He eyed her and then nodded. “Yeah.”

Taking in a deep breath, she held on to his arms as she admitted, “This is my second pregnancy. The first one, I lost. That’s why I’m so nervous.”

His face didn’t move, and she wasn’t sure he was breathing as seconds passed. “When?”

“Right before the Olympics,” she said quietly, and he nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t tell anyone. I just let it be. I had a medal to win, and I didn’t want you guys worrying about me or telling me to wait.”

He nodded once more. “That’s understandable, I guess, but I would have been there for you.”

“I know,” she answered softly. “But I had it.”

“My prideful, headstrong, bratty-ass little girl,” he said fondly, shaking his head. “Okay, fine, but you let that go, you hear me?”

She nodded. “I am trying.”

“Try harder,” he demanded. “The stress will eat ya alive, and you don’t need that.”

“I know.”

He then let out a long breath. “Was it Jordie’s?”

“Yeah,” she whispered and she felt him tense up.

“Man, that boy is lucky I love him,” Karl muttered and Kacey smiled.

“He’s not that person anymore.”

“Oh, I know,” he agreed. “’Cause if he was, he’d be dead.”

Kacey laughed at that as her daddy smiled, holding her closer. He kissed her temple and whispered, “You know you’re my favorite, right?”

She scoffed. “Liar.”

He grinned. “You are. So is Karson.”

She rolled her eyes, giggling until she heard a voice that she did not want to hear say, “Karl? Is that you?”

Her dad turned, taking Kacey with him as Stacey walked toward them with Phil beside her.

“Kacey?” she asked again, and then it must have dawned on her because she laughed. “That’s right, she’s your daughter.”

“That’s right,” Karl said, squeezing her. “What are you up to?”

“Well, since Phil got glass seats, we got private parking,” she said in a snooty way. “What are you doing?”

“Waiting for Jordie.”

She scoffed. “That son of mine hates me apparently,” she said offhandedly. “But whatever.”

Even with the façade she put on, Kacey could tell she was hurting, which surprised her.

“Well, if you treated him a little better, maybe he would like you,” Karl supplied and she gave him a dry look.

“You know, I should have never had kids anyway,” she said, letting out a long breath. “It’s fine. He’ll make it.”

Kacey bit the inside of her cheek, wanting to scream at her for not wanting to be in his life. For not loving him and doing right by him, but she knew it would be a waste of her breath.

“He will,” Karl agreed. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Good luck with that. He’s all kinds of messed up,” she laughed. “He’s an ‘alcoholic,’” she added with air quotes, and something snapped inside of Kacey.

“Yes, he is, and instead of making fun of him, you should be proud because he is fighting it. He has completely changed, become the person he wanted to be with no help from anyone but himself. He is amazing, he is strong, and you are a fucking bitch for not seeing that!”

“Whoa, now,” Karl said, but he doubted either of them heard him.

“Listen to me, you little shit, he is worthless and he will hurt you. Mark my words. He doesn’t have a loving bone in his body. He may think he does, but he’ll shut you out in no time! He does it to everyone.”

“No, he did it to you because you are worthless and a horrible person! He loves me and I love him. I am there for him, I am his rock, and you are nothing.”

“I think everyone needs to calm down,” Phil said, but Stacey threw her hand up, stopping him as she glared at Kacey.

“You nothing about me—”

“And she won’t, ever, because you aren’t in my life,” Jordie said, stepping in front of Kacey. “Goodbye, Stacey,” he said sternly as Kacey moved out from behind him to see Stacey’s wide eyes.

“Oh, really? It’s Mom to you, buddy,” she sneered, but he shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing because there is nothing else to say to one another. Goodbye,” he said once more and then turned, cupping Kacey’s shoulders. “Come on, baby, let me get you home.”

“Jordie Scott, I am not done talking to you!” she yelled as Jordie directed Kacey to the truck and helped her in.

“Well, I think he’s done talking to you,” Karl said with a laugh.

Ignoring his mom, Jordie said, “Karl, I’ll take you home.”

“I can get a ride with Karson.”

“He took Benji home,” he commented before closing Kacey’s door. She tried to roll down the window to hear but the car wasn’t started, so she could only watch. Their voices were muffled as Stacey yelled and yelled at Jordie, but he completely ignored her, getting into the truck, with her father getting in at the same time.

“Fuck you, Jordie—” Her words were cut off as he slammed the door shut.

“Fucking bitch,” Karl muttered and Jordie shrugged.

“Who? I didn’t hear anything,” he said simply and Kacey reached over, taking his hand. As he sent her a grin, her heart sang. She had been so worried, but it was obvious.