The Parent Playbook (Love on Thin Ice)

25. Angel

CHAPTER 25

ANGEL

T he rink is a riot, everyone’s on their feet, screaming for Dan #29, the golden boy who clinched the game. As the crowd’s fervor pitches higher, my heart races for different reasons. Not because the Ice Breakers won, and not because this means the dream of Happy Horizons is coming to be—though I’m going to faint over that later.

Even with everything happening around us, I feel like we’re in a bubble.

Scotty’s on the ice, swarmed by his team, their hands clapping his back, hugs as they ruffle his hair, their shouts echoing around us, but his eyes are locked on mine.

I’m cheering too, hands in the air, acting every bit the thrilled spectator. But inside? Inside, I’m a mess of knots because Scotty is looking at me like I’m the only fan in the stand that matters, and it’s undoing me.

I hate being undone, even more so by a man I can’t have. That kiss might have been intended to inspire him to do great things on the ice, but every ounce of it was true for me. Sure, he’s leaving. But maybe this doesn’t have to end before it begins.

“Scotty’s back!” someone near me shouts, and yeah, Scotty MacFarland is definitely back .

“Way to save the day, MacFarland!” someone else yells.

The din of the crowd is like a backdrop to a movie scene as Scotty skates through the throngs of people to reach where I’m standing against the boards. His approach sets off something wild inside me; my pulse races, like I’m the protagonist in some epic sports movie, but instead of dodging opponents on the ice, I’m navigating a crush that’s spiraling way out of control.

“I told you so,” I say as he stops in front of me. Inside, I’m cursing myself for sounding so cheeky when I’m actually a mess of nerves.

Scotty just laughs. “Guess I owe you a pizza, huh? With all the toppings of wisdom you serve,” he shoots back, the silly grin on his face making him even more endearing.

I could swear that the noise around us dims. We’re locked in a gaze that feels as intense as a thunderstorm about to break.

“About that kiss …” he says as he steps closer, so close I see his blue eyes shine in the arena light. My breath catches, heart hammering against my ribs like it wants out. This is it, the truth is going to come out. We’re either going to give something a try, or we’re going to forget anything between us nearly happened.

Just as our lips are a breath apart, Scotty’s head jerks back, his eyes widening and a smile breaking out.

“Lily!” he exclaims, almost leaping back from me. I almost stumble from the abrupt break, heat crawling up my neck.

I whirl around, my heart still doing somersaults, to see Lily and Andy bounding toward us, their faces flushed with excitement and the cold. The moment shatters, leaving me grappling with the sudden shift from near-kiss to parental mode in a heartbeat.

The kids barrel into our little bubble with total disregard. Leave it to the kids to break up what was almost the most romantic moment of my life.

With a man who is leaving. The kids did me a favor.

Andy’s practically vibrating with excitement, his words tumbling out in a torrent that’s almost hard to follow. “That was so epic, like seriously, the best game ever! It’s got to be a sign, right? You have to stay in Maple Falls now, there’s no way you can leave after that, it’s like the universe is telling us?—”

“Chill, Motormouth,” Lily interrupts, her eyes rolling in an exaggerated manner only a preteen can perfect. She gives him a playful shove, then turns her sharp gaze on us. “Weren’t you two about to kiss or something?”

Oh, sheesh.

Scotty and I exchange a panicked glance before our denial game kicks in.

“Kiss? What? No, we were just … uh, talking about the game, right, Angel?” Scotty stammers.

“Yeah, exactly,” I add too quickly, “talking. You know, about the game. Very close talking because it’s so loud in here.”

But Lily isn’t having any of it.

“Sure, keep telling yourselves that,” she teases, grabbing Andy’s arm. “Come on, let’s give them some space. They can finish their talk and then we can talk about staying in Maple Falls.”

Scotty’s hand shoots out, gripping Lily’s shoulder gently but firmly, halting her retreat. He uses that “dad voice”—the one that means business. “Hold up, both of you. There’s going to be no kissing, and no, we’re not staying in Maple Falls,” he declares, and I feel my heart sink with his words. Any shred of hope left in me has entirely disappeared.

“But why ?” Lily’s voice cracks, her eyes brimming with tears that threaten to spill. “Why can’t we stay ?”

Scotty looks down at her, his face full of resolve and regret. “Lily, I’ve seen how tough it’s been for you here. We need to go back to Colorado. Back to what’s familiar. Back home.”

Lily shakes her head, her tears now streaking down her cheeks. “Home is wherever you are, Dad. I get that now.”

Scotty looks like he just took a love arrow to the heart. His eyes well, and mine do too. Those are words every parent wants to hear. A single tear rolls down Scotty’s cheek, but he doesn’t say anything.

“Listen, Dad,” Lily continues, her voice firming up, “it wasn’t easy at first, but nothing is, right? You’ve taught me that again and again. I’m starting to make real friends here, like Andy.” She throws a glance at Andy, who nods vigorously in agreement. “And there’s no one in Colorado who has helped me like Angel has.”

Scotty looks from Lily to me, his eyes widening as he processes her words. He asks her again, slower this time, “You really want to stay?”

“Yeah, Dad. I do.” She nods. “Plus, Andy taught me that pizza with pineapple actually tastes not horrible. And Dad …” Lily’s face is earnest, her voice soft as she reaches up to touch Scotty’s arm. “Everyone can see you and Angel were made for each other.”

Now I find my voice. “ Excuse me ?”

Scotty has a bemused half-smile as he raises his eyes to meet mine and melt all over again. He’s hearing this too, and he isn’t protesting, not even a little.

“Seriously, Mom.” Andy rolls his eyes. “It’s so obvious.”

Lily throws her hands in the air. “Even the blind refs could see that coming!”

“Ha!” Scotty shakes his head as his smile widens even more. “I don’t know what to say to that, except that if staying in Maple Falls is what you want, then we can give it another try.”

“Yeah!” Andy lifts his arms in a V for victory and I muss his hair. He pushes away my hand and looks me sternly in the eye. “Now, about the two of you …”

“Andy,” I warn, but Lily steps in front of us and nods her head vigorously.

“We’ve been trying to get you two to see it, but you adults are awfully stubborn.”

“We’ve tried everything!” Andy throws his hands up. “We practically wrote the book on how to get your parents to realize they love each other. Why is it taking so long for you to see it?”

“What?” Scotty tilts his head. “How?”

“Morse code!” Andy declares, and it’s all coming clear to me now.

Lily sighs. “Setting up the conversation with Angel about woman stuff.”

“Maple Fest photos.” Andy points a finger in the air.

“Movie night,” Lily adds.

“That was a good one.” Andy nods at Lily.

“You two …” I start, but have no idea how to finish.

Lily wags a finger at Scotty. “Don’t you get it? This was meant to be. So, now that we’ve decided we’re staying, will you stop being silly and give the woman a real kiss ?”

I’m caught somewhere between laughter and tears, the joy bubbling up so fiercely it’s almost overwhelming. I look at Scotty, who’s already gazing at me, tenderness in his eyes like the floodgates have opened and the only thing left is to admit the truth.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Guess we’re the last to know, huh?”

“Guess we’ve got some smart kids,” I manage to say.

“KISS!” Andy and Lily shout in unison.

Their voices carry, turning heads, but I don’t care.

Scotty steps closer, his hands finding my waist. In one smooth motion, he lifts me from the stands, his hockey gear pressing into my sides, but I barely notice. His lips meet mine in a kiss that feels like it’s been years in the making. A siren wails somewhere in the distance, a spotlight sweeps over us briefly. The kids’ cheers blend with those of the crowd around us, but I’m lost in this kiss, the world narrowing down to the man whose arms are securely around me.

There, with his lips pressed against mine and the cheers of our own personal fan club ringing in my ears, it’s obvious .

Sometimes the fairy tale ending is less fluffy dress and more hockey pads, sweat, and two precocious preteens.

And it turns out I don’t mind one bit.