Page 126 of Need You to Choose Me

Other options? “Like what?”

Mom takes over. “Pam and Dr. Rafner let me meet with a representative from a group who helps house people like me, who might not do well living on their own.”

I blink slowly. “Like a retirement home or something?”

Her smile is small. “Similar to one, yes. But they would have everything I need. Someone to help track my medicine and moods and help me stay active. It’s something I’m considering.”

Instead of living with me? Who is this woman? “Are you sure you want that? Because you hated being here. Who’s to say some group home would be any better? And where would it be? Here? In New York? What about the house in Lindon?”

“Alex,” Rafner cuts in. “Those are all great questions, but let’s take this one step at a time. Your mother is generally interested in making this happen. How about we look into the details, so you can be part of the process. Nothing has to be decided yet. We’re taking baby steps.”

Baby steps.

My mother is taking baby steps.

Her smile grows. “I want you to have the world. That’s all your father and I ever wanted for you. It’s at your fingertips. I’m going to make sure you get it. The way I should have this whole time.”

It’s hard to swallow past the lump in my throat. How long has it been since Mom truly tried to be a mother? I don’t even know the answer to that.

“Okay, Ma.” I let myself accept that. “If this is what you want, I’ll back you. We do this together.”

My mother’s whole face brightens. “Make me a promise, Alexander.”

I swallow. “Anything.”

“Let me be part of your life with her,” she says softly. “Visit me. Together. One day.”

Olive.

She’s talking about Olive.

One day.

Damn do I love the sound of that.

*

Maybe it wasthe hope in my mother’s words that settled into the depths of my mind and made me glide onto the ice with my head held high and nothing to prove. Or maybe it was Nelson and Moskins joking that my spot was about to be filled by a new rookie that lit a fire under my ass.

Either way, I’m on fire today.

Adrenaline courses through me as I slam Moskins into the boards and grin as I skate away from him as he cusses me out. It takes me no time at all to steal the puck from my teammate, using my stick to collide with the defense and make my quick getaway to the goal.

Three minutes and six seconds into the game, I score the first goal. The guys placed on my team yell across the ice, making Smithy’s smile curl further down his lips.

“Better luck next time,” I tell him unapologetically.

He shakes his head. “Save it for our actual game, O’Conner.”

My grin grows. “Oh, trust me. I’ll have plenty of emotions to channel then too.”

Especially if I come face to face with Devin Parks, who always makes my life hell whenever our teams compete against each other. All because I accidentally knocked out his front tooth during a college game years ago. It happens.

He just never let it go.

Coach Pelfrey smirks when I skate back into formation when he blows the whistle. He adjusts his clipboard under his arm.“Nice work, O’Conner. Keep doing that and I’ll make sure you’re on the starting roster. Hear me?”

Something inside me perks up. “I hear you, Coach.”

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