Page 66 of Slap Shot at a Second Chance

“How is it my fault? You’re the one that acted petty with the potato salad!” I said and he groaned frustrated as he clapped his hands.

“You slept with my best friend, Avery! And you kept it from me that you’re in a relationship!” he yelled and I leaned back against the couch, suddenly feeling ashamed. “Fuck!”

He shouted as he got up and rubbed his forehead as he looked away from me. We both took a few breaths and he sighed as he placed his hands on his hips looking at me.

“I’m not mad that he’s Nathaniel’s father. There’s nothing I can do about that. He didn’t know that you were my sister when you were doing your internship, so I’m willing to take responsibility for not knowing then, but Avery—fuck! He knew now. You both knew and you still went behind my back!”

His voice was growing deeper and trembling as well as he expressed himself.

“Why would you guys go behind my back? I thought we were close. I thought you were my sister and that he was my best friend. Why couldn’t you tell me that you liked each other? Do I not deserve to know when my sister and best friend are in love? Am I not part of your lives? Do you not care about me the same way I care about you guys?”

I raised my head and realized his eyes were glossy as he questioned me, as he questioned our decision to keep it a secret from him and I understood where he was coming from.

How could we not tell the one person who was so supportive of the both of us?

Brian helped me raise Nathaniel. He automatically assumed the fatherly role for my son when I was too ashamed to tell them about the identity of his father. He took care of the both of us and made sure there was nothing we lacked. If he wasn’t busy he would take care of Nathaniel as I rested because he understood how hard it was being a single mother.

And for Nate, Brian was there for him when Nate’s father passed away; and Nate didn’t know how to react to it. His father was barely present in his life, and knowing that the man who didn’t raise him passed away before they could even have some kind of relationship sent Nate in a downward spiral and Brian supported him throughout every episode he had.

Brian was always there.He is always there.

“I know it might have seemed tough for you guys, but can you imagine what was going on in my head when I saw Nate disappear during practice and at times not even show up? I thought he hated playing. I thought he hated playing with me. I was growing further apart from my best friend while you and him were falling in love.”

He tilted his head to the side, roughly wiping his tears as his shoulders shook.

“It must’ve been fun for you guys to frolic around while I was losing my mind. Trying to figure out what was going on in your lives, trying my best to be there for the both of you.Argh, I’m a fool aren’t I?” he chuckled, dragging his hands down his face and I bit on my trembling lip as I looked at my brother.

“You can’t answer?” he whispered.

I looked away, feeling tears of my own run down my face.

“Then maybe I really am not part of your lives.” He nodded slowly and a sob tore through my throat. “I’m going home,” he said and walked around the yard and my cries finally came out as he left me in the backyard alone remembering every single word he said.

I heard the sound of his car pulling away further and further from the house and a soft blanket was thrown over my shoulder, her gentle hands rubbed my back as I cried into my knees.

“Avery, dear,” she spoke softly close to my ear. “Don’t cry so much, it’s not good for your health. You’ll stress yourself out.”

There was something about someone comforting you that made you cry harder than you were before, and because it was my mother I let it all out.

Was she as disappointed in me as my brother was? Did she take his hurt into heart the same way I was?Did she hate me for hurting her son?

“Avery,” she begged and I raised my head as I looked at her, clutching my heart as I tried to soothe it, but it felt like a rock was sitting there.

“Mom,” I cried as I stared into her eyes, my guilt and hurt growing. “What have I done to Brian? Will he forgive me? What should I do? I hurt Brian, Ma!” I wailed and her soft eyes became glossy as she pulled me in her arms and rubbed my back.

I thought Brian was acting childish, when really all along I was the childish one.

I took my brother’s best friend away from him and I didn’t even care about it.

I was selfish.

Chapter 28

Nate

“Are you okay?” I asked Avery as I held her face. Her eyes were swollen and she looked extremely exhausted.

“Yeah, just had a rough night. How are you?” she asked as she wrapped her arms around my waist, pressing her face against my chest. “You came extra early today. You don’t want to be scolded for being late to practice?” She teased, a small smile grew on her face, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

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