Page 32

CHAPTER

THIRTY-TWO

DELANEY

I walk into the Fire House, hand in hand with my fiancé. The entire scene feels like déjà vu—almost identical to the one we stepped into a few days ago. Same bar. Same crowd. Same energy.

“I’m having serious déjà vu,” I say. “A parade of players isn’t about to come at me with Post-it notes again, right? I mean, I already have the ring.” I lift my left hand, flashing the diamond for emphasis.

Max squeezes my hand. “No Post-its tonight. Promise.”

“Look, I’m super excited about our engagement—don’t get me wrong. I’m just not entirely sure why we’re having an engagement party that’s basically a copy-paste of your Stanley Cup celebration… three days later. Wasn’t the night you proposed enough of a celebration?”

“Because my sister wasn’t in town then, and she is now. So yes, we’re having a party.” He reaches across my body, takes my left hand in his, and presses a kiss to the ring. “This is worth celebrating.”

I arch a brow. “Okay, but the entire team can’t be thrilled to be dragged out again. I mean, didn’t we just do this? I’m not trying to be a downer—I’m just honestly curious. I don’t want anyone to feel put out.”

Max laughs. “Babe, the Cranes love any excuse to party. Everyone’s happy to be here. Well, everyone except Gunner. I’m sure Penny dragged him out against his will, but don’t take that personally. It’s just how he is.”

The moment we step farther into the space, Olivia appears from the crowd. She wraps her arms around Max, then pulls me in for a hug.

“Thank God you’re here,” she mutters. “There’s some creepy guy who keeps hitting on me. He’s by the bar, wearing a maroon button-up. Honestly, I was about to fake a phone call to escape.”

My eyes find the bar. Maroon shirt. Salt-and-pepper hair. Half smile like he owns the room. My stomach sinks.

I freeze.

My heart does that awful gallop it hasn’t done in a long time. Because I know that man.

It’s my dad.

Everything in me twists—not with fear, not exactly. More like disappointment laced with dread. I haven’t seen him in years, and the first time he shows up is at my engagement celebration? The fact that he’s hitting on a woman half his age isn’t surprising, but why is he here?

My gaze circles the space, and that’s when I spot my mom, sitting alone, sipping a glass of wine and eyeing my father with a look of longing—and I’ve answered my question.

There’s no doubt in my mind that she invited him.

It doesn’t matter how many women younger than me he parades in front of her or how horribly he treats her—she never stops wanting him. It makes me so sad for her.

Max catches my shift in posture. “Laney?”

“That’s... that’s my dad.”

His jaw tightens. “Do you want me to?—”

“No.” I square my shoulders. “I’ve got this.”

I cross the room before I can talk myself out of it. When I reach him, he straightens. “Laney.”

“What are you doing here?” I narrow my gaze.

He lifts his drink, unbothered. “Your mom invited me. Said it was a party.”

“Yeah, I figured she invited you, but did you stop to think that it’s not appropriate for you to be here?”

“And why not? I’m your father. I should be invited to important things in your life,” he snaps.

“Dad, what’s the party for?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Um… I don’t believe your mother mentioned that part.”

“I have no doubt that she did, but you didn’t listen because you don’t care. You haven’t reached out to me in years. Every time I saw you before that, you paraded half dressed women around Mom in some sort of torture ritual.”

“We’re divorced, Delaney. I’m allowed to have other relationships.”

“So when’s the last time you called Mom or saw her?”

He presses his lips into a fine line and furrows his brow. “I don’t know.”

“Anytime within the last year?”

He shrugs. “Maybe.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“Excuse me,” he snaps, nostrils flaring.

“You are.” I hold my ground. “You know she still harbors feelings for you, and you use her to stroke your ego. You call on her when you need something, take advantage of her when you’re feeling lonely, and then discard her like she means nothing.

You do it over and over and over again. It’s cruel, and she doesn’t deserve that.

You will never love her the way she deserves to be loved.

Let her go.” My voice trembles with anger.

“And don’t show up uninvited by me to my engagement party and hit on my future sister-in-law. It’s gross.”

He has the nerve to smile. “I didn’t know she was your sister-in-law.”

“Does that make it better? You shouldn’t be here. You showed up to stir drama, not because you care about me or Mom or anything we have going on in our lives.”

His face sobers. “You look good, Laney. I’m… happy… for you.” He struggles to say the last part, as if kindness costs him something.

“Thanks,” I say flatly. “If you truly care or want a relationship, we’ll have to address that another time. But tonight is not about you. I need you to leave. Straight for the door, no stops—gone.”

He opens his mouth like he might argue, but for once, he doesn’t. He just nods and sets his drink down. “I’ll go. Tell your mom thanks for the invite.”

I watch him walk out. My chest is tight, but I’m not crumbling. He won’t call or follow up, just like he hasn’t since my graduation. For whatever reason, I’m not worth his time. And because I don’t let him use me, I’m not worth his effort either.

I’ve had many confrontations with my father over the years that have always left me shattered, but now? I feel annoyed—sure—but more than anything, I still feel whole. I feel happy.

My gaze finds Max across the bar, and I can’t help but smile as I see his eyes nervously flicking back and forth between me and his conversation. I have no doubt he was ready to come to my rescue if I needed him.

My mother’s at my side now, grabbing my arm. “Where did your dad go?”

“He left because he wasn’t invited.”

“Honey, he’s your father?—”

I cut her off. “Mom, I’ve set boundaries, and you should, too. I love you, but we can talk about this later. I’m not going to let him taint another second of this night.” I reach forward and squeeze her hand. “Let’s have fun.”

Tears spring to her eyes, and she nods slowly. “Okay.”

I hug her, then step away, needing a moment.

I find Max waiting, his gaze steady.

“You okay?”

“Actually... yeah. I think I am.”

I rest my head on his shoulder. “A few years ago, that would’ve wrecked me. But now? I feel... strong. Stable. Like I know who I am. And I think a big part of that is you.”

He wraps an arm around me, pulling me close.

“I’m so proud of you,” he whispers.

“Thank you,” I whisper back.

I hear Beckett beside me. “Laney, I think you dropped something.”

“What?” I turn toward him. “Are you…”

“Kidding!” He laughs. “Here you go.” He hands me my favorite drink.

I shake my head. “Fine. With this drink, you’re forgiven—but that note parade was a one-time thing.”

“Yeah, good thing. Some of those were a little kinky.” He wags his eyebrows.

“Leave her alone.” Elena shoos her husband away and calls over her shoulder, “Congrats again, guys!”

Max and I chuckle.

The party surges on. It’s just as fun as it was a few nights ago—well, almost. I mean, nothing will top that night. But I feel different. The familiar, overwhelming feeling of love that’s engulfed me is still present, but something inside me has shifted.

I’ve finally healed a trauma that I’ve kept buried for years. Maybe I’ve been slowly letting it go this whole time, and that one conversation just helped me realize it.

Something inside me has truly shifted.

I feel lighter. I feel loved. I feel happy.

But most notably, I feel free.