Page 53 of Snapping the Ice
“Seriously? That’s awesome.”
“She has a gay son.” My heart pricked. Would this restart a conversation about Mom? “She’s a very nice lady.”
“She sounds like it,” she said. “How do you feel about that? Knowing she’s a mother who’s fine having a gayson?”
“I won’t lie, it hurt a little,” I said in a soft voice. I dipped my head. Here it came…
“You should try calling Mom. If she hangs up on you?—”
“Then it will hurt even more.” I gritted my teeth. Some things were better left alone. “Maddy, I’ve made my peace with it.” But had I? Does a person ever get over having parents disown you?
“Okay, I’ll drop it for now. At least you have this lovely woman to help you. What’s her name?”
“It’s Stella.” I rubbed my brow. Thank God she didn’t want to dwell on this. “I think I’ll buy her some flowers. She deserves something for helping me.”
“That’s a great idea. Maybe you two could talk over coffee?”
I sighed. “Yeah, maybe.” Though, I think the woman was missing her son.
“Okay, well, keep me updated on how it goes this week. What’s on your work agenda? Will you be in the studio much?”
“It’ll be about half and half. I’m shooting a wedding on location and a family portrait session in the studio. Plus, I still have to finish editing photos for the calendar.” Tension wound through my body. I had so much to finish this week, along with the bullshit with Tate.
“Just be careful, Ezra. And call me.” She huffed.
“I will. Love you, sis.” I glanced at the television, the announcers going over footage of other games while Lucas’s game was in intermission. “Bye.”
“Bye, I love you too.” She ended the call.
I sank into the couch with a long exhale. I’d take the flowers to Stella tomorrow and update her onthe court order.
The next morning, I’d filed the order of protection using my address, the studio and Lucas’s address and the judge had approved it, with help from the video footage and Stella’s eyewitness accounts to the police when she’d called them. Last night, I’d had a quick call with Lucas. He’d been ecstatic about his win, and we’d had little time to talk. I strode to my studio. It was time for editing.
Unlocking the door, I went inside, switched on soft lights, and examined the equipment. The judge said they would serve the order on Tate today or within a few days. How would he react? Would it make him even more angry? Serving the papers would give him Lucas’s address, if he didn’t already know it. At least I had the comfort of a few extra patrol cars around me.
I fell into my desk chair and logged into my computer. I’d lose myself in images for the next few hours.
Later in the afternoon, pounding tore through the room. “Ezra? I know you’re in there.”
I startled while enhancing an image of Evan. “Fuck.” It was Tate. I’d just tune him out like last time. Maybe they hadn’t served his papers yet. I opened the drawer housing my headphones.
“If you think a fucking restraining order will keep me away, you’re sorely mistaken.”
My eyes snapped open. “Oh, fuck.” I twisted in my desk chair, staring at the door. He couldn’t get in here, right? The door was metal.
Heavy clanging broke the silence.
Was he hitting the door with something? A bat maybe? Fuck. What should I do? Call the police? He said he’d been served.
The clanging started up again. “Come out here and face me, you coward.” Pause. “I know your hockey boy is gone. He’s on the road, isn’t he, Ezra?”
My heart jolted, and my body trembled. He’d been doing his research. But then I’d expected it. I fisted and opened my hands at my sides.
“Come on, baby. I only want to talk.”
“Fuck.” Nausea balled in my gut. I needed to tune him out. If I listened to him sweet talk me, I might give in.
“Please, Ezra. I deserve some explanations, don’t I?” Scraping sounded on the door. “Don’t leave me hanging like this. We were good together, remember? Remember our trip to Cabo? We had such a good time.”
