by Toni Aleo
He shrugged. “There’s no reason to thank me. I’m doing my grandfatherly duties.” He joked.
“Come on, you know you go above and beyond being just a grandfather.”
“Dag, I’m aware of my duties to you and the boys. I don’t, and will not, have this conversation again.”
He shook his head. “I rely on you too much. Maybe I should consider a nanny?”
“Really? You’d rather depend on a stranger than your own blood.” Big Bruce’s voice rose slightly.
“I don’t want a stranger, but you have a life to live as well, Dad.” Dag took a large gulp of the cold liquid.
“Is this because of my date?” he asked.
“No. Hell, I’m glad you’re going out with someone.” He truly meant it. “But you talked about traveling and taking up a hobby when you retired, not babysitting all the time and running my errands because I’m so damn busy.”
Big Bruce set down his bottle of unopened water on the counter and strolled over to him. “I made my decision to be by your side and my grandsons’ sides until I take my last breath. I will do it. I love you three more than my own soul. If I ever want to walk away, which won’t happen, then I will let you know. For now, I want you to remember this. I love you, and I will run any damn errand you want and babysit those boys anytime I want.” He hugged Dag tightly, kissing his cheek. “I’m proud of you.” He released him and left the kitchen to go to his room in the house, leaving Dag alone.
He stood there for a moment before finishing the bottle of water and then went to his room. Dag carefully took off his suit so he wouldn’t wrinkle it too much. He yanked back the blankets on his king-size bed. He never thought he’d need such a large bed until the boys were toddlers and they occasionally slept with him. Even in this large bed, he would somehow wake up with a foot on his face and another would be sprawled out on his back tight against Dag’s side. He never got much sleep when the boys slept in his bed, but he didn’t care.
He checked his phone, noticing all the notifications from Twitter. He sighed while opening the app. The reporters had told him Elexis had tweeted him back. He hadn’t seen it before the game. Nova had broached him with the idea of making this more of a public nuisance, and he wished he could get out of it. But what the hell? One date never killed anyone and they’d be in public, so she couldn’t kill him.
Finding her tweet, he smiled and tapped her profile picture. There were numerous posts from tonight’s game and the food she ate. He continued to scroll through her tweets and happened upon a selfie of her. He sat up, straighter, staring at a stunning woman. A young woman. She couldn’t have been more than twenty-one, tops. In this particular selfie, her hair was blowing in the wind. A shade of red deeper than he had seen before but shiny in the sunlight she stood in. Her eyes were a deep green. Like algae but breathtaking.
Reading her tweets, he learned she actually worked two jobs and loved to read. She didn’t talk about fashion, movies, or any reality shows. He figured she would be obsessed with much different things. Chastising himself, he shouldn’t assume he knew what people liked or didn’t like. She seemed smarter than him, just by the books she read. He knew they weren’t for school because she said so.
What was the last book I read?
It had to be something with the boys. He used to read every now and again before the boys but couldn’t seem to find the time now.
He thought for a moment when was the last time he had done something for himself. Hobby? Hanging out with friends? Golfing? Hell, he barely shopped for himself. His boys were first. Always.
Thinking of Big Bruce, he remembered his dad did things with his friends. He’d played poker from time-to-time and golfed. Dag lived and breathed Bruce and Brock, but he honestly missed having someone to share his life with. He saw how Edgar and Greer were together, and he assumed he would have that same bond with Faith.
Nope.
Still looking at Elexis’ tweet he wondered if this could be his first step back into the adult world. Obviously, he felt she would be definitely too young for him to date. This was purely a courtesy date. Nothing more.
But his first step.
Chapter Five
How does one’s life change in a matter of a day? Saturday, she had been enjoying her job and the hockey game. Then Sunday she awoke to hundreds of notifications. People were still talking about Dag and her. It almost felt as if her fifteen minutes should be over. She should wake up from this dream.
She knew someone had to put an end to this. Possibly, she could end it herself and put them both out of their misery.
Taking a slow deep breath, she mustered up the courage from every cell in her body to send him a direct message and get this date over with. She remembered Nova telling her she’d be receiving a message from Dag, but this would be an out for him.
Dag, I appreciate the time and fun of the tweets, but please do not feel obligated to follow through.
In a rushed manner, she hit send, tossed the phone to the side, and tried to focus on her homework. Feeling satisfied for giving him an out, she knew he would take it. A small twinge of pain hit her. She might be lying acting as if she didn’t want to go. It’d have been the highlight of her life if it had happened.
Ding. Ding.
She gasped spinning her head toward the phone. With a shaky hand, she picked it up. Dag had DM’d her.
How about coffee instead? 1 pm @ The Latte Bean?
“What?” she said to the screen. “He still wants to go?” Again, she spoke to the cell phone as if it would answer her.
Her mind raced. She truly didn’t know what to do.
“Wait.” Taking a deep breath, she put down the phone and tried to rationalize her thoughts.
Wanting to go and not wanting to go battled her complete thoughts. She had no clue what to do. Groaning she remembered telling Nova Long she’d do the photo op. Why? Why did she agree to such a thing?
Picking up her phone she tried to compose a DM to Dag.
1pm sounds perfect.
Okay it wasn’t a Nobel Prize winning message, but she couldn’t back out now.
Elexis couldn’t sleep the night before meeting Dag. She tossed and turned the majority of the night and at three in the morning she gave up sleeping altogether. She tried reading, watching Netflix, doing homework, but her mind couldn’t focus on anything. Except for one thing—Dag.
As the sun rose, she began going through her dressers, trying to find something to wear. No way this would be fancy since she already planned a quick exit. A couple of pictures, a couple of sips of her coffee and then she’d be gone and happy to move on with her life. There would be no need for a drawn-out conversation and small talk. Then again, she could just leave after the photos were taken. Simple and easy. Plus, everyone would be happy and this could all be over.
Thankfully, the Bears did not tweet the time or location for the date. Bobbe and Joy the owners of The Latte Bean were made aware of the happenings. Being just one—of many—sponsors of the team, they happily obliged for Dag and Elexis to have their own table in the corner and promised they wouldn’t be disturbed.
At six in the morning, she took a shower, then did her makeup and hair. At eight, she sat on her couch, fully dressed in jeans and a simple gray t-shirt with a yellow jacket she had found at a second-hand store for only five dollars that went perfectly with them, and ready to go…with five hours to go. Her legs bounced. Her insides buzzed, and the anxiousness built up within her.
She had to focus on something else before she lost her mind. Turning on Netflix, she found her favorite TV show The West Wing. It was strange for someone in their late teens to love this series, but she did. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the couch, she enjoyed the fast-paced actions of the fictional White House staff. One of her earlier goals had been to get a political science degree and work in Washington, DC. Realistically, she knew she never would. Moving to Manchester had been life-changing for her. Leaving her life in her small hometown frigh
tened her to the bones, but somehow, she did it.
Now more uncertainty laid ahead of her causing more anxiety to push through her. She liked knowing what was ahead. Just one of the reasons why she planned out everything, made lists, and goals. So, she knew the future.
Again, realistically she couldn’t perfectly plan the future, but she got close enough. Nineteen years into her life so far, it worked. Her mother had said, ‘it wasn’t broken, no need to fix it.’
Valid point.
Elexis spent the next several hours trying her best to focus on The West Wing. It really didn’t work, but the time finally arrived to leave.
Standing at the bus stop, her heart raced fast enough to jump-start an eighteen-wheeler. She found a seat on the bus when it arrived, and her palms became clammy and sweat beaded around her temples. When she pulled the string to alert the driver to stop, the air around her left.
Elexis stepped off the bus, and the sun felt as if it would blind her. Her wobbly legs managed to carry her the two blocks to The Latte Bean. Just as the front of the building came into view, she hid in a nearby alley.
When was the last time she had a panic attack?
Years?
The world spun on the wrong axis at this moment and she had no way to stop it. This would be her first date. Ever. And it was with Dag Limon. She revered him. Admired him. Loved him.
She had to get out of this, but the time had passed for her to cancel. Dag knew she would be there.
Taking several deep breaths, her heart began to slow. Even though her hands still shook, it didn’t seem to be as noticeable. Pulling her compact from her purse, she did a quick check to make sure her makeup hadn’t been swept away with sweat. Surprisingly, she appeared the same, though she noticed the panic in her green eyes. After a few deeper breaths she felt—somewhat—normal. Her legs carried her to the front door of The Latte Bean, she pulled open the door and she stepped in.
Janie greeted her as Bobbe and Joy stood next to her. “Are you ready?”
“Is he here?” Elexis whispered, ignoring all her current symptoms.
“No, not yet.” Bobbe smiled.
“We have your drinks waiting.” Joy beamed, pointing over to the corner table. They had set up a partition, blocking the table from the public eye.
“Thanks.” She mumbled going toward the table.
Setting there was her usual extra-large iced mocha and another drink. Certainly it was for Dag. The smell of the perfectly delicious looking coffee made her stomach roll. Glancing at her cell phone she noticed she had four minutes before he would show up.
Maybe he’ll be late?
Maybe he won’t come?
Then she heard a commotion…Janie, Bobbe, and Joy were greeting Dag and whoever came in with him.
Possibly the world press.
Elexis became surprisingly calm. Almost too calm. She had instantly thought of having some sort of stroke or another medical emergency.
Then he appeared.
Holy crap!
Her body went into autopilot as she stood but didn’t say anything.
“You must be Elexis.” He smiled holding out his hand.
“Yes.” She shook it but couldn’t look away from his brown eyes.
“I’m Dag.”
“Yes.” She dropped her hand from his strong but gentle grip.
“This is Seth.” He turned slightly. Behind him was a man appearing to be in his mid-twenties with a professional camera hanging around his neck. “Do you want to sit? Seth’ll snap a few then leave us be.”
“Yes.” Her autopilot brain commanded him to take a seat.
She watched as Seth adjusted the cups to ensure The Latte Bean logo was visible in the picture.
“Smile.” He pulled his camera toward his face. The shutter clicked quickly. When he finished he checked the screen and nodded. “Looks good. Have a great time.”
Then he left.
Elexis stared at her drink, fiddling with the straw, unsure of what to say or do.
“Thanks for agreeing to this. I know it’s crazy.” Dag spoke first.
“Yes.” She nodded.
He chuckled. “You don’t have to be nervous.”
“Yes.”
This time he laughed. It made the butterflies in her stomach flutter faster. “I’m sure you know more words than yes.”
She furrowed her brow, then realized what he meant. She’d only been saying yes. Feeling like a fool she said, “I do know more words.”
“Ah, she speaks and in a full sentence.” He continued to chuckle. “You truly don’t have to be nervous. I promise.”
“I know. The thing is, you’re you, and this is just a crazy day for me.”
He moved around in his chair, crossing his arms and resting them on the table. “This has to be the craziest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Trust me, me too.”
“I have to say one thing, though.” He sipped his coffee. “You look so familiar. Have we met before?”
Her cheeks flamed as their first encounter rushed through her memories. “We have.” She told him the story of the puck and waiting outside the arena.
“I remember.”
“I’m surprised. You meet thousands of fans.”
“Thousands?” He scoffed. “Far from it. I’m not one of the popular guys.”
Elexis heard the sadness in his tone. “That’s not true. You’re my favorite player and how many retweets did those other guys get?”
His eyes lit up. “Point taken.”
“They made fun of you, didn’t they?” She’d seen a lot of behind the scenes and interviews with the Bears. They were all close.
“They did.”
“Isn’t Edgar Hopp your closest friend on the team?” They acted as if they were when they interacted in interviews and on social media.
“One of them,” he answered, sipping his coffee again.
Admiring how relaxed he seemed, she finally took a sip of her drink.
“I saw you were in college. What are you studying?” He inquired.
“Early education. I’d like to be an elementary school teacher one day. I love working with kids and the idea of shaping the minds of the future to love school as much as I did.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I also work part-time at the library. I read during story time and help keep the children’s section stocked. It’s my favorite thing to do.”
“Sounds like it is based on the smile on your face.” He glanced around, but there was nothing to really look at since they were cut off from the rest of the coffee shop.
She figured he was searching for an exit. “You can leave if you want.”
“Why?” He appeared confused. “Are you not having a good time?”
“Oh…um…I am.” She stuttered. “I just meant, well, you were looking around. I was trying to give you an out.”
“Are you from Manchester?” He didn’t dwell on her oddness.
“No. I’ve been here for almost a year now. I grew up upstate in a small town.” Her hand shook a little as she told him. “You’re from Canada?”
He nodded. “I am. I’ve been in the states for almost eight years but I go home in the offseason.”
“Do your boys enjoy Canada?”
He froze.
“Oh, sorry. I know you don’t speak of them much in the public eye.” How stupid of her to bring them up?
“No, it’s not that. Well, not completely. My boys enjoy the big yard and pool at my home in Canada.” Pride filled his face. “But they love it here because of their friends.”
“I follow the Bears on Twitter. You seem to have a lot of family events.” She changed the subject.
He grinned. “True. Oliver and Nova love it. It’s one reason why we’re all close.”
For the time, Elexis smiled. “It’s why you guys are so good.”
“We did have a rough go last year.” He frowned.
“This season is starting off right.” She countered.
“Point taken. Again.” He tipped his coffee to me.
The conversation continued with hockey. Elexis already knew a lot of his past experiences, but she loved hearing it from him. Slowly, he told her about the boys. She knew about him gaining full custody because of their mother’s abandonment. She could tell he loved them and was an outstanding father. He turned the questioning to her.
“Tell me about your family. Have any kids? Are you married?” He joked, making her smile again.
“Not married and no kids. I’m nineteen—”
“Nineteen?” He cut her off and gasped.
“Yes.” She was taken aback for a second but continued. “My mother raised me. I love school and both of my jobs. The library and here.”
“Here? As in here at The Latte Bean?”
She held out her hands. “I work here full-time.”
“When do you find time to go to school?”
“I take online classes. This way I can still pay my bills.” She half-joked.
“Do you have hobbies?”
“Reading,” she answered. “You?”
“Cooking.” He seemed bashful. “I took some classes when the boys were babies. I had no clue how to cook, and I wanted them to eat healthier. Now, I’m constantly watching YouTube videos to try new things on them.”
Again, another reason why she knew he was an amazing father. “We’ve been here for over an hour. I’m sure you need to get home—”
“Do you want to go out again? Maybe dinner? A place with no fake wall.” He pointed over his shoulder.
“I…um…” She almost prided herself on not acting like a fool this entire time and not letting her nerves get the best of her…
Until this moment.
“What do you say, Lex?” He smirked at the nickname. Even though she remembered him calling her the same thing years before when she stood outside the arena.
“Um…well…I…” Again, she couldn’t form a coherent sentence.
“How about this?” He stood up, leaving her alone at the table. For a moment, she thought he left for good but returned with a piece of paper. “I had a great time. Here is my number. Text me when you’re free and I’ll try to make it happen.” He squeezed her hand and left.