Before long, it became clear that the caller wasn’t Cort.
“Mother, please don’t try to make me feel bad. This is crazy!” She groaned and rubbed two fingers between her eyes. “We just started dating. We’ll come back to New York eventually. He has practice and—no, you can’t talk to him!”
Dominik pressed the button to call the elevator. He studied her face, curious to know if there was more behind her shaky confidence besides an abusive ex.
“He’ll tell you exactly what I just did. Ask Dad. It’s the playoffs and there’s no time for—” Her throat worked as she swallowed. She didn’t speak until they were past the hotel lobby. “Hi, Daddy. Yes, he’s right here.” Sahara held out the phone, mouthing, “I’m sorry.”
Dominik gave her a mock warning look as he brought the phone to his ear. “Hello?”
“Mr. Mason, I was speaking to my wife this morning, and she mentioned that you’re dating my daughter. Her mother and I are both understandably concerned.” Mr. Dionne continued before Dominik had a chance to agree. “Her mother asked if we could all meet for coffee. Sahara seems anxious that it will conflict with your schedule, but I’m sure you could spare half an hour?”
Not really a request, but Dominik didn’t blame her father for being protective of his daughter. And meeting her parents to ease their fears was more than reasonable.
But Sahara isn’t comfortable with it. This isn’t a decision I’ll make without her. He cleared his throat as they stepped out onto the sidewalk. “I will see what I can do, sir. Can Sahara call you back once I clear things with my coach?”
“Please do.” The call ended.
He handed Sahara her phone. “Is there a reason you don’t want me to meet your parents?”
Her cheeks reddened. “No! It’s…well, don’t you think it’s weird? I mean, meeting the parents happens after you’ve been dating at least a few weeks. Besides, you don’t know my mother. She’ll interrogate you, and you’ll be so fed up when it’s over that you’ll never speak to me again.”
Sliding his hand beneath her ponytail to take a light hold on the back of her neck, he brought her to a stop to face him. “There is absolutely nothing either of your parents can do that will make me leave you.”
“But they—”
“Nothing.” He stroked the side of her neck to soothe her. “I won’t tolerate cheating or lying. Both are things you can control. Nothing else will come between us. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. “Why do you have to be so wonderful? I keep waiting for the alarm to go off and wake me up.”
He grinned, pulling her close because that deserved a kiss. She was pretty damn wonderful herself.
“Dominik!” A shout from behind, coming from his brother Cameron stopped him with his lips a breath away from Sahara’s.
Rolling his eyes, he put his arm over her shoulder and turned to greet his younger brother. “Your timing is excellent, as usual.”
Baring his teeth in a remorseless smile that proved he’d interrupted to be a jerk, Cam shrugged. “Sorry, Mom just called. She’s meeting you after practice and she wanted me to find you. She got tickets to the game too.”
All right, this is freakin’ hilarious. Dominik burst out laughing, and both Cam and Sahara stared at him like he’d gone nuts. He motioned for Cam to walk with them, since the arena was only five blocks or so from the hotel.
“This isn’t funny, Dominik. You were right, I should have gotten changed.” Sahara gazed back at the hotel longingly. Her foot missed the curb, and Dominik latched on to her waist to keep her from face-planting. Unfortunately, her knee made contact. With a puddle. “Oh my God! I have to go change now! I can’t meet your mother like this!”
She tried to slip out of his grasp. He tightened his grip. “Oh no, you don’t. You come with me. Cam can fetch you a change of clothes.”
Cam sputtered. “I can?”
Dominik smirked and pulled out his key card. “A nice dress maybe? What would you be comfortable in, Sahara?”
Sahara shot him a grateful look. Then gave his brother a sweet smile that melted the big, tattooed man on the spot. “There’s a nice white one with purple flowers. And my white heels and…umm, I can’t wear this bra.” She blushed. “There’s only one other one in my suitcase. Are you sure you don’t—”
“Naw, it’s fine.” Cam gave Dominik a sideways glare, but he was all charm with Sahara. “Not like I haven’t handled bras before. I’m kinda impressed that my brother doesn’t mind me handling yours though.” He winked at Sahara, then took off. “See you in a bit!”
If Dominik didn’t love the cocky bastard, he’d probably strangle him. He sighed and draped his arm back over Sahara’s shoulder. Dealing with his brother was worth seeing her relax a little about the introductions. They would get through the awkward ritual of parental introductions and carry on with their lives.
How bad could it really be?
With a rough inhale, he pulled Sahara a little closer.
You just had to ask that, didn’t you?
* * * *
“You must be Sahara.” A tall black woman with kind, golden brown eyes behind wire-frame glasses approached Sahara in the stands by the rink, a broad smile on her lips. Her pale gray pantsuit looked custom-fitted to show off her curves while giving her a professional appearance.
Sahara nodded and stood, not sure whether or not to hold out her hand to shake the woman’s—this was clearly Dominik’s mother, first impressions were important. Before she had a chance to decide, Mrs. Olivia Mason drew her in for a firm hug.
“No need to look so frightened. You should see some of the girls Cameron brings home. The boy has absolutely no taste.” Olivia held Sahara at arm’s length, still smiling. “I’ve seen your shows on the ice. You’re a talented young lady.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Sahara smiled back, relieved that so far the woman didn’t seem to hate her. “Your sons speak of you often. I know Dominik is thrilled that you were able to come.”
“Ha! No need to humor me, young lady. I heard that your parents insisted on meeting him. My presence is only adding to the pressure on you both, and for that, I apologize.” Olivia lowered into one of the seats and patted the one beside her. She continued when Sahara sat. “Tell me, will your father be hard on my son or will he give him a chance to prove himself?”
Good question. Sahara considered her answer carefully. “Honestly, I don’t know. When I was a teenager, my dad used to invite half his team to hang out at our house before I went on dates.” She shook her head and laughed. At sixteen, she’d been embarrassed by the veiled threats the players aimed at any boy who’d dared to ask her out. She wasn’t a little girl anymore, and she doubted Dominik would be intimidated by the veterans. “I’m a little more worried about my mother completely humiliating me. Or making Dominik uncomfortable. She has…strange ideas about things.”
Olivia nodded slowly. “Perhaps, but she probably just wants to assure herself that you’re in a better place. Mothers don’t always know how to voice their concern without being overbearing. I’ve had mine. Meeting my children’s significant others didn’t always alleviate them, but one hopes simply showing interest will give our babies somewhere to turn when life gets tough.”
“You’re right. And I should be grateful my parents care so much.” It was hard to convince herself her mother really did. Most of the time, unless she could brag about Sahara’s accomplishments, it seemed like she was just dealing with an inconvenience.
Dominik’s mother patted the back of her hand. “Be grateful, but don’t forget that you’re living your own life. Parents don’t always have to approve. And if they disapprove of my son? Well, I fully support you respectfully telling them where to shove it.”
Covering her mouth to smother a giggle, Sahara turned back to the ice to watch Dominik. Practice was almost over, but he was still going hard, working with the trainers on shots and speaking to Sloan during the final
stretch led by the rookie, Heath Ladd.
When the men were dismissed, he lingered on the ice, exchanging a few words with different players. But his focus seemed to be on Heath.
The rookie was going around the ice, shoveling pucks toward the net. Which was nice of him, it left less work for the trainers when they went around to pack everything up.
Unfortunately, the backup goalie, Dave Hunt, didn’t see it that way. He snarled something when a stray puck hit his skate, then slammed his shoulder into Heath’s.
Heath opened his mouth, shut it, and turned away. When Hunt grabbed his arm, he tried to twist free.
Dominik skated up to separate the pair. He grabbed Hunt by the front of his shirt, then shoved him toward the bench exit. For a few long moments, he watched Heath continue to clean up the scattered pucks. Shaking his head, he headed off the ice.
“Prepare yourself, my dear. The children have put our boy in a foul mood.” Olivia snickered as she stood. Once they reached the end of the seats, she hooked her arm to Sahara’s. “I think he gets it from Joshua, honestly. That boy… I’m not surprised he’s leading soldiers now. He used to try to quiet down Cam and my girls when they were rowdy. Dominik was the only one who really listened to him. Bless them, I remember coming home after work and seeing them both trying to clean up the mess the others had made.”
Sahara tried to picture Dominik as a little boy. It wasn’t hard to imagine him being serious and responsible. Looking up to his older brother and trying to take care of his mother. “You seem like you’re a very close family.”
“We certainly are.” Olivia put her hand on Sahara’s forearm. “You’ll love Joshua. He’s the perfect gentleman. And smart. He could have done anything he wanted to with his life, but he chose to serve our country. Dominik wanted to as well, but Joshua insisted he play. The military would have been good for Cameron, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
Nodding, Sahara listened to Olivia brag about her children, her daughters, one who’d had beautiful babies and took care of her, the other who was still in law school. She sounded so proud of them all. Which must be amazing. She couldn’t help but wish her mother was a little more like Olivia.
They met Dominik outside the locker room. He had showered and dressed in black slacks and a white shirt. She was glad Cam had brought her a change of clothes, or she would have felt underdressed next to him.
But when his eyes met hers, what she was wearing didn’t seem to matter. He seemed to see more of her. Deep inside, where she was the same girl who wore jeans and scuffed her knees and cried for the stupidest reasons. He saw everything and still smiled and reached out to take her in his arms.
He pressed a kiss on her forehead, then pulled his mother in close on his other side. “I see my two favorite girls have met. And are getting along. That’s good.”
“She’s a sweet little thing. I think I’ll be warning you along with her father to be good to her.” Olivia winked at Sahara, the mischief in her grin making it obvious where Cam got it from. “Where are we joining them?”
Not at a café. Sahara glanced at her phone, wanting to die on the spot as she whispered the answer.
Olivia’s eyes went wide. “That’s one of the most expensive restaurants in New York! How did they even get a reservation?”
“Well, my mother likely name-dropped. My father isn’t a huge name, but my grandfather was. She might have brought up Dominik as well.” Which shouldn’t have come as a shock. Her mother did whatever worked to get what she wanted. “I’m sor—”
“That word, Sahara,” Dominik warned in a slight growl. He grinned at his mother when she frowned at him. “My girl would apologize for a rainy day if I let her. She’s working on it.”
“Good.” Olivia took Sahara’s other arm as Dominik took her hand. “Never you mind, sweetie. I’ve heard the food is delicious, and our boy must be fed before the big game.”
Sahara felt a little better, but that only lasted until they pulled up in front of the restaurant in a cab and opened the door to hear a woman’s shrill voice berating a busboy.
Speaking of first impressions…
“Mom!” Sahara hurried to her mother’s side, drawing her attention from the poor young man who was red-faced and holding up his hands to defend himself. “I’m begging you. Stop.”
“I opened my own door! Do you know how humiliating that is?” Her mother huffed, looking over at the limo idling on the curb. “And your father is no help. He said he’d rather have a smoked meat sandwich! After all the trouble I went to reserving us a table.”
Sahara blinked at the limo. “Is Daddy still in there?”
“Yes! Can you talk to him? I won’t have him spoiling our dinner. Your new man should know who your family is. Have you told him about your grandfather?” She eyed Dominik, who was standing back with his own mother, talking out of the side of his mouth. “He dressed very casually. And so did you. What were you thinking?”
Can I disappear? Is that an option? Sahara hadn’t expected this to be fun, but so far, a nightmare was putting it lightly. “I’ll talk to Daddy. Why don’t you go make sure they have our table ready? They might have forgotten.”
The expression of horror on her mother’s face over the very idea of the table not being ready might be laughable, but it got her rushing inside. Away from Dominik and Olivia. So they wouldn’t have to deal with her alone.
Opening the door to the limo, Sahara slid inside and fell into her father’s arms. “Can we grab Dominik and his mom and just drive away?”
Her father laughed. “I wish. No, cookie, we have to keep her happy. But I have something to tell you which may explain why she’s acting a little crazier than usual.”
A little? Sahara had never seen her mother scream at anyone like she’d been screaming at the busboy. She usually showed her disapproval with sharp little barbs of cruel comments. She’d looked downright unstable out there.
Was her mother sick? Sahara pulled away from her father and hugged herself. If her mother wasn’t doing well, then Sahara was a horrible daughter for even being annoyed at her. But why had he waited to tell her?
“You’re doing that thing you do. I blame your mother for that. It’s not the end of the world.” He sighed. “We’re getting a divorce.”
Her mouth went dry. This was better than her mother having a terminal illness, but…she couldn’t picture her parents apart. Even when her mother nagged and complained and demanded the world, her father took it in stride. He had for as long as Sahara could remember.
“Cookie, we stopped living together when your brother went to play for the juniors. I’ve met someone and…I think she can make me happy. I know I make her happy, and I didn’t realize how much I needed that.” He took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. “I think I was always waiting for you and your brother to grow up and set out on your own. Please don’t hate me.”
“I don’t, but…why come with her today? If you’d asked to meet Dominik on your own, I would have said yes.”
“I know you would have, but your mother and I have an agreement. We keep up pretenses until the divorce is finalized. Since I admitted to infidelity, she gets a bigger share of our assets. She’ll be able to continue the lifestyle she knows.” He took a deep breath. “And I’ll be free.”
Staring down at her hands, Sahara struggled to find the right way to ask the one thing she really needed to know. “Did you cheat on her?”
“No. We were legally separated for two years before I met Debbie—yes, maybe I should have told you, but you were going through so much, and it took every ounce of restraint I have not to hunt down the asshole who hurt you and kill him.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “The only reason I didn’t is because your brother needs me. He’s fired three of his last managers. He’s a bit more like your mother than I want to admit, but he’s young enough to change.”
Fredrick, her brother, was talented, but she couldn’t deny that he had the entitled attitude their mother had taught hi
m. Since he was ten years younger than her, they hadn’t really grown up together. Either she’d been figure skating or playing hockey. Or he’d been out there trying to be the next Dionne in the league.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about her parents’ divorce, but she had to admit, it would be the best thing for her brother. Her mother would stick with her friends, and her father would have a chance to give his son a new outlook on life.
“I’m not mad and I don’t hate you. But do me a favor?” She smiled when he nodded. “Be nice to Dominik. He’s…everything I ever needed. He’s an amazing man, and he really cares about me.”
“Agreed, but if he ever lays a hand on you…” Her father cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”
She tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth. “I get why Dominik hates me using that word. Don’t be sorry. I made my own mistakes and I’m stronger now. Of all the things I’ve done in my life, I’m prouder of the day I walked out that door than anything else.”
They left the car and went inside when they saw both Dominik and his mother already had. The hostess led them to their table. Which was surprisingly quiet.
Olivia gave Sahara a sympathetic smile as Dominik pulled out her chair.
Sahara sat, smoothing her hands over her skirt.
Her mother being quiet was a good sign. Maybe the worst had passed.
* * * *
Gulping back her third glass of wine since she’d sat down, Sahara’s mother leaned forward and giggled. Dominik hated that Sahara had to see the woman like this, but there wasn’t much he could do except be a sounding board for all her frustrations when this was over. Even if it meant he’d have to ease out each and every word of how hurt and embarrassed and ashamed she’d been.
“Grant Higgins thought he was such an amazing man, but after four years with my daughter, he never managed to knock her up? He clearly didn’t want to marry her, but a baby would have been nice. She’d be set.” Sahara’s mother reached for another glass of wine. Her husband pulled it out of reach. She grabbed Sahara’s glass of water and gulped it down. “Those people commenting on your pictures are right though. Have you ever considered what you’ll be putting your children through? The world can be cruel to the mixed. Even the bible says ‘let the Jews stay with the Jews and the Gentiles stay with the Gentiles.’”
Goal Line (The Dartmouth Cobras Book 7) Page 25