Page 126 of Fall For Me
“Awww. This is cute,” I tease, striding into Dad’s office.
Sean and Dad jerk apart, shifting uncomfortably and clearing their throats.
“Oh, don’t stop on my account,” I laugh.
“Actually, Doc, I was just about to leave to come find you. We have some stuff to take care of,” Sean says.
“We do?” Carter asks, then adds, “Ohhh. That’s right . . . we do.”
“Luke, we’ll talk later,” Sean says, then turns to me and winks. “Coach . . . I’ll see you at home.”
Without another word, he bolts out the door with Carter hot on his heels, leaving me to stare after them.
“Since when does Sean call you Luke?” I turn my head to look at my father and notice the puffiness in his eyes. “Are you okay? Why are your eyes so red?”
“Oh, my contacts are giving me trouble today.” He waves me off and turns to gaze out the window. “What’s up?”
I stride over to him and place my hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry for what I said. You’ve always put me first, and I threw that in your face.”
“I never expected anything from you, Sport,” he says, turning from the window. “I just wanted to do what was best for you. That didn’t come with any conditions.”
“I know. I put that pressure on myself, and it was wrong to blame you for it.”
“Thank you. I really needed this today,” he chokes out.
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I squeeze him tight, listening to the rapid rhythm of his heart beating.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Dad?”
“Yeah. I’m okay, Sport. More than okay, actually. You just grew up way too quick.” He pulls back and gives my chin a soft pinch like he used to when I was little. “You looking forward to Vegas?”
“I cannot wait!” I beam, grinning from ear to ear in excitement. “Sean and I are gonna do something wild and crazy while we’re there.”
Dad tilts his head to the side, brows knitting together in confusion. “You’re not gonna pull a Carter and River, are you?”
“Now, there’s an idea. One son-in-law, coming right up,” I tease.
“It’s . . . ummm.” Pressing my lips firmly together, I squeeze my eyes tight, trying really hard not to cry. “It’s . . .”
Jeez. I can’t even speak. I cover my mouth, and a sob bursts from between my lips.
“Is this a bad thing, mate?” The tattoo artist, Jake, asks, his voice thick with an Aussie accent.
“Nah, man, it’s a good thing . . . A really good thing. Come here, mi amor.” Sean turns me around, and I rest my forehead against his chest until I can compose myself.
I originally wanted a tattoo that covered my entire chest, but Jake designed a cascade of pastel pink flowers that drift along each collar bone and bloom across the top of each shoulder, then spill down the sides of my chest and wrap around to cover the scars.
Once I’ve collected myself, I spin back around to face Jake. “It’s beautiful, and everything I never knew I wanted. I really can’t thank you enough.”
“It was an honor, Hannah.” Jake raises a brow at Sean, and points at his arm. “Now, if the likes of you tells a single soul I was responsible for . . . well, whatever that is, I’ll tell ‘em you’re a bloody liar. Especially if you tell ‘em that’s an elephant. The thing looks more like a giraffe.”
I look down at the new tattoo on Sean’s forearm and burst out laughing as I pull on my top.
“Don’t let my Goddaughter hear you say that.” Sean laughs.
“That kids clearly got you wrapped around her little finger,” Jake says.
“You have no idea.” Sean pulls Jake into a hug and slaps him on the back. “It was good to see you, man. Thanks again.”
