All the Sauce (IceCats 4)

Angie scoffs. “I broke my wrist, and poof! There goes my hockey career. I almost got raped and cost y’all so much in legal fees. And then after loads of therapy, I drop out of college in Nashville anyway to come to South Carolina. Still costing you money.”

Her dad looks as if he is about to blow, and even Lucy is fighting her emotions. I feel as if I should say something, but it’s actually Charlotte who speaks first. “So? We love you, Angie. None of that matters. No one is embarrassed by you. We love you. We are proud of you.”

Angie scoffs. “Char, you’re a gorgeous YouTuber, and the boys are divers. I’m just a fa—”

“An outstanding researcher in mental health,” Max says, interrupting her. “Mom raves about your grades all the time.”

“She tells us to make your grades,” Ryder says, and Charlotte agrees.

“And you’re helping people, Angie. You’re inspiring.”

Angie looks at me then, and I smile. “To me, you’re perfect.”

Angie looks down at her cheese and picks it up. “I’m sorry.”

Lucy grips her wrist. “You have to stop being so mean to yourself, honey. We love you. Owen loves you. You’ve got to love who you are.”

Benji holds up a finger. “I’d rather Adler be removed from the picture.”

I grin over at him. “Not happening, sir. I love her.”

I feel all the eyes on me as Benji stares me down. “That’s a very bold promise, Owen Adler.”

“He is a bold, gorgeous man,” Angie says, kissing my cheek. “And I love him too, Dad.”

I hold Benji’s gaze, and he isn’t the least bit happy, but I don’t care. “I want to be completely transparent with you, sir.” I clear my throat and squeeze Angie’s knee. “I know my dad made a pact with you to keep me away from her, and he failed you. But now I want to make one with you.”

He wants to cuss me out. But for some reason, he doesn’t, nor does he stop me.

“I have every intention of marrying this girl when we’re ready. I want to have kids with her and build a life with her. I know that’s hard to hear and even accept, but I need you to know it. And here is my pact.” I swallow hard, surprised by the emotion I feel. “I promise never to hurt her or make her feel anything but completely worthy. I will take a page from your book and love her the way she deserves to be loved. I’ll make sure she eats, takes her meds, and that she’s happy. I’ll buy her a jungle if she wants one. I will bring her home to see you whenever you want, and one thing is for damn sure, she will never, ever feel alone. I will always be beside her, supporting her and loving her. I told you if she wants me, I’m there. But I’m so in love with her, if she didn’t want me, I’d be sending a ton of plants and fried cheese to get her back. But I doubt that’ll ever happen. We’re too good together. We’re happy.”

I take in a deep breath, impressed by myself, but by the looks I’m getting, I realize I just word vomited all over everyone. Charlotte is looking at me like I belong in a Disney movie, the boys are two seconds from gagging, and Lucy is in awe. Meanwhile, Benji is probably plotting how to hide my body. But then I look over to Angie, and a tear rolls down her cheek. I flash her a strained grin.

“Too much?”

She cups my cheek. “So damn much, but I love you.”

Our lips meet with no concern for who sees. Benji can try to get rid of me, but I’m not going anywhere without her.

Chapter Thirty-One

Angie

* * *

With the confidence only Owen has, he looks my father in the eye while holding my hand and says, “So, yeah. I hope you accept my pact.”

Meanwhile, my dad isn’t amused or impressed. “I trusted one Adler, and I won’t make that mistake again.”

The table is in an uproar until my mom says, “Oh my God, yes, Owen. I accept it on his behalf. Thank you. We’re so happy for you two.”

I cannot stop thinking of that exchange between my dad and my boyfriend. It’s been well over twenty-four hours and so much has happened, but all I can think about is how Owen was so sure of himself and honest with my dad. He loves me. I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to wrap my head around that. I really shouldn’t be surprised, for the simple fact of who his parents are. I sat at breakfast with them, and it was like watching Owen with me. Shea Adler is hands-on with his wife and so devoted. Elli eats it up and loves Shea more than life itself. It’s beautiful to watch. I mean, my mom and dad are in love, but Shea and Elli are beyond in love.