Riley’s chair, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m not going to stand in your way,” he says, his voice low. “But you’d better mean what you say. Because if you hurt her, I won’t forgive you. Not any of you.”
“We understand, sir,” I say. “And that’s not going to happen. We will do whatever it takes to protect her.”
I meet Riley’s gaze and find her eyes soft, and lips formed into a gentle, pouty smile that immediately sets free all the tension I’ve been carrying. If I could go to her and pull her into my arms, I would hold on like I never want to let her go, but her father’s attention is still on us, and overstepping boundaries won’t do us any favors.
He nods, and I regret that we’re here under challenging circumstances. His moderate approach to us and his respect for Riley’s maturity and agency are so different from how I imagine either of my parents would have responded to this news. It makes me regret the way I felt about him after our families separated, and I wish we’d had a chance to be proactive about our reintroduction.
I stand, knowing we’ve reached the end of the discussion and our welcome today. There’ll be other days when we can work to repair bridges. My brothers follow, and so does Riley as we make our way to the front door. When we step into the hallway, we all turn to find Riley gripping the jamb, eyes searching.
“We’re playing tonight,” Hayes says. “We’re going to need to make a statement if we’re asked. Are you okay with us doing that?”
She shrugs. “I don’t like that we’re trending, and as Eastern’s hockey social media bod, I’m not exactly relishing having to make a statement about myself, but we knew this was coming at some point.”
“We did,” I say, shoving my hands into my pockets so I don’t reach for her.
“You’re serious about what you said to my dad?”
“Yes,” Shawn says. “Of course.”
The flush across her makeup-free cheeks is so sweet, I can almost taste it. “We know how we feel, Riley. Do you?”
“Yes,” she says quickly. “Yes.”
I turn to my brothers, finding them both grinning goofily.
“Come over later,” I say. “After the game.”
“Won’t you be tired?”
“Yes. But Shawn has a lot of groveling to do, and it’s probably best if he gets it out of the way.”
Shawn chips at the ground with the toe of his shoe. “I’m really sorry, Riley,” he says before looking up at her through his lashes. It’s his trademark way of trying to get away with something bad, and it works because Riley nods.
I punch him on the shoulder. “Don’t try that shit with our girl.”
Riley laughs and steps back inside the door. “I should go before Dad changes his mind. Good luck for tonight.”
“As long as you’re in our lives, we have all the luck we need,” Hayes says.
I’m shocked to find that a part of me agrees with him. Hockey’s always been my central focus, but the thought of losing Riley has swamped my thoughts, even though we’re playing an important game later.