Page 34 of Hot Puck
I watch her as she gathers a laptop bag I haven’t seen before. “Where’d that come from?”
“My car. I ducked out to get it when you were asleep.”
“You worked this afternoon? While Candace and I were asleep?”
“Yes. And when the twins came home.”
“So, you worked around taking care of them.” It’s not a question even though my tone suggests it is. It makes my attempts to do the same seem even more pitiful.
“I answered a few emails. Made a few calls. Nothing too detailed or urgent.”
I don’t need her to say she’s appeasing my disgust with myself, but she is. I know she is. She’s pointing out her success was limited due to the level of difficulty of the work. I appreciate her efforts, but I don’t like them.
“I don’t need you to placate me.”
“I’m not.” Her gaze locks with mine for a beat before she adds. “Fine. Maybe I was, but it wasn’t intentional.”
“I know the adjustment to our new life should take time. And I know I shouldn’t feel guilty or inadequate or angry that I can’t manage everything the way my parents did. That knowledge doesn’t stop the emotions from being there.”
“No. It doesn’t.”
“I want to say yes to the Rogues’ offer. Except I can’t. I can promise to give it serious consideration and thought. But I have to be honest. If the girls tell me they don’t want to move, my answer will be no. They have just as much say in this as I do.”
“I understand that. And I respect that. But remember, teenagers don’t necessarily make decisions with logic or reasoning the way an adult would.”
“I’d argue some adults don’t either.”
“True. I’m not going to rush any of you into this life altering decision, but I will try to talk you into it. The twins too. And I’d like you to consider taking advice from someone outside of the situation.”
“Who might that be?”
“I don’t know. Someone without a stake in the outcome?”
So much to think about. And I haven’t even read the offer yet.
“Let’s table it for tonight. I’ll be back tomorrow morning, and we can discuss it more.”
Nat
When I arrive at the Hawkins house for a second day in a row, I’m just as nervous about the reception I’ll receive.
Last night I left right after offering Chase a marriage of convenience. Mainly because I didn’t want to talk the idea to death, especially when my ex dragged his feet and didn’t sign our divorce papers yesterday.
I also wanted to give Chase time to catch his breath, time to think about everything I said and did yesterday. I dumped a lot on him in less than twenty-four hours.
The offer to play for the Rogues.
The offer of a house to live in.
The offer of another parental figure for the girls.
It’s the last one I think will be a sticking point for him.
He needs to prove he can take care of his sisters. Whether it’s to himself or his parents or some unknown people, I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter. Every time I helped him, I could see the hunger to do it himself in his eyes.
It rivaled the hunger I saw when I offered him the Rogues’ starting goalie spot.
He may have resigned himself to no longer playing hockey but that dream still dwells in the back of his mind—lives in his heart.
