Page 116 of Nodus Tollens
His honesty struck me. Would I be able to make him happy? It was such a simple yet broad answer that had me thinking way more than I needed, too. Especially with what was transpiring right now.
“So, you’re saying you’re not happy now?” Mal leaned forward, elbows on the table and an even more confused expression on his face.
“I am happy.” Hayes glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “But I don’t find the same happiness in hockey I used to.”
“What about our dream?” Mal banged a palm against his chest. “What about twelve-year-old Mal and Hayes, whose ultimate dream and goal was to be the best of the best? You’re just gonna pretend that was never our goal? Our dream?”
“We were kids, Mal. What do you want me to say?” Hayes chuckled, but Mal didn’t find it amusing. “People change. Our wants out of life change, and I’m not the same Hayes you knew all those years ago. I want something different.”
Rolling his eyes, Mal threw himself back into his chair, causing it to slide along the floor and a few inches away from the table.
“It’s still possible for you. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll get drafted…”
“Don’t.” Mal interrupted and pushed himself out of the chair to stand. “I don’t want to hear any more bullshit come out of your mouth tonight. Nothing you can say will make me understand, so let’s just fuckin’ leave it at that.”
With one last look at Hayes, Mal disappeared out of the dining room. The sound of a door slamming shut signaled his departure outside.
“Hayes, I think…” Shelia softly began to say until Hayes cut her off.
“Not now, Mom. Okay?”
Though she nodded as if she understood, her eyes glistened with tears. You could tell it was hard for her not to console her son or at least talk to him. Even I was struggling sitting next to him, but I couldn’t come up with the right words to say.
“Son…” His dad added, but he was also shut down.
“Dad, please.” He huffed, then slowly peered over at me. His usual shining eyes looked heavy. There were no signs of tears, but I could sense the sorrow that lingered in their depths. The need to hug him overpowered every other thought I had. With a sad smile, he reached for my hand.
“I’m sorry you had to hear that.” He apologized, causing my fingers to tighten around his warm, sweaty palm.
“Hayes…” I drew out his name in a whisper as I searched those beautiful, soul-stirring eyes for answers. His face softened, almost like looking at me was an alleviant for him, but he rose to his feet with a sigh. Hand still in mine, he gave it a firm squeeze before dropping it.
“I just… I need a minute, Blue.”
My heart dropped in worry, but I knew I had to let him go.
“I’ll be back. I promise.” He gave me a dismal smile before leaning over and dropping a kiss on top of my head. Closing my eyes, I soaked in his touch before his lips and presence vanished out of the room, leaving me alone with his parents. The silence was deafening as I sat with my palms resting in my lap and my eyes cast downward.
Nothing was said for a few minutes. All we could do was process what had happened. I wanted nothing more than to follow Hayes, but when both his parents stood up at the same time, I remained frozen in my chair.
“I’m so sorry you had to witness that, Wren… That… wasn’t okay for them to do that over dinner.” She looked torn as her bottom teeth nervously chewed on her lip. Greg, noticing her distress, slowly rounded the table to where she stood and pulled her in close.
“Come on, Shelia.” Greg said while his mouth brushed the side of her head. “Let’s go talk to them.”
She nodded with a sigh and glanced at me.
I smiled sadly, and as they walked out, I stood. I didn’t want to stay sitting here as I felt the emotions and anger still lingering in the air. Not even the bright color of the room could fix that. So, with Hayes’ room in mind, I began to make my way there when I glanced out the back patio door. The sky was what drew me in at first as I rested a palm on the glass in awe.
It looked huge.
Wide and filled with endless stars, I found myself opening the door until something stopped me. Or should I say, someone.
Out in the center of the yard was Mal. Standing with his back to me, he was peering off into the sky just as I found myself doing. His head of dark curls tipped back, and his broad back flexed with each heavy breath he took. Everything inside me told me to stay inside and just go to Hayes’ room. It wasn’t worth it to expose myself to his wrath, especially when he was most likely still vibrating from the argument.
But no one was out here with him yet.
No one was asking if he was okay, and it hit me. He may have been in the wrong, but he deserved to be heard. He deserved someone to understand and listen to his reasonings, and although he may immediately kick me out of his space, I couldn’t just not try. Hayes had his parents right now, but Mal had no one.
So, taking in a much-needed breath, I rolled my shoulders, mentally preparing myself for his fury, and walked out into the lion’s den.
