Page 175 of Stick It
“Fine?!”I wince at her screech. “Dylan Rae Callahan, from what I am told, you nearly drowned in the team’s hydro pool. You are most definitelynotfine.”
I wince again, this time at the accuracy of her words.
Her face crumples. “My baby was hurt. Of course I’m going to be here. Where else would I be?”
I close my eyes, lifting my hands to squeeze her wrists, her hands still cupping my face. I’m overwhelmed by the sheer love pouring from her. When I open them again, Bear is watching us with something soft and almost broken in his eyes.
“How are you feeling?” Mom asks, brushing my hair back again, her hands trembling.
“Sore,” I admit, “but better.”
She gives me one of thosemomlooks, and I smile despite everything that has gone down in the past twenty-four hours. God, how I have missed that look. Her soft touch. That feeling of being loved. Tears prick the backs of my eyes.
“I swear, Mom. I’m feeling better.” Bringing her hands together in mine, I give her a teary smile. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” She finally sits down again but doesn’t relinquish her tight grip on me. “It’s so good to see you too.” Her eyes run over me affectionately, tinged with sadness. “You look so grown up.” Her smile is watery. “I swear, you look more and more like your father every day.”
I can feel heat in my cheeks as my eyes drop to the bedsheet. My father is still such a sore subject, especially between us. I never know if talking about him will make her smile or set her off…
Mom squeezes my hand tighter. “He would be proud of you, baby. So, so proud.”
The lumpin my throat grows to an unbearable size, but before I can respond, the door bursts open and a whirlwind of noise floods in.
Ethan. Finn. Jax. Griffin.
They barrel into the room, all urgency and panic, until they come to a screeching halt, noticing my mom’s presence.
For a beat, the room freezes.
Mom straightens instinctively, smoothing her hair and her shirt, eyes wide as she takes them all in. For a moment, we all just look at one another.
“Well, Dylan, dear, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”
I cough to hide my laugh. “Uh, Mom, these are…some of my teammates.” I introduce them each in turn, and one by one, they step forward, offering polite handshakes and greetings.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Ethan, of course.
“Your daughter is reshaping the whole team this year,” Jax tells her with a flash of that smile that always renders me speechless.
“She’s keeping us on our toes,” Finn admits.
Griffin steps up last. He doesn’t say anything, but he nods in respect, his gaze lingering the longest on my mother before flicking to me. There are questions there, ones I can’t answer now.Later, I mouth.
Mom’s smile wobbles but holds. “It’s very nice to meet you boys. Thank you…for looking after her.”
They all glance at each other like they’re not sure what to say to that. Mom’s words dredge up bad memories, and the air in the room suddenly feels heavy with guilt. Even if I don’t blame them one bit for what happened yesterday.
Thankfully, we’re saved from further awkward conversation by the ringing of Bear’s cell. He pulls it out and glances at the screen. “I need to take this. I’ll be right outside.”
The second the door swings closed behind him, the guys turn their full attention to me.
“How are you feeling?” Ethan demands, crowding closer.
“Any pain?” Jax’s face is etched with concern.
“You scared the sh—eh…” Finn glances sheepishly at my mother.
“I’ve spent more than enough time around hockey players, dear. You don’t have to censor your words for me.”
