Page 29 of Playing the Pucking Game
Tomorrow. I’ll do it tomorrow.
She’ll be back at work, Linc will be at the rink, and I can start rebuilding before my first shift the day after.
I just need today to wallow.
Casey stays with me, chatting about everything and nothing for hours. We order lunch, and she keeps me distracted from reality until voices filter down to us a few hours later.
Light footsteps race our way, and I smile.
“Parker,” Sutton cries before jumping into my lap and wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
The sound of paper crinkling hits my ears as she holds me, and my chest tightens.
“What have you got there?” I ask as she pulls back.
“I made you a new one,” Sutton says with a wide, proud smile as she holds her replacement drawing between us. “And I think this one is better.”
I stare at it, tears blurring my vision.
“It’s beautiful, Sutton,” Casey says.
“I love it,” I force past the lump in my throat. “Thank you so much.”
“Linc said you can put it on the fridge,” Sutton informs me.
“Oh, is that right?” I ask, twisting to look over my shoulder just as the man in question places some bags on the kitchen island. “What’s all that?”
Linc spins around, his eyes locking on mine.
“I’ll show you later,” he says, and I swear his cheeks get a little pink.
I hold his gaze for a beat before focusing on the bags.
“Did you go to Sephora?”
“Umm…” Linc hesitates, rubbing the back of his neck.
“We should go,” Kodie says to Casey.
“Ow,” Sutton complains. “I like Linc’s place. Can I see your gym?”
Linc looks from her to Kodie before promising, “Next time you come over, you can totally check out my gym.”
Sutton looks a little disappointed, but she doesn’t argue.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Casey says as she pulls me in for a hug. “But if you need anything, if you change your mind about moving in with us, call me, yes?”
“Yes, Mom,” I tease.
“Oh, and call your parents. It’ll only get worse the longer you leave it.”
“I know, I will,” I promise. The prospect of confessing my failings to my parents fills me with dread.
They’re going to be so disappointed. They raised me to be more responsible.
I know they’ll help me out if I ask. Dad’s hockey career might have been cut short due to injury, but my parents have never struggled for money. He coached after retiring, but two years ago, he decided he was done for good. They downsized their house, and they’ve pretty much been travelling the world ever since, enjoying the time they have left and the money Dad worked so hard to earn.
I’m beyond happy for them, and I love getting postcards from each place they visit. I need to tell them I’m no longer at my apartment if I want to receive any more.
