Choices (New Beginnings #1) by Michelle Lynn

sliding in. "Why are you driving my brother's car?"
    "I don't have one in the city," he answered.
    "Oh. I'm surprised he lent it to you. This thing is his baby."
    "I told him his sister was in desperate need of a white knight." He grinned.
    "Come on then," she laughed, motioning for him to start driving. "Do your saving."  
     
    ###
     
    "Find the channel, I'll get some plates." Michaela dropped her keys on the counter and started taking the food out of the bag. She and Jason had stopped for some takeout and then headed straight for her apartment. The NHL network was doing a preseason special, so they’d hurried back.
    "With the regular season only two weeks away," the announcer began, "we are breaking down each team in order to make our predictions for the Stanley Cup playoffs."
    Michaela had a lot of memories of both regular season and playoff games growing up. The Rangers had been the only thing she had in common with her father. When she was little, he'd take her with him into the city to see them play. They bonded at those games and she began to live for them. She felt proud when she started to be able to hold her own when they talked about players and prospects. That's where her love for the game started.
    "Jason," Michaela said, holding out a plate. He broke his eyes from the TV long enough to take it. She sat next to him and watched. When they started talking about the Jackets, a picture of Josh appeared on the screen as a prospect to watch.
    "It would surprise no one if this young man was on the opening night roster," the announcer said.
    "Oh my god!" Michaela squealed. "He's going to do it!" Her excitement was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Hold that thought," She put her plate on the table and walked around the couch. She unlocked the door and swung it open.
    "Dad?" Her mouth dropped open.
    He gave her a tight smile.
    "Are you going to invite me in, or do you expect me to stand out here in the hall?" he asked, instantly sending Michaela on the defensive. She let him in anyways.
    "If I’d known you were coming, I would have cleaned up a bit more but that would've required you to call me."
    "The phone works two ways, Michaela."
    "Sorry, Dad, haven't really felt like talking to one of your secretaries lately."
    He seemed unfazed by her snipe. He’d always been good at hiding his emotions to the point where he seemed completely devoid of them.
    "I didn't come here to argue," he sighed. "I came all this way because I wanted to talk to you." Michaela knew he’d probably already been in the city for some meeting, but it was still unusual for him to see his kids even when he was nearby. "Who's this?" he asked, catching sight of Jason.
    "Dad, this is my friend Jason," Michaela said. "Jason, this is my dad."
    "It's nice to meet you, sir." Jason held out his hand and Michaela's dad took it.
    "Are you dating my daughter?" He fixed Jason with his sternest stare.
    "Dad!" Michaela yelled. "You can't just barge into my life and start asking questions. I'm sure Mom put you up to this, so you can tell her that no, I'm not dating anyone. Not like it's any of her business."
    "Your mother doesn't know I'm here. She still hasn't forgiven you."
    "For what? For saying no to Ethan and ruining her dreams of social domination?"
    "I think I'll go," Jason interrupted.
    "Don't you dare," Michaela growled, grabbing his hand.
    "Your mother is a complicated woman," her father said, paying no attention to Jason. "She only wants what’s best for you. She believes that's Ethan. I believe that’s Columbia. In a few years you could be joining my firm."
    "You never offered that to Chris, and he actually enjoys being a corporate lackey." Michaela threw her arms in the air and went into the kitchen under the guise of getting a drink. She really just needed a break. She didn't get one because her father followed her.
    "I don't appreciate that tone," he said dangerously. "I wanted Chris to be in the city. It's more conducive to his ...