“I’m almost done with college,” she continued. “Graduating next month, if all goes well.”
Duncan nudged her shoulder. “Of course she’ll graduate. Three point eight GPA.”
She flashed him a smile. “You remember?”
“Of course.” He looked at Dad. “Your daughter is a very bright woman. Not sure if you knew that.”
Dad frowned. “Of course I know that.”
Duncan shrugged and picked up his milkshake. “She said nobody really told her that growing up. Or cared about her marks.”
Dad’s mouth fell open and his gaze moved back to her. “Really?”
She swallowed. “You were, um, busy, Dad. And Mom didn’t pay much attention.”
“Shit.” Dad rubbed his eyes. “Of course I knew you were smart.”
Amber licked her lips and forged on. “I already have a job lined up.” She told him about her new job and what she’d be doing.
“That’s not how I ever pictured your life,” Dad said slowly. “But it seems that’s what you’re passionate about.”
“I am.”
“That’s good, then. You like living here?”
“I love this city. It has its problems, sure. Every city does. But I like the idea that I can work on those problems and make it a better place.”
“How’d you two meet?”
“At the Sin Bin.”
“Right, right. Jared Rupp owns that place, doesn’t he?”
“Yep.”
Dad fixed his eyes on Duncan. “And how about you, young man?”
Amber almost laughed at the paternal tone Dad took.
Duncan kept his chin up and met Dad’s gaze head-on. “What about me?”
“I did my research, like I said. NCAA hockey in Michigan, first round draft pick, turned pro a year later. You’re a talented player.”
“Thank you.”
“That alone doesn’t make you good enough for my daughter.”
Duncan slowly shook his head. “You’re right about that. I’m honestly not sure I am good enough for your daughter. But she seems to like me.”
Amber leaned into him and smiled.
“What else do you do besides play hockey?”
Duncan told Dad about his cottage, his love of the outdoors, the hockey camps he ran for kids in the summers, and, almost as an afterthought, all the work he did for the Mini Aces, the kids he helped play hockey throughout the season, which she knew he loved doing. “Not much of a big-city guy,” he admitted with a glance at Amber. “But I enjoy living here. More so now.”
Amber smiled.
The waitress arrived with their cheeseburgers, and for a few moments they worked on arranging plates and cutlery and passing the ketchup bottle around.
“What about you, Dad?” Amber picked up her burger. “What are your plans?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure right now. I need to find a job, obviously.”
She bit her lip. “Is that going to be difficult? Given…what happened?”
“Could be.” He took a bite of his burger. “Mmm. This is great. I’ve got a few possibilities. Can always sell cars. Maybe work as a janitor.”
Amber’s heart squeezed. This was her dad. And she still remembered how worshipped he’d been by football fans, how talented he’d been.
“Might even stay here in Chicago,” he said. “Could be good to make a clean break.”
She stared at him. “Really?”
“Oh.” Dad looked from her to Duncan. “That might be a problem for you. You wanted to get away from me, didn’t you?”
Amber’s eyes prickled. It was the truth, but hearing it said felt harsh.
“Well, I do have friends in L.A.,” Dad said. “Maybe it would be better to try to find something there.”
She hated seeing him like this. Fucking hated it. He was still her dad, and she’d loved him and idolized him as a kid.
“Are you clean, Dad?” she asked quietly. “No drugs or alcohol?”
“None. Clean.”
She nodded. “Those friends of yours…are they going to get you a real job? Or get you in trouble again?”
He met her eyes. “I know better, Amber. Believe me, I don’t want to go back to prison. Ever.” His eyes were shadowed. “Worst years of my life. Especially knowing I hurt you and your mom. I was an asshole.” He paused. “I made so many mistakes. Can’t ever make up for it. I know that.”
Emotion swirled inside her, reluctant love for him, appreciation of what he’d learned, fear that it could happen again. Forgiveness? She wasn’t sure.
“Why did you come here, Dad?”
He ate a French fry. “Just wanted to see you, honey. Make sure my little girl was doing okay. I thought about you every day I was away. And now…well, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Smart and beautiful and successful, and looks like you’ve got a good man in your life.” He gave Duncan a narrow-eyed look. “You ever hurt her, I will fuck you up.”
To Amber’s surprise, Duncan grinned. “Understood.”
He didn’t want anything. He’d asked for nothing. He just wanted to see her.