Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
“Yes. The whole team now knows. We have to tell him.”
My nose scrunches. “Can’t we stay in this bubble another minute?” Please say yes. What if Dad doesn’t approve? What if he feels betrayed that we both lied? My stomach bottoms out, and I feel like I’m going to be sick.
Dad wouldn’t do that, right?
“As much as I want to, the answer is no. Come on, Hellfire, I want to be able to show you off. I want to hold your hand in public. Kiss you in public, and I don’t wanna sneak around anymore. I love you, and I want everyone in the world to know.”
“Well, when you put it that way, how can I say no?”
“You can’t.”
“Fine, let’s go,” I groan.
Dane laughs, and the laugh sounds different. I never asked any questions the day he snuck out of bed. I knew he was going to see his uncle, and I knew Molly was going with him. I don’t know what happened. All I know is he came back a different man. A lighter one. The dark circles under his eyes were gone, and he just seemed happier.
If he ever wants to tell me what happened, I’ll be there to listen, but I’ll never push him. I trust him with all my heart.
Fifteen minutes later, we park the car in the front of the house, and together, we walk around back to the door I always enter from.
“Hello, anyone here?”
“In my office,” my dad calls out.
“You ready?” I whisper to Dane.
“Never been more ready for anything in my life.”
We start walking, and as we enter the room, he takes my hand.
I give him a nod, and we walk in together.
When my father looks up from his desk, he smiles at us both and then he clocks our joined hands.
He doesn’t give any thoughts or feelings away. Just stares for a minute, then he picks up the phone and dials.
“Can you come to my office?”
Who did he just call?
Is it someone from the team that he wants to come to the house?
Or . . .
Footsteps sound from behind me, and I turn over my shoulder to see Sherry moving in our direction and into the room.
She walks past us and to my father’s desk.
What is happening?
My heart feels like it’s beating way too fast to be healthy.
Then my father stands, reaches into his pocket, and hands Sherry a twenty-dollar bill.
“Nice doing business with you, Robert.”
“What is happening?” I ask.
“It seems these guys had a bet, and Sherry won,” Dane responds.
Sherry bounces on her feet. “Sure did.”
“I’m confused.”
“Hellfire, we were the bet.” Dane turns to my father. “How long have you known?”
“From the beginning.”
My eyes go wide. Does he mean from the first night? Or the first day at work?
“How?”
“I saw the way Dane looked at you when you started working for the team. Yes, he was grumpy, but there was something else there, and for the first time since I’ve known him, I felt like he had a chance at happiness.”
“So you knew that all the way back then, and you made her work for me anyway?”
“Hell, yeah, I did. Dane, you’re like a son to me, and when I saw you happy, I decided—”
“To play Cupid?”
“I mean, I wouldn’t say it like that.”
“Matchmaker?”
“That sounds more accurate,” my father says.
“You’re not pissed?”
“Nope.” My father walks up beside Sherry and puts an arm around her.
“And what exactly was the bet?”
“How long it would take Dane to get his head out of his ass and come here and ask for my blessing.”
“I haven’t asked yet, so technically, you haven’t won yet, Sherry.”
My dad’s brow lifts. “Is that so?”
“It is, but you’re right. I am here to ask for your blessing to date your daughter. I love her, and I can’t go another day without the whole world knowing.”
“Afraid Hudson might hit on her again?”
“Damn straight, but in all seriousness, I want to be with your daughter.”
“You’ve always had my approval.”
I drop Dane’s hand and walk over to my father, hugging him. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I only want you to be happy.”
I look around. Who knew when I got here that not only would I get a father, another mom, and now the love of my life?
Not me, that’s for sure.
It’s crazy how life happens.
I walk back to Dane, and then my father and Sherry leave the room, giving us a moment alone.
“I love you, Hellfire.”
“I love you, too.”
EPILOGUE
DANE
Eight Months Later . . .
I sit in front of his tombstone, Cup in hand. It’s been a year since I was last here, and since then a lot has happened.
The Saints won the Cup again, and I’m back here, but this time, I’m not alone. Sitting beside me is my little hellfire.
“Hey, Dad.” I take a deep breath, and from beside me, Josephine places a small hand on my lap and gives my thigh a squeeze, letting me know she’s here for me. “It’s taken me a while to get here, but I wanted to tell you that I forgive you. I forgive you for everything, and I love you. You weren’t always the best father, I know this, but you tried, you tried the best you could with the upbringing you had, and I forgive you.” I look over at Josephine and she gives me a small smile. “This is Josie. Well, Josephine. Or Hellfire.” I laugh.