I Want You Back (Want You #1)(34)

I glanced at the card. “You too, Margene.”



* * *



? ? ?

I didn’t say a word after I got in the car.

I didn’t say anything for three solid minutes before Mimi piped up. “You’re mad, huh?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“I really, really, really, really want to play hockey, Daddy. Please.”

I held up my hand. “I would’ve been happy to discuss this with you. But you . . .” I inhaled and exhaled. I would not be the bad guy in this scenario. “Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong with how I discovered your interest in playing hockey.” If she was old enough to use that kind of manipulation, she was old enough to understand why it was wrong, explain why she did it and take responsibility.

When Mimi remained mum several minutes later, my gaze flicked to the rearview mirror. Her brow was furrowed, but I didn’t see that stubborn, mean set to her little chin.

Next to me, Nolan murmured, “You sure this is the best way to handle this, bro?”

“When you have a kid, feel free to do it differently,” I said through clenched teeth.

“I’m sorry,” Mimi finally said.

“And?”

“And I shoulda told you that I wanted hockey skates so I could play hockey, not because I was going to a birthday party.”

I nodded. “Keep going.”

“And I shouldn’t have told that lady to go over and talk to you about putting me in hockey classes. Because I shoulda asked you first if we could talk about it.”

I sent Nolan a smug look. See? I can do this parenting stuff.

“But, Daddy, even if you say yes, Mommy will say no and that’s not fair! Maybe I could be a really, really good player like you and win championships and stuff, like you did! How will I know if I could be the best if I don’t even get to try because you and Mommy will fight about it like you fight about everything else!”

And my pat on the back felt like a punch in the gut.

I hated that Mimi was aware that her mother and I sometimes had words. I really hated that Mimi tried to use it to her advantage now. Lucy and I had agreed to provide a united front. She was the one I needed to talk to, not a precocious eight-year-old with an agenda. “Your mom and I will talk about it.”

“You mean yell about it,” she said sullenly.

“Hey. And no back talk,” I said sharply.

“I wanna go home.”

“That’s where we’re headed.”

“No, I wanna go home to Mommy.”

“Jesus, when did this start?” Nolan said under his breath.

“Well, that’s too bad, sweets, because you’re stuck with me until tomorrow. But I’m pretty sure Calder is around if you wanna play until dinnertime.”

She didn’t respond, and the remainder of the drive to Snow Village was strangely silent.

I expected Nolan to take off, but he seemed content to settle into the couch with a soda while college football games droned in the background.

“I have to tell you something,” he finally said.

I groaned. “I’m not gonna like this, am I?”

“It’s not bad. I thought it was kind of sweet.”

“What?”

“About the last year or so that you lived in Chicago, whenever Mimi was around me, she asked a million questions about hockey. She always wanted to watch your games—even ones from years back before she was born. She thought it was the coolest sport ever, and she begged me to take her skating and to kids’ hockey games around here. The girl was obsessed.”

“Did you tell Lucy?”

He sent me an “Are you kidding me?” look.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I honestly thought it was a phase. A daddy-worship thing. She wished you were here, she wanted to be closer to you so she used her interest in hockey as a coping mechanism . . . blah, blah, blah.”

“So you weren’t surprised by her sneaky-ass actions today.”

“Yes, I was surprised by the way she went about bringing it to your attention. But given the way Lucy would react if Mimi had asked her to enroll her in hockey? I’m not surprised that she had to figure out another way to get someone to take her seriously.” He slurped his soda. “I’m just saying that her interest in the game is genuine. And it’s not new. It’s what she wants, Jax. How can you deny her the opportunity?” He smirked. “Especially now that she’s got top-of-the-line hockey gear.”

“Bite me.”

“Pass. But you can’t ignore this. Mimi will bring it up with Lucy, and then you’ll take the brunt of the blame for keeping something from her.”

“Add it to the other shit I’ve been dragging my feet on talking to her about.”

“Do I even want to know what the hell that cryptic statement is supposed to refer to?”

“No. But it’s time you knew anyway.” I felt relieved to get my impending change of address off my chest. I figured telling my brother would be a good practice run for when I finally told Lucy.

Nolan took it in stride. “Your move makes sense, but dammit, Jax. Why have you kept this such a big secret?”

“Are you pouting because I didn’t ask you for remodel and decorating advice?” I shot back.