Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Mom.” We haven’t seen each other since Christmas Eve. I went to her place, as planned, only to find a new boyfriend crashing there. He was drunk and acting like he owned the place. They had met a week or so prior, and my mother swore he was a good guy, but from what I saw, he was just another freeloader. I packed up Lacey, her presents and called my sister to tell her I had her daughter and to come to my house after work. I wasn’t going to allow my niece to have her Christmas ruined by my mother.
“You haven’t returned my calls.”
“I have nothing to say.”
“Kyler—”
I hold my hand up. “Listen, I have done everything I can to help you. I give you money, pay your bills, and worry about where you’re going to live when this sale of the land finally goes through. I’m at my breaking point, Mom.”
“You just don’t understand.”
“Then explain it to me? Please? Tell me why some low-life with no job is better than your children or your granddaughter? Tell me why you can’t seem to pull yourself out of this funk? Tell me why you can’t hold down a job? What is it?”
“Your father,” she pauses. I feel she doesn’t know what to say because she’s used him as an excuse for far too long. She shakes her head. “You ruined my Christmas,” is what she says instead.
I nod and bite the inside of my cheek. There are so many thoughts running through my mind right now, like how she ruined my childhood and how she’s doing everything she can to ruin my life. I should feel like the king of hockey right now, but I’m stressing about where my mother will get money for groceries. Oh, I know. I’ll take another fight and see how many ribs I can break, just for her.
Instead of answering her, I sigh and step past her. There really isn’t anything to say to her right now that won’t make me regret my words later.
“Kyler!”
“What?” I ask as I turn around. “What do you possibly need from me?”
When she doesn’t say anything, I say it for her. “Money? Is that why you’re here?”
She nods, and it takes me a minute to realize this is never going to end with her, especially if I make it to the NHL. I turn back around and head for home. If I’m lucky, she won’t follow, but we all know I’m the unluckiest person in the world right now.
Every so often, I check behind me. She’s not there. It doesn’t mean she won’t show up, and for once, I’m thankful I won’t be home. I hadn’t planned to go to Saul’s, but now it’s the only place I want to be.
Saul’s house on New Year’s Eve is everything I need it to be. He managed to tap the keg without my help and told me there was only beer, so no need for a bartender. Saul is making me a very happy man tonight.
With my red Solo cup filled, I check out the scene. The men’s and women’s hockey teams are here, as well as both basketball teams. We’re the two winter sports playing through vacation, and there are a few non-athletes here, which is nice to see. Saul and the other guys who live here have an excellent sound system set-up, and music blares through the house. Outside, they have a burn barrel going, which gives off enough heat so you’re not freezing if you venture out back.
That’s where I am, enjoying my beer, the thumping music, and the fire when Thea comes into view. It takes her a minute to see me, but when she does, her smile beams. Damn, she’s beautiful.
“Hey,” she says as she sits down next to me.
“Hey, yourself. Did you just get back?”
“No, I was at the game.”
“You were?” This takes me by surprise because I usually see her sitting next to the bench.
“Yeah. Congrats on the hat-trick.”
I bow my head. “Thanks. Where’s Millie?”
“With Nolan.”
“What’s going on with them?” I ask, even though it’s none of my business.
Thea shakes her head. “No clue. I ask, and Millie shudders at the thought of him. I don’t get it.”
Strange indeed.
“What are you drinking?” I ask her.
“Beer. It’s not my fave, but no liquor.”
This pleases me. “Want me to go home and make you something different?”
Thea looks in her cup and then shakes her head. “I’ll be okay. It’s probably best I don’t get drunk.”
I’ll never let anything happen to you. I wish I could say this to her. “How was Christmas?”
“It was good.”
I’m thankful she doesn’t ask about mine. “Can I ask you something personal?”
“Of course.”
“Did you get back together with Adam?”
Thea’s eyes go wide. “Hell no. I don’t have anything to say to him. It’s sad, really, after all those years.” She shrugs and takes a drink. “I thought I’d be sad, but I’m not. I don’t even miss him. I cleaned my room when I was home, packed away every memory. Never shed a tear the entire time. I think, at some point, Adam and I cared more about our popularity than anything.” Thea shakes her cup—it’s empty. “I’m going to get another drink.”