Shot at Love: Renegades 8 (The Renegades Hockey Series)

by Melody Heck Gatto

  “I’m not sure that’s necessary.” Her mom already knew how she felt about Luc, and had agreed that Kaden needed to stop his silliness and take a big step back.

  Luc shook his head in disagreement. “Doesn’t matter. It’s my duty as your boyfriend to charm your mom and express my intentions.”

  “Your intentions? That sounds old fashioned.” She imagined an old television show where her date would have to pass her dad’s test before the boy could take her out for the evening. But this was reality. Her dad was no longer here, and she was all grown up.

  “Trust me, sweets.”

  “I do.”

  “Good.” Luc left the money on the table with the check. “You ready for the next stop, then?”

  “Oh, you mean, cupcakes?” Kassie nodded to the cupcake shop across the street.

  “As a matter of a fact, yes. I thought I’d bring some dessert with me to dinner. No one can resist cupcakes. I just need to grab something out of my car.” Luc pulled her towards his car, and grabbed something out of the backseat.

  “Wait.” She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. Her brain must be working slowly this morning, because she had only just registered what he said. “Did you call yourself my boyfriend?”

  Luc nodded with a smile. “Yeah. I know we’ve never discussed labels, and I know we haven’t been doing this long.” Luc reached into his backseat and pulled out a Renegades sweatshirt. It had his number by the shoulder and his name down the sleeve.

  Kassie looked at him, confused and delighted. “That’s yours.”

  “No, sweets. Now it’s yours. It’s my team sweatshirt, and I want you to have it. This is just a small token. I swear I’ll prove to you that you are my one and only, and that I don’t care about the puck bunnies, or fangirls, or whatever you want to call them. The only person I care about is you. And I’ll tell anyone who will listen that you’re my girlfriend. Do you like the sound of that?”

  “Absolutely.” The sound of the word warmed her chest and made her heart skip a beat. The team sweatshirt was just the icing on the cake. Kassie wanted Luc to brand her as his—and he was doing just that.

  Kassie unlocked the door to her apartment. Luc followed close behind her, carrying the dozen cupcakes he was planning to take to her mom’s house for dessert. “Sweets, can I set these in the kitchen?”

  “Sure. I think there’s still some beer in the fridge too, if you want,” she called after him, before kicking off her boots and hanging up her scarf beside the door.

  “Beer? This early?” Luc popped out of the kitchen, stopping her on her way to the living room.

  She shrugged with a smirk. “I don’t know how early you drink.”

  “Not this early,” Luc said with a laugh. “I’ll settle for water. Do you want one?” Luc went back to the kitchen, making himself at home.

  “Do you want to watch a movie? I can find something on Netflix,” Kassie called as she got comfortable on the couch. “We have a few hours before we need to be at my mom’s.”

  Luc sat their waters down on the table, then snuggled in beside her on the couch. “Sure. Whatever you like. It’s been a long two days.”

  “Yeah.” She curled up next to him, snuggling in under his arm. Lying here with him beat anything else she could be doing. She turned on some rom-com movie, then laid her head on his chest. She could hear the thud of his heartbeat.

  This felt natural, and one hundred percent right. She’d almost thrown this all away.

  Luc pulled her close. She tried to concentrate on the movie, but all she could focus on was his heartbeat. Then his lips by her ear, whispering. “I hated being away from you, not being able to talk about what happened, not being able to hold you. I would’ve done anything to make it all okay for you.”

  “I know. It was my own fault.”

  “Sweets, it doesn’t matter now. I’m here where I belong, holding you.” He tightened his arms around her and nuzzled his chin against her head. “Kassie, I… I just—I’m just glad to be home.”

  Was he going to say it? The L-word was front and center in her mind, so it was possible she imagined that he wanted to say it. Lying here with him, she wanted to tell him. She wanted to say it, but instead, she said, “I’m glad you’re home, too.”

  I love you. It would be so easy to say, so why couldn’t she say it?

  “You realize what dinner tonight means, don’t you?”

  “No, what?”

  “I’ll not only be meeting your mom, but our parents will be meeting as well.” He tilted her chin up towards his. “Sweets, you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.” Then his warm lips brushed against hers, erasing any concerns or fears that teased at her heart.

  Luc and his dad arrived at her mom’s shortly after Kassie did. Kaden hadn’t said two words to her yet since she arrived. He even chose to go change Kaleb over sitting in the living room and talking to them. But once they all sat down to dinner, he had no choice. And that was exactly their mother’s plan.

  “Luc, I am so glad that you and your father were able to join us tonight for dinner,” Kassie’s mom said, as she sat down at the table. “Mr. Marcella, I trust that you’ve been enjoying the time with the other fathers and the team?”

  Kassie’s heart ached a little as her mom asked about the team dads. Her dad should be part of this gathering. He should be there shouting and cheering. He should be here, period.

  “Please, call me Joe. And, yes, it’s been great being able to spend some time with my son and the team.” Luc’s dad clamped a hand on Luc’s shoulder. “I’m sure I’ll soon start to cramp his style though.”

  “Nonsense, Dad.” Luc smiled and shook his head. “I’ve been trying to get him to stick around for a while. He’s retired, so it’s not like he has anything pressing back home that needs his attention. He can stay here and enjoy more Renegades hockey.”

  “Ah, you won’t want dear old dad hanging around for too long,” his father said with a chuckle.

  “Joe, you are from Detroit?” Kassie’s mom asked.

  Joe finished his mouthful of food before answering. “Detroit, yes. That’s where Luc was born and raised.”

  “Raising them is the hardest part,” Kassie’s mom said with a smile.

  When it was time for dinner, they filed into the dining room. Their mom sat at the head of the table, with Luc’s dad taking the seat other end. Unfortunately, Kaden ended up directly across from Kassie, which made his glare hard to ignore.

  Even when not looking at him, she could sense it. It made the hair on the back of her neck tingle.

  “It was really nice of you to invite us over, Mrs. O’Conner,” Luc said, sliding his arm along the back of Kassie’s chair.

  “It was my pleasure. Kassie doesn’t date much, not since we got to Pittsburgh, so this was the least I could do. Plus, it’s nice having a big family dinner.”

  Kaden grumbled under his breath, but they all heard it.

  “Kaden, enough out of you. Anyway, Luc, I figured it was time that I met the young man who occupies so much of my daughter’s time. I’ve heard so much about you already.” Kassie’s mom grinned sweetly.

  “Oh boy, all good I hope,” Luc said, joking, but with Kaden at the table, maybe he wasn’t.

  “All I know is that you make my Kassie happy, you treat her well, and you make her smile. That’s all a mother really needs to know, because that’s what’s important.”

  Her mother’s words were kind and true. But what bothered Kassie was Kaden. He hadn’t said a nice word to Luc all night. Tired of the nonsense, she kicked her brother under the table. It was like they were kids again, fighting while trying to not get in trouble. Their dad used to be the one they tried to hide it from. His bark was worse than his bite, but still, neither of them wanted to be yelled at by him.

  Kassie’s mom grabbed both of their arms, glared at them both, and then smiled at her guests. “Yep. These two are my angels. Kaden moved us here so we could be closer to him an
d his family. And Kassie, she lived with me for a while, helping me get back on my feet. But like Joe said, she’s young, and I don’t need to be cramping her style. Especially now that she has a special young man in her life.”

  Kaden’s groan was probably meant to be quieter, but instead, the whole table heard it. Ali rolled her eyes and slapped him on the arm.

  “I know there is some tension between you boys since you play on the same team,” Kassie’s mom continued.

  Kaden glared at Luc. “Mom, we aren’t on a local ball hockey team. This is the professional hockey league, and this should be a non-issue. Meaning, he should know better.”

  “If I can say something,” Luc started. “Mrs. O’Conner, I’m a good guy. I know what the code says, and I know how your son feels. I’m sure he’s told you that there are stories about me. I know he’s tried to convince anyone who will listen. But that was when I was young and stupid. Isn’t everyone at one time? I’m sure there are plenty of stories out there about various Renegades players. But like most of them, I’m not that person anymore. Judge me for what I did back then, but get to know the man I am now.” Luc paused for a moment, as if he was thinking of what to say next. Then he added, “Can you please pass the mashed potatoes?”

  “Well, Luc, I do agree with you,” Kassie’s mom said. “Everyone does things in their lives that they might regret later. We can’t change our pasts, we can only choose to do better in the future.” She smiled, her eyes twinkling as she watched Luc.

  Kassie already knew her mom was on her side, but for her to say it in front of Kaden was a surprise. Looked like Luc’s charm worked on all O’Conner women.

  Kaden slid his chair away from the table, the familiar look of annoyance on his face. He deadpanned toward the baby. “Kaleb needs to be changed.”

  But before he could pick him up, Kassie’s mom chimed in. “Ali, dear, since you’re done eating, can you please grab Kaleb? Kassie, can you help me with the coffee? Mr. Mar—I mean, Joe, we have dessert in the kitchen that your thoughtful son brought. Would you mind helping me grab it?” Her mom hurried them all out of the dining room, leaving the boys alone.

  “Mom,” Kassie said, once they were in the kitchen, standing around. “What do you expect them to accomplish in there? You know as well as I do that Kaden will sit there and not say a word. He’s got Dad’s stubborn side.”

  “I know. But I hope they will try to discuss things, at least a little. Then we can go back in and try to move things along.” She fussed with the coffee maker until a fresh pot was brewing. “And if not, don’t worry. I’ll sit your brother down and make him listen to me. Besides, we all know he’s no expert in affairs of the heart. Just look at how long it took for him to sort things out with Ali.”

  At first there was no sound coming from the dining room, but then she did hear voices. She believed this whole thing might still be able to be cleared up. Or at least getting it out in the open would invite discussion.

  “I know if Kaden would just listen to Luc, I mean really listen, they could work this out. They both want the same thing for me, happiness.” Kassie knew all her thoughts made sense. But when Kaden was in macho-caveman mode, making sense was not something he would consider.

  “That’s the problem, dear. Kaden is having a hard time with someone taking his place in your life. With Luc in your life, you won’t need Kaden to protect you. Luc will do that.”

  “So, he’s just going to throw his weight around and scare away any guy who tries to get close to me?” It seemed like a dumb excuse, but in a ridiculous way it kind of did make sense.

  “Afraid so.” Joe spoke up. “I hope you don’t mind me interjecting.”

  “Not at all, Joe. It’s nice to hear some outside opinions. My son is just so stubborn. Kassie is right about one thing; her brother does have his daddy’s bull-headedness. My son is a good man; he just doesn’t know any better. He can’t see that his little sister is now a beautiful young woman.” She put her arm around Kassie and lovingly pulled her close.

  “Kassie, I do believe the boys will work this out,” Joe said. “It may take some time, but it’ll be okay. Your brother just wants to make sure you won’t get hurt. With your dad gone, I’m sure he takes that responsibility very seriously. Maybe don’t be so hard on him. Us guys, we have hard heads, so sometimes it takes us longer than it should to get us to understand.” Joe’s voice was sincere. “I believe he’ll come around in his own time.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Marcella.”

  “However, don’t expect Luc to back down and wait for your brother to come around. He’s got a stubborn streak in him as well, and when he sees something he wants, he doesn’t stop until he has it,” Joe added with a knowing nod.

  The coffee was done brewing, and Kassie and Joe carried the cupcakes to the dining room. She didn’t know how long the guys had talked, or if they even spoke at all, but they were silent now. Ali followed them back to the dining room.

  “That was a long diaper change,” Kaden commented with irritated sarcasm, as his wife returned to the dining room with baby Kaleb. Ali waved her husband off with a shake of her head. Judging by the smile on her lips and the way she rolled her eyes, Kassie knew she wasn’t letting Kaden’s bratty comment rattle her.

  “Kaden Michael! Mind your manners,” their mom scolded. With that the table grew quiet. “Ali, honey, you do know that you’re allowed to slap him in front of me, right?”

  That comment got a laugh out of everyone but Kaden.

  Joe finished his cupcake and coffee without another comment. Ali and Kassie spoke about generic topics, while Luc kept his arm draped around Kassie’s shoulders. She noticed how Kaden watched them. It looked as if her brother wanted to say something, but never did. After having talked to her mom and Luc’s dad, Kassie wasn’t letting Kaden’s attitude bother her so much. At least not right now.

  The evening wound down, and Luc’s dad appeared to be getting restless and even a bit tired as a yawn crept up on him.

  “Well, Mrs. O’Conner, thank you so much for dinner,” Luc said. “It’s been a really long two days. Dad looks like it’s getting close to his bedtime.” Luc nodded to his tired looking dad.

  “I wish I could say that wasn’t true. But these old bones don’t work as well as they did in my younger years. They tell me when it’s time to call it a night these days.”

  “Please, you’re not that old, Dad.” Luc snickered, then turned his attention to Kassie. “I think we’re going to get going.” Luc kissed Kassie on the cheek before standing up. “Sweets, call me when you get home?”

  Kassie smiled. She loved when he called her that, and it was even nicer in front of her family. “Absolutely. Be careful going home, okay?”

  Her family stood up and said their goodbyes. Kaden was polite to Luc’s dad, and then nodded to Luc, but never spoke. At least that was something.

  “Joe, I’m so glad you made it over. Hopefully we’ll be able to get together again,” her mom said.

  “I’d like that. Thanks so much for inviting me.”

  Luc leaned in and whispered in her ear. “If you want to stop over later, I’ll be home.”

  “Depends on what time I leave here. I’ll let you know.” Kassie walked them to the front door. She didn’t even stop to check if Kaden was watching before she kissed Luc goodnight. “Drive carefully. Bye, Joe. I’ll see you soon.”

  Joe smiled. “Goodnight, dear Kassie.”

  Joe’s advice rattled around in her brain. She truly believed that he was right. That her brother just needed time. And it wasn’t her job to cater to his insecurities. He would have to get over it.

  The house was quiet after Luc and his dad left. They all settled into the living room and watched a little television. Kaden had relaxed, and once little Kaleb woke up from his catnap, he kept his daddy on his toes. Kassie was glad to see the familiar jovial smile on her brother’s face as he played with his night-owl son.

  “Does he do this often?”

  Kaden tu
rned his attention to Kassie. “Become a wild child when he should be sound asleep? Yep, all too often.”

  “He probably just wanted to hang out with his awesome auntie,” Kassie teased. She didn’t realize she was smiling for no reason until she saw Kaden staring at her.

  “What? Do I have gravy on my face or something?”

  Kaden shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “No. It’s just nice to see you smiling so much lately.”

  She knew that was as close to an apology as she was going to get from him tonight, but it was enough. Kassie nodded in acknowledgement. It was a small but significant step.

  Not long after, Kaleb could barely keep his eyes open. Kassie’s mom suggested Kassie come help her with the dishes while Kaden and Ali have some quiet time with the baby and try to get him to fall asleep.

  Now in the kitchen drying dishes, Kassie could only imagine the conversation between her brother and his wife. Was Kaden suggesting maybe he was wrong and that he should give Luc a chance? She doubted it would be that easy, but gazing out the window, she made a little wish on a star and hoped.

  Kassie dried the dishes, but her mind was on Luc. She would’ve preferred to go home with him tonight, but it was only right for her to stay and help her mom. “Mom, thanks for such a nice dinner. Not sure how much it helped, but it was delicious.”

  “Oh dear, I love making dinner for you kids. And now our family has doubled. I love having you all here. I just wish your father was here to see this. He’d be so proud of you both.” Her mom teared up.

  She handed Kassie the last plate to dry. All that was left was the meatloaf pan, and that needed to soak. Kassie glanced at the clock on the wall before answering her mother. She still had plenty of time to stop over at Luc’s for a little while if she left soon.

  “Yeah, all except for how Kaden and I can’t seem to see eye to eye lately. He of all people should know that there are exceptions to the rule.”

  “Honey, I agree with Luc’s dad. Kaden will come around once he realizes that Luc is good for you. And believe me, he knows all about those exceptions. He just thinks he’s looking out for his sister’s best interest.”