Lila looks at me. “Are you sure?”
“I have some time to spare.”
Lila smiles and then mouths, Thank you.
“It’s your job to keep our captain in line,” Marcel says to Max. “You think you can do that for us?”
“Yesss,” Max coos, her eyes wide with excitement.
Marcel, Benji, and Lucas say goodbye to Max. I promise to see them later at home. My dynamic with my team has been out of whack since my suspension. They’re rarely home, and when they are, I feel like an outsider.
After they disappear into the locker room, Max points her finger at me. “We have a lot of work to do, Mister.”
Chapter Twelve
Delilah
On the way home from the game, Max wouldn’t stop talking about how she’s responsible for keeping Duke in line. I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time, and I’m terrified of what losing Duke could mean for her. He agreed to teach her how to play hockey. Ted’s given her some tips and quick lessons
this past year, but an offer from Duke is a hard one to pass up, which also puts me in a very uncomfortable position.
I can’t take this opportunity away from her. Her father is hardly ever around and shows up when he feels like making time. Duke is my patient. He cannot be Ted's replacement.
Duke pulls into my driveway and surprises me when he opens my door with an adorable grin plastered on his handsome face. He opens Max’s door next, and she flies out of the SUV like it’s on fire. Still full of energy, she tugs on Duke’s hand and drags him up the walkway. He glances over his shoulder at me, and I wave them on.
“Mommy, I want to show Duke my room.”
“It’s late, Max. How about you show it to him some other time.”
“I’m not ready for bed,” she whines. “You said I could stay up later since I don’t have school in the morning.”
I look at Duke. “Do you want to come in for a drink?”
His face brightens. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Good,” Max says, threading her fingers between Duke’s. His hand is so big it dwarfs hers. “Come see my ant collection.”
Duke cocks an eyebrow at me. “Ant collection?”
“Max has a thing for bugs.”
He looks down at Max and rubs his knuckles lightly on top of her head. She peeks up at him and laughs.
“Are you giving me noogies?”
“Maybe,” Duke says as he repeats the same motion on top of her head.
She giggles as we step inside the living room. I can tell Duke likes Max. He's a natural with kids. During our sessions, I gathered that Duke misses taking care of his siblings, leaving a void in his life. A family might be what Duke is missing.
“I want hot chocolate,” Max says, leading Duke into the kitchen. She climbs onto the counter to grab the box from the cabinet and hands it to Duke.
“Give me a sec, baby. I’ll make it for you.”
“I can make it,” Duke offers. He tips his head toward the kitchen table. “Take a break.”
Max has me going twenty-four-seven. It’s been nice having Duke around tonight. I think Max and I both miss having a man around. When Ted lived here, he played games with Max and taught her all sorts of disgusting things—like collecting bugs. I’m not a fan of the ant farm in Max’s bedroom or the other animals she’s harboring, but they make her happy.
“You have to put the marshmallows in,” Max tells Duke.