I can see an infinitesimal amount of panic flicker on her face, because if she tells him how she really met me, that would be totally awkward. But she recovers, gives him a sweet smile and says, “I’m a flight attendant on the team plane. And let’s just say your son was persistent in getting me to go on a date with him.”
“And one date was all it took,” I throw in, not for my dad’s benefit but merely as a way to reiterate to Blue that this shit is real.
She glances at me and I wink at her. Blue tucks a stray wisp of hair behind her ear and glances briefly down at the table in slight embarrassment, but the tiny smile on her face makes it worth it.
“I can sure understand that,” my dad says, his voice going low and husky. He leans in closer toward her, as if they’re having a private conversation and stares deeply into her eyes. I want to fucking smack him upside the back of his head.
Instead, I just lay it out real for him with words. “Dad,” I say to get his attention.
He doesn’t look at me for a moment, but then turns slowly my way with an open smile on his face and his eyebrows raised in question.
“If anyone, be it friend or stranger, so shamelessly flirted with Blue while I sat a mere two feet away, I’d totally pound their ass into the ground. Just because you’re my father, doesn’t make that sentiment any less true. So knock it off, okay?”
“Erik,” Blue gasps in admonishment.
I don’t look at her, though. I keep my eyes locked on my dad, who just stares back at me without a change in his expression. My fingers involuntarily curl into my palm and I wonder to myself how a lunch with my father could so quickly turn into a physical brawl.
Because I was going to punch his lights out soon.
But my dad just tips his head back and starts roaring with laughter. I glance at Blue who looks nervously back at me. I just shrug and let my dad get it out.
Finally, he turns to me and his eyes are totally apologetic. He clamps a hand on my shoulder, and says, “I’m sorry, buddy. Guess that was just second nature to me and you caught me by surprise. You’ve never introduced me to a woman you were interested in before.”
“Not interested in,” I correct him with a smirk. “Crazy about. So just be a dad, okay?”
“Got it,” he says, still chuckling. Then he turns to Blue and apologizes. “I’m sorry, Blue. I’ve been a damn bachelor too long. But one thing’s clear…”
My dad pauses, turns to look at me with what I think might be nostalgia, before looking back to her. “You must be very special to Erik, and I not only respect that, but admire it.”
“Okay, now you’re just weirding me out,” I mutter and this time Blue laughs along with my father.
Lunch ends up going by way too fast once my dad settles in, and he promptly grills me and Blue in a very dadlike manner which is very new but also refreshing to me. We spend a lot of time talking about Billy, and my dad even gives us some unsolicited legal advice about the life insurance, although he’s very impressed that Dominik’s lawyers are stepping in. Dominik had actually sent Blue an email introducing her to his lawyers the day after I met with him.
That led to an email from them to her with a contract of representation she had to sign giving them permission to go all attack dog on the insurance company for her. The contract was for a 0 percent contingent fee which essentially meant they were either doing the work for free and pro bono, or Dominik was paying them. Either way, it was nice to know that would soon be resolved.
The waiter brings the bill and my dad snatches it. While he fishes out his credit card from his wallet, Blue says, “Pierce…did you play hockey? I’m just wondering where Erik got the drive and talent.”
My dad puts the credit card with the bill, pushing it to the side for the waiter to collect. He chuckles when he says, “I did play hockey. Still do in an over-forty league, and I’d hope that Erik got some of his determination and drive from me. But he definitely didn’t get the talent. I never played more than recreationally.”
“My dad’s understating his contribution to what I am today,” I tell Blue who turns to look at me across the table. “He gave me all the opportunities to be a great player. Paid for training camps and the best gear. Traveled with me to games and cheered me on.”
I sneak a glance at my dad, and his eyes seem a little wet. He gives a cough and looks around for the waiter, who magically appears to take payment. Blue and I exchange a knowing look that my dad just got emotional and doesn’t want us to acknowledge it.