Page 6 of Slap Shot at a Second Chance

I tilted my head to the side. Even her name was gorgeous! What wasn’t attractive about this woman, really?

“You remember, Avery, right?” he asked and she turned to look at him before she looked at me with a small smile on her face.

An awkward smile grew on my face as I tried to remember Brian telling me about her. He rarely ever told me about his relationships and if he was asking if I remembered her, then he must’ve talked about her. However, the only name popping up from his recent escapades wasNatalie.

Now the question is, do I pretend I know her to save my best friend from breaking up with this gorgeous girl, which could possibly be my win even though it makes me an ass? Or do I pretend I don’t remember anything?

“I’m sorry, I don’t recall,” I said slowly, choosing to be a great friend because that was what I was.

I stared into her blue eyes and she seemed disappointed, her lips dropping a bit as she fidgeted with her fingers.Did I fuck up?

“Sometimes I forget you have the worst memory, and I don’t blame you. She interned with us a long time ago, bro. She does look a lot different from back then,” he said and I shook my head.I don’t remember her.

“I just stopped dyeing my hair,” she whispered as she touched her hair and I bet it was soft. I would love to run my fingers through her hair.I’m not a great friend.

“Bro, you literally met her after one of our games in college.” He put his hands out and this was getting even more embarrassing. I didn’t think Brian cheated so much, my goodness!He does not deserve her!

“I kinda hid behind Mom and Dad then,” she murmured, keeping her head down and I wondered just how long had they been in a relationship.

“Nate, she’s my sister!”

Ah shit.

Chapter 3

Avery

I walked into the building of my job with my phone balanced between my shoulder and ear as I shuffled my handbag, camera bag, and laptop bag around trying to carry them without looking like life was already defeating me.

“Mom, I can just take today off and take him to the doctor.”

My mother sighed again for the umpteenth time today during this phone call.

Ever since I dropped Niel off at her house to take him to the doctor for me, I had been trying to convince her that I could do it, but I was already swamped with so much work and I just knew I could count on my mother. However, part of me couldn’t help but feel terrible.

What kind of mother was I?

“Avery, if you don’t stop I swear I will keep your child from you the whole week. I’m his grandmother and I am more than capable of taking my cute grandbaby to the doctor,” she scolded and I smiled as I finally managed to get my bags sorted out and stood before the elevators.

“You sure? I’m sure they wouldn’t mind me taking some time off?” I reckoned again and I swear I could see her rolling her eyes over the phone. I entered the elevator and was grateful there was still network in the silver-colored cube.

“Avery. You just got that job, you can’t be taking time off already. I’ve got this, just go to work as usual and then when you come back later, you’ll find your son resting with his grandparents, hmm?” She was getting annoyed with me asking so much, but Niel was my baby and I really wanted to be there for him.

I knew I could count on my parents for anything and everything. After all, they did support me when I came back home during the school holidays, sporting a round belly. I expected them to be completely and utterly angry about the situation; I honestly expected the worst from them, but they were gentle with me.

Thecompletely and utterly angryone was my brother. He managed to blow the lid off everything and was fuming for almost my entire pregnancy. But once Niel arrived, he was the first to melt and claim the father role.

I didn’t tell my family who the father was, and I really thought after four years of keeping the secret, I finally would be able to, but I guess it wasn’t time yet.

“Okay, Ma. Call me if you need anything from me.” I exited the elevator, my eyes quickly scanning the empty floor.I could have been a bit late today as well.

“Geez Avery, one would swear this is the first time I’m taking care of a child.” Now I was certain she was rolling her eyes. Even though my mom was really gentle with me, I somehow always managed to get on her nerves.

“It’s not like we have anything better to do sweetheart, let us take care of Niel, okay?” This time my dad took over the call, and that was confirmation for me that my mother was close to losing it.

My parents were both retired already. They did take their time in having me and my brother and they did not regret a single thing. They still wanted to work and find something to do in their free time, but both Brian and I sorted that out for them.

I gave them a baby to occupy their time with, and Brian... Well, Brian was more like the financial spectrum of things.

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