Hale: A Single Dad Sports Romance (Hale Brothers)

“Why don’t you want to go to the game tonight?” I scrutinize Amelia as she sits on the couch beside me. “You love soccer—especially good soccer.”

“I have some errands to run.” She shrugs and takes a sip of her drink, cold water with a slice of lemon and some mint leaves.

“At eight p.m.?”

“My errands might or might not include running a bubble bath with some scented candles and a glass of wine.” Amelia meets my gaze, barely hiding the mischievous glint in her eye. “Piper, stop worrying. It’ll be good for you all to go to the game together.”

“I’m not sure I want to go,” I mutter, and she huffs loudly. She shifts, propping her head on her fist. “It feels way too…intimate, you know. Hunter, Story, and me. Like we’re a family.”

“Look, I get it, truly. I bet you’re scared, and worried. And probably also confused.” She gives me a gentle smile. “The guy you love showed up and confessed his feelings for you out of nowhere. Your reaction is valid. You were hurt, and you want reassurance. You want to be sure he’s serious about you two, that he means what he says. But how will you know without giving him a chance?”

My shoulders slump, and I press my palms to my burning hot cheeks. She has a point, for sure, about everything. I told him words weren’t enough, basically demanded action…and now I’m backtracking, trying to avoid him. As if hiding in my room will help me deal with my nervousness.

“I’m not being fair.”

“You’re definitely not, but at the same time…you’re warming up to him. I saw you two talking yesterday in the kitchen. Laughing, joking. Flirting.”

I open my mouth to argue, but she lifts an index finger in my face.

“You were flirting, Piper. Stop denying the obvious.”

“Fine. Maybe. I don’t know…” I move my hands up, hiding them under my hair. Threading my fingers through my locks, I keep my eyes trained on Amelia. With a long sigh, I let my shoulders slump. “Why are you so supportive? He’s your ex.”

Amelia shakes her head, her brown hair veiling her shoulders. “He’s the father of my daughter. And I want what’s best for her.” She reaches over and gently wraps her palm around my wrist, pulling one of my hands to her. “Hunter and I went through a lot of shit together. We said horrible, mean things to each other. We were never meant to be as a couple, but as parents? He’s my ride or die when it comes to Story. I love him immensely for being such an incredible dad to our little girl. And I want what’s best for him. And that’s you.”

I listen, feeling my heart hammer against my rib cage. My thoughts are in total disarray. We’ve had this talk before, but now I see things more clearly. Hunter is changing, evolving. He went back to therapy not just because Amelia told him to, but because he knew it was the right thing to do for Story…and for me.

“He was sending me emails…daily,” I whisper. “I downloaded Gmail last night, and there are a hundred from him.”

Amelia’s eyes sparkle. “What did he say?”

I hesitate, twisting my fingers and avoiding looking at her. “I didn’t open them.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because…I’m afraid. Months ago, the amount of love I had for this man was endless. It was overwhelming, and it knocked me off my feet. It felt right. And then, he let me go…and my world crashed down. I don’t want to go through that again. I want to make sure he’s changed. Then I’ll read his emails.”

“Well, that’s understandable, love. But I truly believe those emails could shake you to the core.”

I roll my eyes, not even trying to hide my smile. “I hope in a good way.”

Amelia winks at me and pats my hand again. “Tonight will be good, Piper. You won’t regret going to the game.”

“Are you hiding something from me?”

“Definitely not.” Like I’m going to believe her.

“Where are Story and Hunter? Did he tell you where they went?” I ask.

“They had some errands to run.” Amelia taunts me with another wink. “Well, that, and they needed some time alone. They missed each other.”

“I have no doubt,” I say. “I’m going back to my room. I want to read a little before I start getting ready. Do you need my help with anything?”

“Yes. I need you to get your ass out of here. Go to your room, enjoy some alone time. And get ready for the game. It’ll be big.”

“I don’t⁠—”

“Piper, you have no idea how popular Hunter is here. People know him, and they’ll recognize him. Just get ready to be photographed.” The back of my neck instantly flames up. “I can help you, if you want.”

I hesitate, just for a moment, and then I nod. “Pretty please.”

Amelia bursts out laughing and waves me off. “First just go to your room and rest. Everything will be great.”

I smile timidly and head down the hallway. Hopefully I won’t regret this. Fingers crossed, everything will be fine.

“So, what do you think?” Hunter asks, leaning down to my ear.

I sneak a glance, my eyes roaming the packed stadium. This isn’t my first Tottenham game, so I just shrug, I’m not sure what he wants to hear. “It’s…loud.”

His brows pinch together for a second, and then he chuckles lightly. “It is loud.” Hunter shakes his head, squinting at Story. She has her elbows on a little table, her chin nestled on her locked hands. Her gaze is glued to the field. “At least someone is excited.”

“Hey!” I smack his shoulder. “I’m excited. It’s my first Champions League game. Plus, I’m very curious to see Angelo play. I googled him, but seeing him play in person will be so much better.”

“I didn’t expect you to be such a fan of my best friend,” Hunter teases me.

“I’m not a fan of your best friend. I’m not even cheering for Atlético tonight,” I say pointedly. “I’ll be happy with either team winning.”

Plunging my lollipop back into my mouth, I look away from him and focus my attention on the field. It somehow helps with my nervousness—until Hunter decides to drape his arm over the back of my seat. My back is tingling, as if he’s running his fingers up and down every nerve. I tense up and sneak a glance at him.

“You can’t want both teams to win,” he insists.

I pop my lollipop out of my mouth and give him a wicked smile. “Watch me.”

His gaze darkens, and his fingers brush my shoulder. Narrowing my eyes slightly, I swirl my tongue over my lollipop. As slowly as possible. Hunter swallows hard, but no sound emerges. He licks his lips and inches over to my ear.

“That’s the plan.” My nipples pebble when I hear his words. Dammit. It’s a good thing I’m wearing a leather jacket. I don’t want him to know how much I crave his touch. How easy it is for him to turn me on. I’m still on the fence about whether I should give him a chance. “I can finally enjoy my favorite view in the world.”

“Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?” I taunt.

His palm curls around my shoulder, and I’m losing it. “You.”

My skin is scorching hot as I suck in a breath. I look around and notice curious gazes on us. Amelia chose a navy blue dress for me to wear. It ends a bit below my knees, and it fits perfectly. My hair is down; my blonde curls frame my face and highlight my cheekbones. I have nothing to worry about…and yet I’m ready to wave the white flag and leave. I bit off way more than I can chew when I agreed to come to the game with Hunter and Story.

“Daddy, can we see Angelo after the game?” Her voice is so sudden I almost jump in my seat. Hunter’s hand drops off my shoulder as he faces his daughter. My shoulders slump, and I close my eyes, letting my breath even out. These mood swings are driving me wild.

“Mr. Hale! So, the rumor I heard at the beginning of the game turned out to be true.” A guy with a broad smile approaches Hunter. Story and I linger behind him. “Did you come to see your old team play? Or…”

I look down at Story and smile. She beams at me, her fingers entwined with mine. She’s cheerful, even if it’s past her bedtime. I hope we can leave the stadium soon. Any time we mess with her routine, she has a hard time falling asleep.

The game ended in a draw, two to two. It was a nail-biting, heart-racing type of game. I enjoyed every second of it.

I’m lost in my thoughts, and a warm palm wraps around my wrist and brings me back to reality. But once I see a reporter smiling at me, I want to disappear. My gaze flicks to Hunter in a moment of sheer panic. I’m confused and nervous, but I let him pull me closer. Story also steps up to her dad, and the huge grin on her lips doesn’t leave any doubt—she knows something I don’t.

“So there’s no chance you’ll return to London? I’m sure Tottenham would be more than happy to have you back.”

“I loved my time with Spurs, but I’m in a new chapter of my life. And I couldn’t be more excited. LACFC is a great team, with players who get along, high-class management, and a very talented coach,” Hunter replies, slowly wrapping his arm around my waist. “Plus, my school will be opening its doors in September, and who knows? Maybe in a few years there’ll be more and more Americans playing in the Premier League and European championships.”

The reporter’s smile grows bigger as he sweeps his gaze over Hunter and then slides it to me. “I assume there’s another new chapter in your life. A more personal one?”

Hunter glances at me, and my heart sinks to my feet. I wanted him to do something big. To acknowledge us publicly…but now I’m ready to throw up. This is a point of no return. A moment that will change everything.

“I really hope so,” he murmurs, gazing at me lovingly. “I’m in love with an amazing woman, and I’d do anything to be worthy of her. ”

Hunter presses his lips to my cheek, and my legs give out. The only reason I’m still standing is because his strong arm is holding me close. He confessed his feelings to me. He openly admitted to a reporter that he’s in love with me. If this doesn’t show me that he’s not the same man I left, I have no idea what will.

I love Hunter Hale just as strongly as I loved him the day I walked out of his house. He loves me too, and he’s ready to change his life for me. To change himself for me.

I need to read those emails.