Page 26 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie (Second Chance Hockey Players #2)

Blake chuckles, shaking his head. “All right. Dinner sounds good.”

****

Dinner is…, chaotic. The good kind - mostly. It started as a simple plan: Keith, the kids, Blake, and me. But then James caught wind that Keith was footing the bill, and poof —suddenly, he and Tomas invited themselves. Then Liam and Hazel decided to join in.

I struggle to hold in my laugh at the way Keith’s face twisted. Poor guy. His wallet is probably crying.

The restaurant buzzes with warmth and conversation. We’re at a long table; I’m next to Blake, with Mia perched on my left and Nico on his right. It’s…, cozy. Too cozy. Mia keeps stealing fries off my plate while Blake helps Nico cut his chicken tenders. It’s a whole thing.

Laughter and teasing flow like wine, stories bouncing around, and of course, James being the loudest until - he decides to sprout up nonsense that almost made me want to shoot a plate like a Frisbee into his mouth.

“Honestly, guys, just look at these four.” He gestures toward me, Blake, and the kids. “They look like a family - a family.”

Silence.

Tomas smacks the back of his head.

“Ow! What the hell, man?” James rubs his head.

Tomas rolls his eyes. “What nonsense are you sprouting now?”

“I’m just saying!” James huffs. “I’m not saying they are - I’m saying they look like…, you know, picture-perfect or something.”

I feel Blake is still beside me, but he says nothing, just continues cutting his steak like the comment doesn’t exist. My fingers tighten around my fork, and before anyone can get any ideas, I let out an awkward laugh.

“Oh, totally. Just like how Tomas and James look like a couple when they argue in public. It’s adorable, really.”

The table erupts in laughter, shifting the attention to James spluttering in protest while Tomas just shakes his head. Crisis averted. For now.

Dinner resumes, and I get lost in the casual banter - until Blake does something unexpected.

Without a word, he slides his perfectly cut steak in front of me and takes my plate instead, casually switching them like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

I blink, staring at my new plate.

James leans forward, resting his chin on his hands, blinking dramatically at Blake. “Dude, since when did you become a gentleman? Why didn’t you cut my ribs too, huh? No fair. And what about Hazel?”

Blake scoffs, unimpressed. “One, I’ve always been a gentleman - not a barbarian like you.

Two, Hazel has Liam cut her steak for her, which, if you were paying attention, pretty parrot, you’d have noticed he already did.

Three, Whitney’s a lady and someone close to me, and last but not least, your hands work just fine. Stop being a lazy sourpuss.”

Keith raises an eyebrow. “You guys seem awfully close,” he comments, a joking edge to his voice - but there’s something else there. Something almost serious.

Panic mode: activated.

Mia, bless her oblivious little heart, nods eagerly. “Yeah! Daddy and Whitney are close! They play together, laugh together…”

Nico jumps in. “And he carries her sometimes!”

I nearly choke on the air. I laugh, but it’s forced, light, dismissive. “Please, don’t start.” I wave my fork in the air. “He’s just trying to prove that chivalry isn’t dead.”

Keith hums.

Blake finally speaks, leaning back. “Why wouldn’t we be close?” His voice is casual, almost amused, as he puts a piece of steak in his mouth. “She’s your sister, I’ve known her forever, and she’s my kids’ nanny, so, it’s only natural, yeah?”

I stare at him.

James whistles low. “Okaaay…!”

Keith eyes Blake carefully before letting out a short laugh. “Relax. I’m just kidding.”

I don’t miss the flicker of suspicion in his eyes though as he pops a fry into his mouth.

The conversation moves on, but my pulse doesn’t settle. I feel hot. The restaurant suddenly feels too small, too loud, too much. I need air.

After a while, I push my chair back. “I’ll be right back.” I don’t wait for a response before stepping outside.

The night air is crisp, cooling my overheated skin as I lean against the restaurant’s wall, inhaling deeply.

Keith suspects something.

I know him. He jokes, but he also notices things. And Blake - Blake isn’t helping.

I run a hand over my face, exhaling slowly. It’s fine. It’s not like there’s anything to suspect, right?

Right.

I turn to head back inside - only to find Blake stepping out.

His eyes flick over me, brows pulling together. “You okay?”

I let out a breathless, humorless laugh. “Okay? Do I look okay?” I glare at him. “Keith is suspicious. I know there’s nothing going on between us…, I mean maybe…, but…, Keith…”

Blake shrugs, unfazed. “So?”

“So?” My voice hitches. “Why would you give me your steak? Why did you say that? Why did you say it like that?” I throw my hands up. “You’re making things complicated for me.”

Blake exhales through his nose, shaking his head. “Why are you so afraid of admitting how you feel?”

My pulse stutters. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” His voice is calm, too calm.

I fold my arms. “Whatever I felt for you died four years ago.”

He walks closer to me, so close I can feel his breath on my face, gaze unreadable. “Then why are you so flustered right now?”

I open my mouth, then close it.

He watches me for a moment longer before stepping away, sighing. “We’ll continue this at home.” He nods toward the door. “Let’s go in.”

And just like that, he opens the door, waiting for me to follow.

I am so screwed.