“Angie,” he says, taking me by the hips and bringing me to him. “I’m sure. It’s not a lot. I want to be there for you and make things easier. Most of all, I want to go crack this dude’s kneecaps with a hockey stick.”

  A tear escapes down my cheek as a distressed laugh leaves my lips. “He isn’t worth it. He’s trash.”

  “I agree, but I don’t want anyone making you sad,” he whispers, kissing my jaw. “Everything is going to be okay. We’ll figure it all out.”

  Between his kindness and all the what-ifs, a sob rips out of me. “But what if I don’t get the job and I gotta go back home or something? It’s all such a mess,” I cry, falling into his chest face-first.

  He slides his hands through my hair, tangling his fingers in it as he holds me close. “Then we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

  “You’ll dump me, and I’ll be heartbroken. There is no way I’m worth the trouble of a long-distance relationship.”

  His chuckle is low as he rubs the back of my neck. “Angie, you’re spiraling. Baby, go take a shower.”

  He’s right. I am. I realize I haven’t taken my meds, so I sit up, setting my bag on the bed and opening it. I pull out the bottle of my meds that I take twice a day and glance at him. “Do you have water?”

  He reaches for his cup on the nightstand. “It’s Coke.”

  I nod as I take the pill, and when I look at him, he asks, “Is that Xanax or something?”

  I shake my head. “As if your girlfriend wasn’t already a walking disaster, this is me unmedicated. I have bad anxiety as a result of the attempted rape. And like you said, I tend to spiral when I get overwhelmed. I take these twice daily.”

  “Angie, stop.”

  I raise a brow. “Stop?”

  “You act as if I should be appalled by you or disgusted. I’m not. I’m proudly in love with you. All of you. The medicated part included.”

  I squeeze my eyes shut, and he wraps his arms around me. He kisses my nose, my jaw, my cheek before pressing his lips to mine. “I love you. All of you.”

  I swallow hard and whisper, “I love you.”

  “Good. Now, go take a shower, and I’ll get the bed ready for us.”

  I nod as I turn out of his arms, heading toward the bathroom.

  Before I can shut the door, he says, “Angie, you are worth the trouble. I thought I proved that to you tonight,” he says, his eyes burning into mine as I turn. “I thought we were moving forward.”

  “We are,” I promise. “I’m just freaking out.”

  He holds my gaze. “I know, but remember, Angie, no matter what, we’ll figure it out. Together.”

  “Together?”

  “Oh yeah, sugar. Me and you. Against the world.”

  My lips curve as I get lost in his eyes. They’re so full of promise and hope. I don’t know how he can be so positive when I feel as if my world is falling apart. Especially with my dad calling him and me being a walking train wreck of emotions and roommate issues, but there he is.

  My pillar.

  My everything.

  My Owen.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Owen

  * * *

  “She doesn’t even like you!”

  The party in the living room is crazy loud. Why Dart thought it was a good idea to have a little shindig when we have practice in the morning is beyond me. Yeah, it’s an optional skate, but doesn’t he realize how it makes us look if we don’t show up? I plan to show up, but now that I’m on the receiving end of Benji Paxton’s anger, I don’t know if that will still be the case in the morning.

  “Absolutely no disrespect, Benji—”

  “If you think you’re dating my daughter, you’ll call me sir or Mr. Paxton!”

  I grin. This is silly, and Lucy agrees. “Oh Jesus, Benji! Relax! He’s known you almost his whole life!”

  I have, but I also respect him. “My bad. With no disrespect, sir, it seems that Angie does, in fact, like me a lot. We’ve gotten to know each other, we vibe, and she makes me very happy.”

  “Well, no shit. She’s incredible, smart, and gorgeous to boot!” he yells, and I can feel the emotion in his words. “Do you know her past? The shit she’s been through with guys?”

  “Yes, sir,” I answer, cupping my face. “And you know better than I do that I wasn’t raised like that. I would never do that or even think to do that. I want nothing more than to protect her.”

  “Ben, sweetheart, this is Shea and Elli’s kid—”

  “I am aware of who the hell Owen Adler is, Luce, and that’s the issue. He is a showboating, cocky little shit that thinks he is God’s gift to the world. Probably has our daughter kissing his feet at night and rubbing his back!”

  “For the love of God,” Lucy complains. “Are you serious right now?”

  “Can I interject?” I ask, holding back my laughter. “I am all those things, for sure. I’m also a very confident man, which is why I’m so attracted to Angie. She doesn’t take anyone’s shit, especially not mine. We all know—and I include you, Lucy—that it would be a cold day in hell before Angie knowingly did something she didn’t want to.”

  “Exactly,” Lucy scolds. “The shit with that boy, baby… She was drunk and probably high, and yes, it messed our girl up. But she’s coming back. I fully believe Owen has a hand in that.”

  I can’t help but be proud. I know our relationship hasn’t been picture-perfect with every day like how tonight was—minus my mom walking in on us—but it’s been perfect in my heart. “Like I told my mom, I think we’re growing a lot, together, and it’s been awesome.”

  “I don’t want you growing with my daughter!”

  “Benji!”

  “I understand—”

  “Angela is too good for anyone. And no one, and I mean no one, deserves her. And if you have any respect for me, you’ll stay away from her. She doesn’t need the distraction of some boy,” Benji says, his voice low and threatening. “She has goals, and she will get there.”

  “Benji! She’s an adult. She makes her own choices! We are to support them and her.”

  But he isn’t hearing her. “Do you understand, Adler?”

  I clear my throat, keeping myself level. “Yes, sir.”

  “Good—”

  “I understand, and I agree she is absolutely too good for anyone, even me, and I definitely don’t deserve her. She’s a gift. As for staying away, I understand your fears and feel for you, but I will do no such thing. As long as Angie wants me, I’m there.”

  Because I love her something insane.

  I wanted to tell Benji that. Problem was, he wasn’t hearing anything I had to say. I’m the enemy, and I get it. I’ve watched my dad give away his daughters, punch one of the guys because he knocked up his daughter. I understand a father’s love. With Angie and Benji, it’s different. He didn’t get to love her her whole life, and he wants nothing more than to be the father she deserved from the beginning. So, yeah, it’s cool, I’ll be the enemy to him. For now. I’ve been on this playing field before, where I was doubted off the top.

  And I always come out a winner.

  I know for a fact that when he sees us together, he’ll agree we’re good together.

  He’ll have to.

  I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was scared, but I’m confident in Angie’s and my relationship. We’re in love. I lie with Angie in my arms. She sleeps under my chin as I move my fingers through her hair. She smells like my shampoo and conditioner, along with my body wash. Very woodsy, and it’s causing me confusion, but I know she isn’t trying to hear my joke.

  After a solid hour of trying to figure things out even when I told her not to worry about it until tomorrow, she fell asleep. I want so badly to take on her pain and worry and fight it for her, but I know she’s too proud to allow me to. I’m not sure what will happen with London, her jackass of a boyfriend, or Angie’s living situation or job, but like I told her, we’ll figure it out together.

  I’m not entirely sure what will happen when she finds out her dad doesn’t want us together, but I’m sure as hell not telling her that. Not with everything else going on. We’ll battle everything as it comes. First things first, I’ve got to convince this girl to live with me. Because having her in my arms, with her little snore she makes and the feel of her, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep alone again. She tightens her grip on my hand, holding me closer, and I close my eyes, feeling whole.

  I was sure of myself when I said, “As long as Angie wants me, I’m there.” But as a smile moves across her lips and she cuddles deeper into me, I fear if she didn’t want me, I’d still be there.

  Doing everything and anything to convince her to want me.

  I dragged ass at morning skate, but at least I showed up, unlike Dart.

  Not that I would tell him that, or even tell Coach that Dart wasn’t there because he was partying all night with Thatcher and a few of the other guys. Not me, though. I was tucked into bed with my girl. I left before she got up, and when I got back, she had already left for school. She had two classes this morning and then an afternoon shift at the compound since the office shuts down at four today. First, though, we’re gonna meet for lunch.

  I wait outside the restaurant for her in my truck since she’s running late. She had to talk to her professor about a paper. She says she’s okay, but of course I’m worried for her. I hate that all of this is weighing her down. I want to make it better, but I don’t know how, other than to be supportive and be there for her. I have half a mind to go take out the boyfriend, but she asked me not to.

  Unfortunately.

  Instead of going in and filling up on chips and salsa, I decide to play on my phone. I don’t Instagram much—really, only to post my accomplishments and to watch my siblings and friends. But I somehow find myself on the app instead of playing a game. It looks like Posey and Shelli posted together because Posey has posted a picture of her son Zac holding Shelli’s growing belly with the caption “Future BFFs.” And then Shelli has posted the same picture with a different filter and the caption, “My favorite with my favorite.”

  How stinkin’ adorable.

  I comment on both of them with the hashtag #ProudUncle

  I can’t wait to meet my new nephew because I love my current nephew as if he’s mine. I wonder if Angie wants kids? I do. A lot. I want a huge family since mine was so much fun growing up. Angie comes from a big family too. Between her uncles and their kids and then her siblings, I know she could handle a big family. She’d be a great mom too. I know that from watching her with her plants.

  Wow, getting ahead of ourselves, are we?

  I scoff and find myself posting my own life update. I could have used any picture of Angie and me from last night, but I wanted to go in a different direction. It takes me a few minutes, but it’s okay since I’m waiting for her. I want to choose the right words, knowing both our families will see this, and when I hit post, I’m proud of the status. I’m proud of the girl who’s mine. I’m about to text Angie and get a time update, but then my dad calls.

  Here we go, round two, I think as I answer, “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

  “Nothing much. What are you off doing?”

  “Waiting for Angie to meet me for lunch.”

  “Awesome. You got a second?”

  “For you, always,” I answer, leaning back in the seat. “Calling to yell at me?”

  Dad laughs. “I don’t have anything to yell at you for,” he says, and I nod. “I’m actually calling to tell you how proud I am of you for holding your composure when you were talking to Benji.”

  “He call and tell you that?”

  “No, Lucy did. She was highly impressed and said she thought you would lose it at any moment, but you were very level-headed. Very different from the boy she knew who got into fights on the ice at every turn.”

  I make a face. “In my defense, I was fighting for Evan.”

  “I know,” he agrees. “But nonetheless, she was very complimentary about you.”

  “No surprise. I’m a charming dude, even when I’m being yelled at,” I laugh, and he laughs along with me. “Truthfully, I get it. He loves his daughter.”

  “Absolutely. But you deserve respect too, Owen, which is what I told them.”

  “I appreciate that, Dad,” I answer, my heart swelling. “But I’m not too worried about it. Angie has a lot going on right now. I don’t want to add her dad’s craziness to it.”

  “Everything okay?”

  I explain what happened and how she’s trying to figure things out.

  “Have you approached this guy yet? What kind of man picks on women?”

  My fists clench. “Not yet because Angie is hell-bent on keeping me away. I haven’t even seen the dude yet, but she’s worried her roommate, who is her boss, will make it so she doesn’t get the job when she’s done with school. So, without asking me not to, she’s keeping me away.”

  “I would have already found out where he works and gone to confront him there.”

  “I think he’s a college student.”

  “Hm. I’m sure you can find him.”

  I snort. “Pretty sure Mom would disagree with you.”

  “Oh, for sure. But still, I would do the same for any of you.”

  “Not if it meant losing our jobs or something.”

  “Eh, maybe,” he says. Though, I do feel he would ruin someone for us, no matter what. I have that same desire, and the only thing holding me back is Angie. Her job is extremely important to her, and she has worked so hard for it. I don’t want to ruin that for her.

  “But because she feels they need some space since London is a bitch and isn’t listening to her but they still have to work together, she wants to find somewhere else to live. But she can’t really afford much since she’s interning and not getting paid. She’s relying just on her scholarship money. God forbid I try to pay for her. She’d lose it.”

  He laughs. “Independent, I see?”

  “So independent.”

  “Are Lucy and Benji broke? Pretty sure Lucy just scored decorating Aiden and Shelli’s nursery, and she’s not cheap.”

  I snort. “Angie wants to do it on her own,” I say, instead of going into details. “Which is why I offered my place.” I’m met with silence. “Dad, come on. You lived with Mom before you two were married, and we all know I’ve been having sex for a while.”

  “I could have lived many lifetimes without ever hearing that comment,” he teases, and I laugh. “But yes, all that is true. But you’ve never lived with a girl before. Much less a girlfriend.”

  “No, but it’s fine. I like Angie, we—”

  “Vibe? Yes, I’ve heard this sentiment,” Dad teases more, and man, I miss him. “But my point is, you’re young, you’re living with friends, and you’re a rookie. Enjoy life. Don’t tie yourself down.”

  I pause, making a face. “Funny you say that when both your daughters were married and pregnant in their early twenties.”

  “They’re girls.”

  “So?” I ask, my face twisting even more. “I don’t think that’s fair. So, you’re saying because I’m a man, I need to sow my wild oats?”

  He laughs. “I mean, yeah. Don’t tie yourself down. Girls love love and being in a relationship—”

  “And I do too,” I admit, cutting him off. “You do realize this is your fault.”

  Dad scoffs. “Me? What the hell did I do?”

  “Dad, for real?” I ask, almost shocked he doesn’t know. “I watched you be in love with Mom, married, and just plain happy. It wasn’t like my friends’ parents’ marriages. Y’all’s marriage is like watching a romantic comedy twenty-four seven.”

  “Owen, come on. We have our issues.”

  “Yes. But together, you two always prevail,” I remind him. “You made me believe at a young age that I needed my other half to face life. I’ve always believed I couldn’t be truly happy until I met the person I would spend my life with.”

  “Son, that’s crazy. I didn’t find your mom until later. So, you’re right, we’ve had a great marriage and I love her more than life itself, but I lived my life as a bachelor, and I was happy too. It’s a different kind of happy, but still happy.”

  “Yes, but I think we kids are different.”

  “How so?”

  “We all want what you two have. And all of us grew up a little sooner than others. We were exposed to a lot, with Shelli in New York for her Broadway career, Posey doing Posey things, Evan and me traveling for hockey, and Quinn a genius. We’re different from other people, I believe. We weren’t coddled or babied. We were held to an Adler standard, and in my opinion, we are all pretty damn impressive. Even with Evan’s mental illness.”

  Like me, my dad’s protectiveness rings in his voice. “Evan’s mental illness isn’t an even or a note by his name. The great Robin Lehner said, I’m mentally ill, not mentally weak. And if that doesn’t define your brother, I don’t know what does.”

  “Exactly, Dad. We’re a different breed. So, no, I won’t go sow my oats. I’m gonna chase my happiness, and that path leads to Angela Paxton.”

  At that moment, I see her pull into a spot two in front of me. She gets out of the car in some nice fitted jeans and a flowy green tank. Her hair is up in a no-nonsense bun, and her glasses are blue. I haven’t seen her in anything but scrubs, sweats, or that dress, so it’s easy to say I’m speechless.

  Damn, she looks good.

  My dad clears his throat. “I don’t know when you grew up, but I don’t like it.”

  I grin as I shut off the car. “Sorry. You told me I had to.”

  “I did,” he says as I throw the door open and get out. “I’m proud, Owen. Really.”

  I smile widely, feeling all important and shit. My parents love hard, always have been that way. One would think I would be sick of being told I’m loved and that they’re proud of me, but each time is like the first. They’re special people, and I want a love like theirs.

  That love, in my opinion, leads to Angie Paxton.