Page 127 of What Are the Chances
They clearly didn’t know their son well. If they knew how hard he worked at the game and how skilled he was, it should have been evident that hockey was something Will would never outgrow.
Levi exhaled. “When was the last time they watched you play?”
Will laughed drily. “High school. They haven’t been to one college game. Hell, I think they sometimes forget I’ve been drafted.”
My appetite vanished in a blink. I felt like the world’s biggest asshole. Will’s own parents hadn’t supported the thing he loved most in the world. Then he’d started dating a girl who’d treated that part of his life the same way.
“No offence Will, but your parents are officially wankers in my eyes,” Grace stated. “If Levi wasn’t dragging me to Colorado, I would be at every single one of your games.”
Will chuckled lightly. “Thanks, Hughesy.”
I thought back on all the times Will had asked me to come to his game or tried talking about hockey and I’d shut him down. It’d made me feel bad at the time, but I felt even worse now. My throat suddenly felt dangerously thick. I picked up my water and took a big gulp.
I couldn’t imagine what it would be like having your girlfriend and parents not take an interest in something you loved. Especially when there were people like Grace, who was a perfect example of what it was like to go above and beyond for the person you loved. Will must look at her and wonder where the hell he’d gone wrong with me.
“You okay?” Will asked, squeezing my thigh gently.
I blinked back to the present. “Yeah, just, ugh, full.” I pushed my half-eaten burger towards him. “You can have the rest.”
I never had to worry about food wastage when Will and his friends were around. Nothing went uneaten.
Once all the plates were cleared, Levi slipped a wad of cash in the bill. “Should we get to the next place?”
Grace clapped her hands. “We’re not here to fuck spiders.”
All three of us gawked at her like she’d literally just danced naked on the table. I had no clue what the Australian translation was for that.
She sighed in defeat. “Let’s go.”
*
Rather than stay in a hotel, Levi and Will had booked an Airbnb concealed within the mountains. They’d organised the entire trip. All I’d been required to do was pack.
We’d checked out another two houses in the afternoon and had one more tomorrow before we’d road trip back then fly home.
Neither of this afternoon’s houses were modest. It was comforting that Grace was just as surprised by the grandness of them as I was.
Will had never made me feel inferior for growing up with less money than him, but today had made it clear how different our childhoods were.
The irony was that my father could’ve given Tanner and me the life Will had grown up in – large houses, frequent holidays, expensive things. But in truth, that was never what I craved from my dad. I’d just wanted a bit of attention, and as it turns out, that’s what Will had been craving too.
I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact his parents had checked out of his hockey career. Though I’d never met them, it made me like them a little less, which I knew was hypocritical, but I had my reasons. What were theirs? That they expected Will to take over the Caufield half of the family business?
In my eyes, that wasn’t even an option. If they could picture their son sitting behind a desk and wearing a neat suit each day, they clearly didn’t know their son very well.
My chest filled with anxious excitement when I heard Will climbing the stairs. While the boys had been grilling outside, Grace had helped me scourthe Airbnb for candles and had supplied my outfit. It wasn’t the best set up, but we’d made the most of what we had.
Will halted after opening the door. His gaze slowly shifted from the dozen candles lit on the dresser, then to me. He then trailed his eyeline down my bare legs before raising it to the Phil-U hockey jersey I was in. His expression was dark and I could read the appreciation dripping from him.
“What’s all this?” he asked, stepping into the room before closing the door.
“It’s a redo,” I explained. “Of the night of your draft party.”
Will went as still as the eye of a storm. Good. I wanted to get through this. It was long overdue.
“I know I was a total bitch when it came to hockey, so I never told you this.” I took an encouraging breath. “I’m proud of you.” I walked towards him, my bare feet sinking into the soft carpet. “You’re one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen.” I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck. “Your parents are the ones missing out.” I pushed onto my toes to press a soft kiss to his lips. “And I don’t want to miss out anymore. I want to be at every game, and hear about your practices, and let you complain about all the shit parts.” I smiled against his lips. “I want it all, Will. I want all of you.”
Will literally melted. “Dover.”
