Page 38 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie (Second Chance Hockey Players #2)
Keith is a lot of things - stubborn, prideful, a pain in my butt - but if he’s here, asking to talk, it means something.
I study him for a second before nodding. “All right. Let’s meet at…,” I pause, thinking. “Duke’s Grill”
Just as I’m about to say something else, he interrupts. “I’m not paying for you.”
I smirk. “Really? Thanks so very much for offering to pay for me.” I jerk my head toward the passenger seat. “Now, get in. Let’s go.”
He mutters something under his breath as he pulls open the car door.
I chuckle as I slide into the driver’s seat. “Oh, don't you like a little payback?”
Keith shoots me a glare but doesn’t say anything.
Duke’s Grill isn’t fancy, but it’s exactly the kind of place you go to when you want a good burger and a little privacy. We get a booth near the back, order our food, and sit in a silence that’s not quite comfortable but not exactly hostile either.
Keith finally breaks it.
“I’m still upset with you,” he says, blunt as ever.
I nod. “I figured.”
He leans back in his seat, arms crossed. “I saw the signs, you know. I wasn’t completely oblivious. I just…, I think I just didn’t want to believe it.” His jaw clenches. “Refused to believe it.”
I don’t say anything because there’s nothing to argue. Keith’s always been protective of Whitney.
"Keith…"
He lifts a hand, stopping me. “She said you…, you looked out for her. Was there for her in a way I wasn’t.”
“Man, she told me about what she said to you all that day. Don’t be upset with her. I’m sure she didn’t mean most of what she said. She was just talking from a place of hurt.”
Keith shakes his head, looking down at the table.
“No, no. She was right about most of the things she said. Looking back, I could see what she was talking about and understood how she felt. We also didn’t make it easier on her.
It’s just…, God, I love that girl. So much. More than the rest of my siblings.”
“She loves you too, man. You know it. You were here big bro, her inspiration, and her anchor, believe me. She spends so much time talking about you. The good, bad, and ugly, and especially how much she loves you.”
Keith sniffs, exhales, and runs his hand through his hair before leaning forward, forearms resting on the table.
“I need to ask you something, and I need you to be truthful and honest with me.”
“Am I never?” I say to be answered with a glare.
Mumbling a quick sorry, I brace myself.
“Do you love her? Really love her?” His voice is quieter this time, but there’s an edge to it. “Or are you just looking for someone to play mother to your kids?”
I blink, a little stunned by that one. “Kind of offended, you'd ask me that, man.”
Keith lifts a brow. “Just answer the question.”
I exhale, shaking my head. “Yeah. I love her. So, so much. And not because I need her to be anything for my kids. I love her for who she is. For the way she sees people, for the way she keeps me grounded, for the way she drives me absolutely insane but somehow makes me want forever with her anyway.” I look him in the eye.
“I lost her once. I’m not doing it again.
So yeah, Keith. I love her. More than I can put into words. ”
Keith studies me, then sighs. “Good.” He shifts forward, resting his arms on the table. “Because if you hurt her a second time…”
“You’ll kill me,” I finish for him, smirking slightly.
Keith rolls his eyes. “I’ll make you wish you were dead.”
I chuckle. “Duly noted.”
The tension eases. Not completely, but enough.
Keith shakes his head and mutters, “I can’t believe she picked you.”
I grin. “I can.”
Keith groans. “You’re insufferable.”
“Yeah, but you love me.”
He glares. “I tolerate you.”
After a few minutes, we left. Outside, the night air feels colder than before. We stand by my car, the conversation still hanging between us.
Then Keith clears his throat. "All right, come here before I change my mind."
I barely have time to react before he pulls me into a rough hug, clapping my back once before stepping away like it never happened.
I smirk. "You do know this means you like me, right?"
Keith groans. "No…, I am simply giving in because I still need my best man by my side at my wedding.”
I laugh, shaking my head as I unlock the car. "Nothing was going to stop me from being your best man, not even you."
“Take care of her,” he says.
“I will.”
And I mean it.
We drive back, the silence between us no longer heavy, but easy.
I drop him off, watching as he heads inside. Then I drive home - my heart is a little lighter than before.
The second I step inside, I’m met with noise and laughter.
“Daddy!”
I barely have time to brace myself before Mia and Nico come barreling toward me, their little feet pounding against the hardwood floor.
I crouch down, catching them both in my arms as they crash into me.
“Hey, monsters,” I murmur, pressing kisses to their heads. “Did you guys have fun?”
They immediately launch into an overlapping, chaotic recap of their trip - something about a big Ferris wheel, a beach, and a scary bird that tried to steal Mia’s sandwich.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Sounds like an adventure.”
“It was!” Nico exclaims, his eyes wide.
Still grinning, I rise to my feet as I step into the living room.
Mom stands up the moment she sees me, arms open.
“Blake,” she says, pulling me into a warm hug.
“Hey, Mom.”
She squeezes me once before pulling back, giving me a look-over like she’s making sure I’m still intact. "You did good tonight," she whispers.
"Thanks, Mom."
I reach out and ruffle my sister’s hair as I pass by, dodging when she swats at me. I just laugh before my eyes finally land on Whitney, standing a few feet away, waiting patiently, a soft smile on her lips.
My chest tightens.
God, I missed her.
Crossing the room in a few strides, I pull her into my arms, wrapping her up against me.
She melts into me instantly, arms wrapping around my neck as I bury my face against her shoulder, inhaling her scent.
“I missed you so much,” I murmur against her neck.
She exhales, arms tightening around me. “I missed you too.”
I kiss her neck, lingering, then find her lips. The kiss is soft but deep, the kind that makes the world fade for a second.
“Ahem.”
My mom’s voice makes us pull apart slightly, though I keep Whitney close.
“Get a room, you two,” she teases. “Don’t spoil my innocent grandkids.”
I chuckle, glancing at the twins, who are too busy playing with their stuffed animals to care.
Looking back at my mom, I say, “Mum, we’re going out. Please watch the kids. We’ll be back soon.”
Whitney huffs, glancing at her clothes. "At least let me change first."
I shake my head, smirking. “You look beautiful,” lacing our fingers together as we head for the door.
We end up at Milo’s Ice Cream Bar, a small spot downtown that stays open late. It’s quiet now, just a few people sitting at tables under the string lights outside.
We order - chocolate for me, vanilla with caramel drizzle for Whitney - and sit at one of the tables.
She smiles at me. “Congratulations, again. You were incredible tonight.”
I shrug, taking a bite. “Team effort. But I would have felt more incredible if my girlfriend was there to watch me.”
She nudges my arm playfully. “Oh, please. You did just fine without me.”
I shake my head. “It wasn’t the same.”
Her teasing expression softens, and she reaches over to squeeze my hand. “I’m really proud of you, Blake.”
I thread our fingers together, brushing my thumb over hers. “Thanks, baby.”
A beat passes before I exhale. “I talked to Keith tonight.”
Her brows lift slightly. “Yeah?”
I told her everything Keith and I talked about. “I think we’re okay.”
Her lips part slightly. Her expression softens, her fingers tightening around mine. “Blake…
I squeeze her hand. “I love you, shortcake. So, so very much.”
She smiles, leaning in. “I love you more.”
I smirk. “Impossible.”
She rolls her eyes playfully, then presses her lips to mine.
The kiss is soft and sweet, tasting like caramel and promises.
And at that moment, with the taste of ice cream on our tongues and the night stretching out before us, I know - this is everything. My heart is settling into the safest place it’s ever known.
Here.
With her.