Page 122 of Scarred

“If you ever call me Daddy Kane, I will personally make you eat ice at your next practice,” Kane mutters, causing Hayes to laugh.

“Geez, I never knew there was so much hatred toward being called Daddy. I hear it all the time,” Hayes grins.

“From women,” Kane hisses under his breath. “I don’t need your voice haunting me at inappropriate times.”

“Exactly,” I agree, shuddering at the thought.

“I’m flattered you think of me during inappropriate times,” Hayes says, placing a hand on his heart.

“Jesus,” I frustratedly mutter under my breath.

“It’s like talking to a goddamn toddler,” Kane mumbles.

The lights suddenly dim, saving me from the rest of this conversation as our eyes are drawn to the stage.

I watch Luna walk out, and my entire world narrows to the woman under the spotlight as she lifts the microphone. She’s wearing a pink flowy dress that hits her mid-thigh, and her hair is secured in a tight bun at the nape of her neck.

She’s beautiful under the spotlight—there is no denying that. But it isn’t the dress or the way she looks that has everyone watching her. It’s the way she lights up as she talks about those kids.

She makes every single person feel how much she loves what she does.

“Dance isn’t just learning steps or performing on stage. It's about confidence. Finding a piece of yourself that you might not have known was missing…it’s about letting go,” she says, her gaze landing on me briefly as my chest tightens, knowing she’s not just talking about dance anymore.

She’s talking about me.

“It’s trusting yourself enough to stop fighting the things you feel and being brave enough to take the next steps, even when you don’t know where it leads.”

Her eyes drift around the room, and a bright smile stretches across her face. “It’s learning to just…be.”

I think back to our first yoga session and how hard I fought to hold onto that control. She’s slowly shown me how to breathe again…how to live again.

She talks a little bit more about the recital tonight and how proud she is of the kids before applause fills the air. By the time she leaves the stage, you can feel the energy rise in the auditorium as everyone eagerly anticipates the performances tonight.

When I talked to Luna earlier, she told me Scarlett’s class would be third. Mae volunteered to help backstage with Luna’s mom and Maya. With their help, they were able to fix my poor attempt at a ballerina bun.

Big hands and tiny little bobby pins and clips do not mix very well.

And who knew so much hairspray was needed to keep it in place?

We watch the first two groups, and I recognize Luna’s nieces in a couple, along with some of the Montgomery girls. They are all really good, and I can tell they’ve been taking lessons for a while.

That and Luna’s just a damn good teacher. The kids are not just enjoying themselves up there on stage…they are thriving in it.

When the lights come back on for the third group, Luna brings out the tiny dancers. They file out one by one with pink tutus and ribbons. It’s like the whole place instantly melts as awws fill the air in unison.

Scarlett spots us right away, her face lighting up as she waves with both hands.

And just like that, she has five professional hockey players who spend their nights intimidating their opponents, fighting for the attention of a toddler wearing a glittery tutu.

“Just in case you ever question it, you are doing everything right with her,” McCormick says next to me.

“I question it every day,” I slightly chuckle.

“Don’t,” he says, looking straight ahead at my daughter. “She’ll never have to question whether she’s loved. You show up for her. Hell, all of us are proof of that today.” His fingers curl at his sides as his jaw ticks from the pressure…or maybe a memory because his eyes seem to be miles away.

He finally turns back to me, and his grey eyes are stone cold. “Never question whether you are doing enough, Blade, because I can guarantee you that she doesn’t.”

My gaze goes back to the stage as the music starts. Scarlett’s face is filled with so much joy that you can’t help but feel it.