A Perfect Distraction(33)
No, raising the Cup in Adam’s honor wouldn’t repay a fraction of the debt Jake owed, but it was all he had. And he wouldn’t let anything or anyone interfere with that.
* * *
“ARROGANT JERK.”
Maggie drained her wine. She felt like throwing her glass at Jake’s head. “Patronizing, high-handed git.”
She’d fumed about his comments since leaving the barbecue. Now, as she and Tracy relaxed in the living room, her anger bubbled over. “How dare he insinuate that I don’t know how to bring up my daughter? What is it about sports stars? Just because they’re good at playing with a ball doesn’t make them experts at everything.”
“They play with a puck in hockey,” Tracy said calmly.
“Puck, ball, whatever. The point is the same.”
Her sister raised an eyebrow. “What did Jake say to upset you?”
“I’m a terrible mother because I don’t want Emily to play hockey.”
“Really? Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand?”
“Okay, he didn’t say it quite like that, but it’s what he meant. It didn’t cross his narrow mind that I might have a good reason for not letting her play such a violent sport.”
No sooner had she considered letting down her guard than he’d proved her fears were justified. “He refused to listen to me, then criticized my parenting skills. Just like Lee.”
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting?” Tracy asked softly. “You seemed to be getting on well.”
Maggie started to disagree, then stopped. She and Jake had got on well. It had been a wonderful, relaxed afternoon. Seeing Jake with family and friends had proved he was more than just a charming facade.
She liked him. Liked being with him, liked spending time with him.
His criticism had stung because it had been unexpected.
Was she being unfair?
“Possibly,” she admitted. “But he kept pushing even after I’d told him no.”
“He probably got carried away. The man has lived and breathed hockey since he was a kid. You can’t blame him for wanting to share his passion.”
Unknowingly, her sister hit on the source of Maggie’s frustration. She’d been fighting her attraction to him all day. Even now, her pulse skipped as she recalled the tingling brush of his thumb against her lips. The caress of his breath against the sensitive skin of her neck when he’d murmured in her ear.
She frowned. “Why are you taking Jake’s side?”
“I’m not. He handled the situation badly.” Tracy sipped her wine. “That doesn’t mean you should reject his idea out of hand. Hockey’s not that bad.”
“It’s not ideal for a seven-year-old girl, either. I don’t want her teeth knocked out.”
“They don’t play hard at her age and they have decent protection. It’s no more dangerous than playing football and she loves that.”
“I suppose I could check it out,” Maggie said grudgingly. “Em seems really keen. But if I don’t think it’s appropriate, I won’t let her play.”
“That’s your prerogative and I’ll support you one hundred percent.” Tracy refilled their wineglasses. “I’m glad to see you standing up for yourself again.”
Maggie started at the change of subject. As she considered her sister’s words, she realized Tracy was right. She was behaving more like the person she used to be before she’d married Lee. A warm glow of pride filled her.
“I wonder why I’m able to stand up to Jake and yet I took everything Lee threw at me?”
“Maybe because Jake treats you properly, most of the time.”
“Perhaps.” Could it be that simple?
“The point is you’re back to being the brave, bold Maggie we know and love. The one who left home at eighteen with only her savings and a typing certificate.”
“As opposed to Margaret, Lee’s meek mouse of a wife?” She’d hated him using her full name as much as she’d hated the control he’d had over her.
“It wasn’t your fault. He was so loving and attentive. No one could have guessed what he was really like.”
“You did.” Tracy had never liked Lee.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Lee spun his web around you slowly so that by the time he showed his true colors, you were well and truly trapped.”
Maggie felt ashamed. She should have been able to see what was happening. “Still, I shouldn’t have put up with him for so long. I put Emily in danger because I wasn’t strong enough to leave sooner.”
“Luckily, you had enough of your old self in you to be able to walk out on the bastard when you had to.”