Page 20 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie (Second Chance Hockey Players #2)

"Have you forgotten I know you? You do that thing," he says, gesturing toward my hand. "You start tapping your index finger against your thumb when you’re hesitating to ask something. So, what is it?"

I glance down at my hand, realizing he’s right.

“What is it?"

I hesitate for another second before finally asking, softly - "What about her?"

His expression doesn’t change. "Huh?"

I exhale, my voice quieter now. "Olivia."

A beat of silence.

His jaw tightens. His gaze flickers to the fire.

Then another beat of silence.

Just when I think he won’t answer - just when I’m about to tell him to forget I asked - he finally speaks.

"She left when the kids were just one."

That’s it. No explanation. No anger. Just a quiet, matter-of-fact statement.

I wait, hoping he’ll say more.

He doesn’t.

A lump forms in my throat, but I swallow it down.

A moment later, his voice is quieter, almost raw.

"Thank you," he says. "I know I have said this before or countless times, and I know what your answer is gonna be, but still, thank you for agreeing to be with the kids. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

Something in his tone makes my chest ache.

I don’t respond right away. Instead, I watch him, the flickering firelight casting shadows across his face.

Suddenly, I get a light bulb moment…

Ohhh… do I ask him or not?

Here, we go.

“Well, Blake,” I shift slightly, tucking my legs under me, a grin on my face. "If you're so thankful, you’re gonna have to do something for me."

His brow arches, suspicion flashing across his features. "Should I be worried? Your smile seems suspicious."

I smirk. “Are you refusing?”

“I don’t even know what ‘the thing’ I have to do for you is.”

I wave a hand. "Minor detail. It’s nothing illegal. Or dangerous. Probably."

"You’re not inspiring confidence here, Whit." He exhales, shaking his head. "All right, hit me."

I hesitate for half a second before saying, "I need you to be my boyfriend next week."

The moment the words leave my mouth, his eyes widen slightly. His head tilts, the corners of his lips twitching as if he’s trying to figure out whether I’m joking or not. His expression flickers between surprise and something else I can’t quite place.

"Fake," I add quickly. "Fake boyfriend. For a day."

He blinks. "Oh, a day. Just for a day?"

I narrow my eyes. "What?"

"Nothing."

“Um… I don’t know what you’re thinking, but…”

“I’m not thinking about anything.” He plasters on an innocent expression, but I know better.

"Yeah, right." I narrow my eyes at him but shake my head. "Anyway, I need a plus one for an event, and it would just be easier if you were my boyfriend."

“Hmm…” He leans forward slightly. "And it has to be a boyfriend because…?"

I sigh, leaning my head back against the couch. "It’s an engagement party."

He blinks. "Engagement party?"

"Yeah." I let out a humorless laugh. "My ex’s engagement party."

His expression sharpens slightly, and he studies me, his expression unreadable.

"What?" I ask, shifting under his gaze.

"You didn’t think I’d be single all these years, did you?" I add, attempting to keep my voice casual. "I’m certain you haven’t been, so…"

He shifts slightly. "I have."

I blink. "You… what?"

His eyes meet mine, steady and unflinching. "I haven’t dated anyone all these years."

The words hit harder than they should. My breath catches slightly, but I recover quickly, forcing a light scoff. "Seriously?"

He nods.

I stare at him, trying to process it, and then, before I can stop myself, I ask, "Why?"

He doesn’t answer.

And when the silence stretches too long, I clear my throat and look away first.

“So, ex-bf drama, why?”

“As I said, it’s my ex’s engagement party.

We broke up last year.” I sigh, rubbing a hand up and down my arm.

“Daniel and I dated for almost two years. Things were… good, or so I thought. Then one day, out of nowhere, he told me he needed space. Said he wasn’t sure if he was ready for something serious. ”

Blake raises an eyebrow. “Let me guess, he found that ‘readiness’ really quick with someone else?”

I let out a dry laugh. “Ding, ding, ding. A month later, he was suddenly madly in love with some woman he’d ‘just met.’” I make air quotes, unable to hide the bitterness from my voice.

“Turns out, she wasn’t so new. He’d been seeing her behind my back.

And the icing of the cake, she was my closest friend.

At one point, I kind of felt history repeat itself… without the last part though.”

Blake’s expression darkens. His jaw tightens slightly, but he says nothing.

“Anyhow,” I continue. “Now, he’s throwing this ridiculously extravagant engagement party and purposefully invited me. I know he wants to gloat. He wants me there so he can rub it in my face.”

“I can’t just not go because we have mutual friends, business connections, and work relationships that overlap. If I don’t show up, it’ll look like I’m jealous. Bitter. Angry." I glance at him. "Which, for the record, I am none of those three."

His lips twitch like he doesn’t quite believe me, but he wisely stays quiet.

“So, I…,” I pause, then grin. "I figured showing up with someone more handsome and impressive than him would be the best kind of slap in the face."

We just…, look at each other.

The fire crackles, filling the space between us.

I clear my throat and look away first. “Well, um…, I know this is cliché, but would you help me?”

Blake leans back, a slow smirk creeping onto his face. “Oh, I’ll help.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re enjoying this? Or planning to?”

He shrugs. “Of course. After all, I get to be your boyfriend again, even if it’s just for show.”

My stomach flips, but I quickly shove the feeling aside.

“But then, let’s clarify something,” his brow lifts, with amusement. “You find me handsome and impressive?”

I freeze.

Oh. Oh no.

Panic flares in my chest, and I scramble for a way to cover up what I just said. “I, I mean, objectively speaking, you’re - not bad looking, and you’re…, you know… tall. And, um, you work out, so, I mean, obviously , I had to make sure my date wasn’t a downgrade…”

"So, I’m an upgrade ?"

Blake watches me with pure amusement, one brow raised like he’s thoroughly enjoying this mess I’m making.

“Forget I said anything.” I scowl, crossing my arms.

“Oh, no.” He grins. “I think I’d like to hear more about how you find me handsome and impressive.”

I groan, grabbing a pillow and chucking it at him. He catches it effortlessly, still smirking. "You are insufferable."

"And handsome. And impressive. Your words, not mine. Don’t worry, I’ll be the best fake boyfriend ever."

I don’t know why, but the way he says it makes my heart skip.

I tell myself it’s just nerves.