Page 34 of The Love Comeback
“Really?” Colton sets the remnants of his pizza down, which is just a thin piece of crust. “You think I can make it?”
“I do.” I glance at Ella as she shrinks into herself even more so. This surprises me. I thought she’d be excited.
“Yes!” Colton grabs his napkin and wipes off his greasy hands. “I’m gonna be one of the cool hockey kids at school!”
“Yeah, for sure,” I say, reaching into my pocket and grabbing a couple of twenties. “And why don’t you go take this, get some change, and hit the arcade? That way, Ella and I can talk about it all for a few minutes.”
Colton’s eyes grow wide, but he eagerly accepts the bills. “Thank you so much! You’re the best!”
Ella winces.
What’s wrong with you, El?
I wait for a few moments, letting Colton get well out of earshot, all the while watching Ella pick at the meat on her pizza. She just peels a pepperoni off and then places it right back where it was. Over and over again.
“So…” I begin as soon as we’re in the clear.
“So…” she echoes, never looking up from her plate.
“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you, or should I just pretend I don’t notice that you’re upset?”
She exhales slowly, her fingers now fiddling with the paper napkin in her lap. “I’m not upset.”
I raise a brow. “Ella, I’ve known you since we were fourteen. I can tell when something’s wrong.”
“It’s nothing,” she insists, but the way she avoids my eyes tells me it’s definitely something. “Just … do you really think it’s possible Colton will make the travel team?”
“I do,” I say without hesitation. “Why?”
She bites her lower lip, a battle clearly raging behind her eyes.
And that’s when it clicks.
The travel team. The costs.Money.
I’m not oblivious to the reality of Ella’s situation. Single guardian, teacher’s salary, raising a child who isn’t biologically hers. I know she must be stretched thin, and youth hockey isn’t exactly budget-friendly. Between equipment, league fees, travel expenses … it adds up fast.
“It’s … expensive,” she admits before I can say anything, her voice barely audible over the restaurant noise. “Really expensive. Ilooked it up after practice today,” she goes on, her eyes darting to the arcade to make sure Colton is still occupied. “The fees alone are over a thousand dollars, and that’s before equipment, travel costs, tournament fees…” She trails off, shaking her head. “It’s just not in our budget right now.”
The defeated slump of her shoulders causes a protective surge to shoot through my chest.
“I can help,” I offer immediately, keeping my voice casual even as my heart races. “It would be no problem for me to cover—”
“No.” The word is firm, definitive. Ella sits up taller, pride straightening her spine. “Absolutely not.”
“Ella—”
“You’re already giving him free skating lessons, Kade. That’s more than enough.” Her voice softens slightly. “I appreciate the offer, I really do. But I can’t accept that kind of charity.”
I wince at the word. “It’s not charity.”
She shakes her head again, more firmly this time. “I’m his guardian. It’s my responsibility to figure this out, not yours.”
“I just want to help,” I say, unable to let this go.
“I know.” Her expression softens as she looks at me. “Andyouarehelping—more than you know. The skating lessons are huge for him. Not just the skills, but having you in his life. As a role model.” She swallows hard. “That’s worth more than any team membership.”
Her words warm something deep inside me, but they don’t erase my concern.How can I make her understand that Iwantto pay for it? I would’ve paid for it regardless of her financial situation.
