Gametime: A Moo U Hockey Romance by Jami Davenport & Heart Eyes Press

Author:Jami Davenport & Heart Eyes Press [Davenport, Jami]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press LLC
Published: 2021-04-25T18:30:00+00:00

21

Hat Trick

Naomi

Paxton was hot, and I was ecstatic for him.

I leapt to my feet, yelling at the top of my lungs, drawing sour looks from the home team fans around us. Paxton had stolen the puck and taken it to the net with one minute left. My dad rose to his feet and clapped. Even he was smiling.

“That’s his third?” asked one of the guys down from us.

“Incredible.”

“Maybe the twins changed places tonight?” another asked.

“I doubt it,” said another.

I ignored them, holding back on my inclination to dress them down. The game ended a minute later, and I followed my dad to the locker room area. He’d expect me to go to dinner with the group, but I wasn’t going. Not tonight.

Tonight was about Paxton and me.

I had to talk to him. I’d thought this through most of the night.

In some ways, his superior play tonight made things more difficult. The last thing I wanted was for him to think I switched allegiances because he’d outplayed his brother. Truthfully, I’d probably switched allegiances long before I recognized my preference, and perhaps longer ago than that epic night I’d spent with Paxton. I burned for more of those nights.

“Paxton was on fire,” I said, making conversation and boosting his street cred with my dad.

“Every player has a good night once in a while. It’s maintaining that high level that separates the men from the boys.”

I looked away from my dad and rolled my eyes. He was as sold on Patrick as Patrick’s own dad was. Neither of them gave Paxton any credit for improving his play.

“Pax has been working hard with the new assistant coach. It shows.”

My father stopped in his tracks and so did I. He turned to look at me, his brows knitted together. “Is there something you aren’t telling me? Because I thought you and Patrick were a thing? He’s perfect for you, and I couldn’t pick a better son-in-law.”

Son-in-law? Exasperated, I threw up my hands. “Dad, we’re not even dating. It’s a little early to marry me off. You might want to cancel the order for the wedding cake and flowers.”

“But I thought you were interested in Patrick?” My dad frowned, disappointment etched on his face, and I hated that. I’d spent most of my life, with the exception of a few rebellious teenage years, trying to please him.

“It’s complicated.”

“Nothing complicated about it. Patrick is perfect for you, and you’re perfect for him.”

“How so, Dad?”

“Do I really have to explain it?”

“I think you do, because I’m not sure how you’re more certain about what I need than I am.”

He heaved an exasperated sigh. “You’re too close to the situation to see what I see. Besides, honey, listen to your father. I know what’s best for you.” His tone went from condescending to cajoling in five words or less.

“I’m not a child anymore, Dad. I do know what’s good for me.”

He patted me on the shoulder as if I were a wayward puppy he’d found wandering the streets. “Trust me on this one.

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