Running her fingers through her hair, she turned to take the glass of sweet tea she had just poured to the counter where her computer sat. Karson was at practice, and when he got back, they were supposed to go to the mall to look at stuff for the house. Later that night they would go over for dinner at his captain’s house with some of his other teammates. She was nervous to meet his friends, but then again, after meeting JT, she figured she could deal with anyone. Also, the wives would be there, so maybe she would make friends. At least then she wouldn’t be lonely when Karson left.
Leaning on her hand, she clicked through the emails that Rachel had sent her. Rachel had been a little better, but it was nowhere near the relationship they had before she left for Nashville. Lacey didn’t realize how dependent she’d been on her friendship with Rachel until she didn’t have it. It was weird not being able to call your best friend to bitch about your husband leaving his nasty clothes all over the place or how messy he was or how she was nervous that he was leaving. If Lacey even mentioned Karson’s name, Rachel would change the subject. She wouldn’t even entertain the idea of Karson.
Lacey was soon accepting that her life with Karson was one thing and her business with Rachel was another. It bothered her to the core, but what was she supposed to do? It was getting to the point that when she called Rachel, it was only for work and that was it. She didn’t even ask about her nephews anymore; she saved that for when she texted Grady, which was only once a week.
She missed them.
All of them. And while it was killing her, she still couldn’t regret marrying Karson. She was so happy. He made her smile constantly, sometimes without even being around. He loved her and had no shame showing it at a moment’s notice. He was considerate and kind, and man, he burned up those sheets. Just thinking about his lip curving in such a sinful way and his dark seductive eyes capturing her before he devoured her could have her grinning like a schoolgirl in seconds. They worked and she wouldn’t feel sorry for that. Not when she was more in love than she had ever been in her whole life.
While she loved all of them—Karson, her dad, Grady, Rachel, and the boys—she just wished there was a way to have some kind of balance. To get her family to love him as much as she did. She knew it was a long shot, but there was no hurt in praying it would happen. Or that at least they would try.
Clicking out of an email, Lacey went to the order summary for that day. She wanted to make sure that the new piece she had designed was selling well. It was freaking gorgeous in her opinion and all Karson’s idea. It was a black corset, but instead of regular lace ties tying it together, he said to use hockey laces. He thought it would attract all the female hockey fans. Looking at the numbers, she could say that he was right. It was a hit, and she couldn’t wait to send it off for mass production.
Picking up her phone, she clicked his name and wrote him a quick text.
Lacey: K’s Laces are selling really well.
Karson: Told you they would.
She smiled. While she was glad he texted her back, she didn’t expect him to. He was supposed to be practicing.
Lacey: Are you done?
Karson: Nope, I’m in a meeting. I’ll be home in an hour. I was actually about to text you and let you know. You good?
Lacey: Yeah, just working.
Karson: Cool. I’ll be home soon.
Lacey: :)
Laying her phone down, she checked a few more things and was about to get ready to go to the mall when her phone rang. She assumed it was Karson, but when the display read that it was her father, she was sure her eyes were playing tricks on her.
Picking the phone up slowly, she hit the accept button and said, “Hello?”
“Lacey Arielle, it’s your father.”
“Hey, Daddy,” she said slowly.
She hadn’t talked to him since he’d walked out of her apartment back in Chicago.
“I was calling to ask if you are ready to come home.”
Straight to the point, as her father always was. Sitting back in her chair, her brows came in. “Um, I’m coming to Chicago in two weeks for a meeting and to check on the store.”
“No, I mean are you ready to come home for good.”
“I am home, Dad.”
“No, Chicago is your home. Tell me you are done with this charade. Surely, you are ready.”
Closing her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Daddy, it isn’t a charade. I love Karson. I’m happy.”
“I don’t believe that. Come home.”
“No, I am home.”
He paused and her heart went insane in her chest. She hadn’t spoken to him in weeks, and he thought he could just call to demand shit? How unfair was that? And why? Did he really assume she would just obey him? He was delusional!
“You know, I really don’t see what you don’t understand. I am happy, I am in love, and Karson and I are building a life here. We bought a house, and maybe we’ll get a dog or something, but we are happy. He is my husband, my partner for life,” she said, anger lacing her voice. When she remembered what he had done, for a second time, she decided to call him out on it. “We heard about you calling his coach. That was really low of you. I’m going to ask that you don’t do anything like that again, but knowing you, you probably will.”
She shook her head, completely disgusted with the person she called her father. “Daddy, I need you to respect me. Respect my marriage, and if you can’t do that, then please don’t call me back,” she said sternly. In her head, she knew Karson would be proud of her, but it didn’t keep her heart from pounding so hard it hurt in her chest. The times were few and far between when she actually stood up to her dad, but this had to stop. Karson was everything to her.
“Fine, Lacey,” he said softly and her heart ached. She hated this. She wanted her dad to be a good man and support her. She wanted him not to try to sabotage her and Karson. She wanted him to be happy for her. Not so controlling. But that wasn’t the man Nate Martin was.
“Fine, I guess I’ll let you go then.”
“No, sweetheart, I miss you,” he said and she paused.
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Well, I miss you too, Daddy.”
“And you’re right, I was wrong for trying to ruin that scum’s career,” he said and Lacey rolled her eyes.
“He isn’t scum, Daddy. He is amazing.”
“That’s up for debate. But also, I’ve decided that I was wrong for trying to make you choose, and I really would like it if we can have a relationship. You’re my princess.”
Tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes as she swallowed hard. Her father wasn’t the man she needed for a father, but he was the only parent she had and she did care for him. As much as she wanted him to love Karson right off the bat, she knew it was going to take time. Maybe since he was willing to respect her relationship, Grady and Rachel would. She’d have her family back, and that was something she really did want. Something she craved.
“I would like that too,” she said softly.
“Good, so you said you two bought a house?”
She smiled as she gushed about their new house, telling him every detail. He listened, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he didn’t actually care. He asked questions about where it was and how much it cost, which she thought was weird. But then again, her father was all about money. When she said Karson bought it outright, she was trying to get her father to like him. Since he had said that Karson would never be able to support her, she wanted to show that he could, tenfold. She wasn’t sure it worked, but he seemed impressed.
“Wow, but is your name is on the deed?”
“Yeah,” she said, confused by the question. Why did that matter?
“And there is no prenup, right?”
Her stomach clenched. What was he getting at? “No, we don’t need one.”
“That’s very unsafe, but I guess you both have something to lose and something for leverage,” he said, disappointment lacing his voice.
“There is nothing to lose because this is forever.”
“Nothing is forever, Lacey. Don’t be so naïve,” he scolded, making her feel two feet tall.
“Our love is,” she said with as much strength as she could muster.
“Well, let’s hope so because if not, he can get half your business, and you don’t want that. Not after all the work and time you’ve put into it. Lord knows you are way more successful than he’ll ever be,” he said, and she could just imagine him shaking his head.
“Actually, not that it matters, but Karson is more successful.”
He laughed. “Honey, don’t let him blind you with buying that house with cash. It doesn’t mean anything; he’s only a hockey player. Mediocre at that.”
She let out an annoyed breath. “I’m pretty sure I said not to put down my husband. And not that I have to defend him, but I will because he is an excellent, smart player. He is a beautiful man, and I am proud to be married to him.”
“I’m entitled to my own opinion of him, and until he proves me wrong, I will think what I want of him,” he said in a matter-of-fact way. She hated when he talked like that. Like he was so smart while she was a freaking idiot.
Squeezing the edge of the counter, she snapped, “You’re right. But don’t forget, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, and most of them are just full of shit.”
“I’m pretty sure you just insulted me, and I will blame that on your husband,” he said through a tight lip.
“Actually, I came up with that, but whatever,” she said, and she wished she had hung up a long time ago. While she did want her father in her life, the key was small doses. She should have ended this call a long time ago. It wasn’t time to bring Karson into this. She should have never told her dad anything; he didn’t care. If he did, he’d be happy for her.
“Yes, well, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?”
Putting her glass in the sink, she said, “I think Karson’s parents are going to come down.”
“So you won’t be coming home?”
“No, Karson has already made plans with Regina and Karl to come here,” she said, and the invite was right there, but she wasn’t sure how Karson would feel about that.
“Well, maybe we will come there then, if you have the room. I don’t think anyone wants to spend it without you.”
Oh. “Well, yeah, that should be fine. I’ll discuss it with Karson.”
Her father scoffed. “It’s your home and your family. Do you really need to discuss anything with him?”
She glared. “Since you did break us up, kept us apart for nine years, and then tried to get him benched on his team, ugh, yeah, I think I need to discuss this with him. Karson is a good man, but I don’t expect him to welcome you with open arms.”
“Who am I welcoming?”
Lacey twirled around quickly to see her husband standing in the doorway, looking deliciously wet from a shower and sporting a grin just for her. His shoulders took up most of the doorway, and her insides clenched at the thought of digging her nails into them. He was undeniably sexy.
“My father,” she said, causing his face to twist in horror. Smiling, she said into her phone, “I don’t know, but I’ll let you know in the next couple days so you can make plans one way or the other.”
“Fine, that’s reasonable. I guess I will let you go.”
“Yeah, Karson just got home and we are going shopping before dinner with some friends tonight. I’ll be in touch.”
“Okay, I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” she said back and didn’t miss the way Karson looked at her. His look told her he was surprised by her sentiment to her father but also glad that she was talking to her dad. She had told her dad that Karson wouldn’t welcome him, but somewhere deep in her heart, she thought he would. He would do anything for her as long as it made her happy. She hoped he knew she would do the same for him.
Hanging up the phone, she set it on the counter before reaching for him. He came willingly, wrapping her up in his strong arms and lifting her off the ground as he kissed her senseless. Closing her eyes, she ran her fingers up the back of his neck into his hair where she held on as she kissed him long and hard. She had four days to collect all the kisses she could to get her through the two weeks without him. She wasn’t going to cheat herself of any of them.
Parting, Karson grinned down at her before saying, “Hey, wife.”
“Husband, how was practice?”
“I think I tweaked my hip, but I’m good.”
“Aw, want me to rub it later?” she said, waggling her eyebrows playfully.
He grinned as he nodded. “That’s exactly what I want. With your tongue. And then I want you to drift to the left and suck me off.”
Heat washed over her as his grin grew. “I can always depend on you to be direct,” she laughed.
“Always,” he said with a wink. “So what did your dad want? That’s odd that he called, right?”
“Yeah,” she said, twirling her fingers in the small, wet hairs at the base of his neck. “He called to say he missed me and wanted a relationship with me.”
“Really? Wow.”
“Yeah, he said he was wrong for calling your coach.”
“So he apologized? That’s surprising.”