Page 54 of Christmas on Ice
“Mommy!”
“You can open it, Ryleigh.”
“It’s okay. I know it’s a bad time. I just wanted to bring Ryleigh her gift. Do you want me to come by your parents’ house later? When it’s a better time?”
She sighed and shook her head. “No. I’m not sure what we’re doing later. So much is still up in the air.”
“I’m sure. But now that he’s awake … Will you be coming home with me tomorrow?”
“No. I can’t go back to Colorado yet. They’ll release him tomorrow, but he’ll have to stay in South Carolina for a while. Ryleigh needs to spend time with him. This coming weekend is his weekend with her and—” She looked back at him.
“Mommy! Daddy! It’s a puppy! Oh,thank you, Mr. Tiggerman!” Ryleigh flew to my arms. “Santa didn’t bring me one. Grandpa Silly said he probably just forgotted and maybe he’ll ’member next year. But I like this one!”
“Yeah? I’m glad. What are you going to name it?”
She cocked her head in thought, then jumped in excitement. “Tigger Bale!”
Kami’s snort set off the three of us into laughter.
“Sure, just act like I’m not even here.” Sutton pouted. “Steal my family from right under my nose.”
Both Ryleigh and Kami stiffened. I spoke softly to Kami. “I can get some time off to stay here with you. I want to support you.”
“No, Trask. Your team needs you.”
What she didn’t say was clear: She didn’t need me. I felt them slipping away from me, and it ripped my heart in two.
“Message heard,” I said tightly. “I’ll see you when I see you.” I bent down to Ryleigh, who was clutching her puppy with one arm and her mother’s leg with the other. “Merry Christmas, Ryleigh.” I kissed her head, stood up, and strode out the door without looking back.
Third “no” in a row. It was barely a breakup because we hadn’t really had a chance to get started.
So why did this breakup hurt worse than the last two?
28
Kami
Ifelt awful sending Trask away. I was really messing things up. Everything seemed to be on fire around me. I was used to being in control, and I needed to find a way to regain it. I couldn’t ask Trask to stay with me, not at the risk of his career. It was midway through hockey season, and every game counted leading up to the playoffs.
Right after he left, my in-laws showed up. I needed to get out of there. “Ryleigh, baby, say goodbye to your daddy and then Grandma and Grandpa will take you into the hall to wait for Mommy, okay?”
Bonnie opened her mouth to protest, but I stared her down. I lifted Ryleigh to kiss her father on the cheek so that she wouldn’t hurt his ribs and then waited until the door closed behind her to say my peace.
“I’m leaving. We’ll stay for a few days, but then we’re going back. If you have to stay here longer to heal, we’ll figure something out.”
“How can you be so cold, Kam? I almost died.”
“Because of your own stupidity! What you should be asking me is how can I ever trust you with Ryleigh again!”
He had the decency to wince. “I’m sorry. That was a stupid thing to do. But it changed me, Kamryn. I’m serious. Can’t we just forget the past? I promise I—”
“No. I’ve heard this all before, Sutton. So many times.” I was so tired of his broken promises. He looked and sounded sincere, but it was too late for us. “You need to sign those papers.” I glanced at them on the counter, untouched.
“But this time I mean it. Love can make this work.”
“But I don’t love you, Sutton.” It felt freeing to say it out loud. I cared for him, but I didn’t love him. Not at all.
And I have big feelings for Trask.
