I feel kind of wrecked as I climb into the driver’s seat and start my trip back to Portland. I don’t even care what happens next. If Alex is going to be pissed off at me about Mac or if the media turns it into some big deal that I’m dating the coach’s daughter or if the players balk about it because they think I’m getting preferential treatment. I realize now that I can handle anything. And some battles are worth it. Mac is worth it.
Chapter 31
Conner
Ican tell as soon as I board the plane that Mac has talked to her dad. Coach, as I will have to call him for the foreseeable future. His eyes are on me as soon as I board and he calls my name. “Garrison! We need to talk.”
Okay, so much for me building up to it. I nod and drop my bag on a window seat before continuing to the back where Alex… Coach is standing next to the bathrooms. Everyone is busy getting settled in their seats and buckling up so no one is going to bother us back here. It’s as private as we’re going to get. I come to stand in front of him, squaring my shoulders and locking eyes with him.
I can see why Alex was such a great enforcer when he played. He can look scary as shit when he locks his jaw and narrows his eyes like he’s doing to me at the moment.
“Look, I know that you don’t really know me. You know my parents and my uncles, and I think you think they’re good people.”
“They’re some of the best people I’ve ever known.”
I nod. “Yeah me too. And I’ve spent my life trying to live upto that. I’ve been a good hockey player, a good cousin, a good son, and now I’m going to be a great boyfriend to your daughter.”
“Going to be?” Alex questions folding his beefy arms over his chest. “I thought you guys were already dating.”
“We are. And I was a good boyfriend, but I… I hurt her today,” I admit and holy fuck if looks could kill Alex would have me plastered to the ceiling of this private plane like a coat of paint "But I fixed it. She forgives me, but I don't forgive myself and probably won't for a while. Because Mac's the most amazing person I've ever known. I figured out how awesome she was when I was a kid. But I've never been man enough to let her know until now. Like literally today. Anyway, I could have ended it today, because we both know we're gonna get a lot of media attention neither of us wants when the world realizes I'm dating my coach's daughter, but I think she's worth going through a little drama. Iknowshe is. So yeah, I'm dating your daughter, and as long as she lets me I will continue to do so. Are you okay with that?"
Alex stares at me for a long time. Just stares. It’s got every hair on the back of my neck standing up and a chill rippling down my spine. Thank Christ I don’t play guys with this level of intimidation skills. I would piss myself right there at center ice. “I have to be okay with it because Mackenzie told me that I have to be.”
I almost smile at that, but my self-preservation instincts tell me it’s not a good idea. Alex finally sighs, all that animosity he can command at the drop of a hat disappears and he lets his folded arms drop to his sides. “You the reason she’s chasing to stay in Portland after she graduates?”
I shake my head. “No. She really just likes the place and the job opportunity. For the record if she wanted to move back toNew York or took a job in Idaho or wherever, I would still stick with her.”
He smiles. Actually smiles. And my lungs expand. I feel relief flood my veins. “She’s the most amazing person I’ve ever known. Honestly. Since the second I saw her in that alley, I knew she was special.”
“She makes me a better man,” I tell him and I feel the words in my gut. Nothing has ever been more true.
"I've always liked you Con. And between you and me, you might almost be good enough for her," he says and slaps my shoulder. "Now go sit down so we can get this bird in the air."
I make my way to the seat I left my bag on. Abbott has taken the seat beside me. He moves his knees so I can slink past. “Why do I get the feeling there’s an issue between you and the new coach? Please tell me I’m wrong because I really don’t want bad energy in the locker room.”
“You’re wrong. There’s no issue,” I promise him, and his shoulders start to droop in relief. “But I am dating his daughter.”
“Oh fuck.” Yeah, even the gay guy knows that’s a big no-no.
“He’s cool with it,” I reply. “I swear. We’re old friends. He’s good.”
“Yeah but dude, if you fuck up just once, there’s no way that stays out of the locker room.” Abbott sighs and shakes his head. “Coaches with daughters are dangerous. They will always screw you if you screw their daughters. Even I know that and I don’t screw daughters.”
I smile at that because he’s grinning at it himself. “It’s fine because I won’t screw up.”
"So you're going to date her the entire time he's your coach, no matter what?" Abbott raises an eyebrow like he doesn't think I could want to stay with someone that long. Maybe because it took him a while to commit to Declan.
“I’m hoping to stay with her indefinitely,” I confess and ignore the fear that kind of spikes in my belly. I don’t know if she feels the same. I hope she does. We haven’t said the L word yet.
“Well, obviously I hope it all works out, dude,” Abbott tells me before he puts on his headphones and closes his eyes.
I'm in the hallway between the home team locker room and the visitor one. Tate and I agreed to this PR stunt before the game because everyone always wants pictures of the cousins together when they play each other. My dad says it's worse when it's your siblings but I can't imagine being hounded more than we already are. Tate rounds the corner. He's in flip-flops, sweatpants, and an Under Armor shirt. His sandy brown hair is tucked under an L.A. Quake baseball cap.
He smirks at me as he approaches and the press gathered at the side all start snapping photos and likely taking video. I don’t look over to find out. “Ready to have your ass handed to you?”
“Language little cuz,” I chastise as we hug. “You west coasters are so crass.”
“Shut up. I’m a Mainer at heart, just like you,” Tate laughs. “You’re just jealous I don’t have to shovel snow off my car after a home game.”