Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

TIMOTHY

Thanksgiving Day

Daddy’s been keeping secrets.

I don’t know what they are, only that he’s not telling me everything. He’s been shifty for a couple of weeks now. Ever since Halloween really.

Part of me is terrified he’s trying to find a way to let me down easy. Maybe he wants to be done with this thing we have, and he's worried I’ll be devastated when he breaks up with me.

Granted, I will be.

There’s no doubt about it.

But also, I want to be strong. I want to show him I can take whatever he throws my way.

It could also be nothing. My paranoia knows no bounds sometimes.

Thankfully, the season has been enough of a distraction to keep my mind off the impending doom it seems to cultivate. The Bears are on a winning streak right now. I’m not one to jinx us; however, even I’m looking at the idea of the playoffs as an inevitability.

Luke’s coaching style bolsters the men in a way the previous coach couldn’t. He’s so different from others in the league. The fact that he understands what the players are going through helps, but it’s more than that.

He’s genuinely a good person through and through. His heart is with the game, making it easy for him to adjust because he wants everyone at their best.

When Heath, one of the forwards, got food poisoning the night before a game, Luke told him to stay home despite him feeling better the next day. He encouraged him to not rush back onto the ice too soon. We still won our game, and Heath came back better than ever the next time he played.

It’s been little situations like this that have changed the dynamics of the Bellport Bears completely. The players smile more. The staff jokes with each other. There are special events so everyone can bond.

Sure, some of it is Jake. I know he loves having a reason for everyone to hang out.

But I also know Luke and his desire to make this group a family. He’s confided in me more than once that he doesn’t want to trade anyone if he can help it. He’d like to bring in a few new guys if someone decides to retire and then keep the rest.

I love that about him.

His complete dedication to the people he’s chosen as his found family. It’s admirable. It’s honest.

On top of that, he and I have been working on figuring out how and when my Little side comes out. We’ve shared a couple of playdates around the busy season. Each time is more magical than the one before it.

When he’s Luke, he’s coach. I know he’ll lead our team to the win, or he’ll get us really damn close.

When he’s Daddy, it’s different. He’s still that same passionate man that leads a team of players on the ice, but he’s also much more.

More gentle. More focused. More understanding.

Just more.

Speaking of Daddy, I can’t wait to see him tonight. He’s coming to the gala for the Bellport Foundation as part of their holiday fundraising. Having just seen him at Thanksgiving, you’d think I would've had my fill. Normally I would, but the team took off on a series of games that kept us apart.

Thank goodness for video calls.

“Bestie! What type of candles was it? I think this is wrong,” Jake hollers from across the ballroom. The sound echoes, drawing most everyone’s eyes. Thankfully, they are pretty used to it. We’ve been at this for hours, and Jake has yelled like this no less than six times.

I sign off on the chair delivery, then head over to him. “What’s the issue?”

He holds up two very different candles. One is short and stubby. The other thin and tall.

“Something tells me this isn’t right. Should we have two different sizes like this? Are some people special and others not? Make it make sense, T-man.”

My response is an immediate eye roll. Taking the candles from him, I place them back in the box.

“The short ones are for the tables to prevent any accidental fires,” I explain.

“And the others?”

“For the chandeliers.” Pointing above us, I remind him of the antique lighting elements we have in place. Each of them requires a ridiculous number of candles to produce enough light for this area. While I’ve wondered more than once why they don’t simply add in electrical wiring for the lights, I’m not going to deny the effect the candles have is magical.

“Ah, shoot. I always forget about those. It’s far too Jane Austen for my tastes, but I get why my parents haven’t changed anything.”

I nod, though I don’t know the exact reasons. My best guess is that there’s some type of historical significance to it. The building is technically a landmark in the town already. Gutting it to run electrical lighting might not go well with the history buffs Bellport houses.

“No worries. Anything else before I check on the other stuff? We don’t have too long before things get started.”

Jakes shakes his head. “Nope. Less work, remember?”

He reminds me for the millionth time that I need to take it easier than before. After our discussion about my workload, Jake has kept his word to give me less. He was quick to hire a new assistant coach to help Luke where needed. On top of that, he restructured some of the other hockey related tasks to others within the organization.

While I like not having so much to do, it also means seeing Daddy less. Now I have to wait until the end of the day to get hugs and kisses rather than sneaking off down the hall.

Granted, Jake wouldn’t mind taking a detour to the arena for hugs and kisses these days. His men keep him more than a little loved up from what I’ve been able to glean of their interactions.

Though considering we want the team to keep winning, it might be best we don’t interrupt practices just for cuddles.

Darn.

“I understand. Let’s get back to work,” I tell Jake.

He salutes me, then calls over the temporary workers he brought in for this event. They’re a bunch of college age kids who hang on Jake’s every word. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s a Bellport or simply due to his larger-than-life personality.

As I head to check in with Mama Bellport — which she insists I call her now — I hear a squeal behind me. Turning back, I see Jake sandwiched between Maddox and Leon. They’re all hugging one another like it’s been years since they’ve seen each other.

It hits me then that Jake is especially qualified to know what I’m going through with Daddy being out on the road. He’s got two partners to miss while the Bears are away.

Maybe I should embrace this bestie business he’s always going on about.

Arms wrap around me from behind, startling me from my thoughts. “Hey, honeybee,” a deep voice drawls.

I sigh as I sink into Daddy’s hold. With a whisper, I reply, “Daddy.”

He spins me around, then tugs me to his chest. I nuzzle against him, uncaring who all is around. It doesn’t matter anyway. All these people signed NDAs when they agreed to work here. And given the power the Bellport name has, none of them are willing to risk being on the wrong side of them.

After a minute of soaking up his touch, I lean back. “I thought y’all weren’t getting in until later this evening?”

“Change of plans. Me and the guys were able to convince the pilot to leave a bit earlier. The rest of the team didn’t like the early wake up call, but considering I gave them the next two days off from practice, they’re content with it.”

I gape at him. “You bribed them?!”

“Of course, honeybee. Anything to get back to you faster. It’s been hell not getting to hold you. Plus, those two goons were grumpy as hell over missing Jake.” He nods towards the trio who are still hugging.

“Makes sense. Jake has been a bit off this time too. More outrageous than usual.” I think about all the obvious distractions he’s tried to do since the team left and laugh under my breath. Daddy chuckles too, probably because his imagination was close enough to the real thing, and he knows it.

“Bestie!” Jakes screams, pulling my attention.

When I turn, I find him already jogging my way, his two men behind him with grins on their faces. What a power throuple they are.

“Yes?”

He waves his hands around the room. “We’re going to delegate some stuff, then hightail it out of here. We all need to get ready for the gala tonight since the guys are back. And personally, it might take me a bit longer.”

The way he looks over his shoulder tells me he’s making faces at his men even though I can’t see his expression. Leon and Maddox’s heated reactions give it away.

“Are you sure? There’s still a lot to do and —“

“I’m sure I can handle it,” comes the familiar voice of Mama Bellport. She steps up to our group looking fabulous as ever.

“Mama,” Jake greets. He hugs her, then immediately shifts back to his men.

“Hello, Jakey. I’m here to take care of things while you all go reconnect and whatnot. No need to worry, Timothy. I promise I know what I’m doing.” Her teasing smile makes me blush.

“Yes, ma’am. I appreciate your help.”

She waves the compliment away. “It’s nothing. I’m well versed in all of this. Plus, I think it’s good for you boys to get a break before tonight. We’re sold out of seats. A packed house means lots of rubbing elbows and small talk.”

Jake cheers at the announcement. “You know I love a good crowd. Especially ones with deep pockets who want to show off their ‘giving’ natures.”

We all laugh. It’s obvious he’s talking about some of the more affluent people who get into bidding wars over who can donate more. It’s the strangest damn thing, but it happens every year. The foundation appreciates their competitive drive no matter how it happens.

“Exactly. Now, you three run along. I’d like to chat with Timothy and Luke for a moment alone.”

The other men run off without a look back. No one dares to go against the matriarch of the Bellport family when she makes a declaration so profound.

“How can we help you, Mrs. Bellport?” Daddy asks once we’re alone.

“It’s Mama Bellport to you, Luke. No need for the formal when you’re family.”

I feel the way he tenses behind me for a fraction of a second before responding, “Yes, ma’am.”

“While I know it’s cutting it a bit close, I wanted to invite you boys to spend Christmas with us at the house this year. If my information is correct, neither of you have families you’d be spending time with, correct?”

Sadness sweeps through me when I think of another year without Grandpa. I push it down, then force myself to nod. I feel Daddy mimic the movement.

“Yes, well, that doesn’t quite sit right with me. I’d love to have you come over. We typically do dinner one Christmas Eve and then swap presents the next morning. You’re welcome to both if you’d like, though I understand if it's too much.”

Daddy is quick to reply. “It’s not. Let me discuss it with Timothy, then we’ll let you know. The dinner is a definite yes, though. I’m not going to pass up a family feast.”

She smiles brightly at that. “Excellent. We’ll work out the details later. Enjoy your afternoon. I’ll see you both tonight.”

The second she steps away, Daddy tugs me out of the ballroom and out of the building. I don’t have time to speak or think with how quickly he’s moving us. He’s one step under caveman at this rate.

It’s not until we’re in his truck that he turns to face me. “I need to get you home,” he pants out.

That’s when I see it.

The need.

Daddy wants me, and he can’t have me in such an open space. I place my hand over his where it sits on his thigh and say, “Take me home, Daddy.”

He nearly leaves skid marks on the concrete for how fast he pulls out.