Mom pulls me into a hug as soon as Gracie and I get back home. “Oh, my baby. I missed you so much!”
“I missed you, too, Ma.” More than she knows.
She quickly drags me to the kitchen table and pushes me down in one of the chairs before sitting in the one across from me.
“Catch me up. I want to know everything. How’s the team? Have you made any new friends? How’s your apartment?” My heart warms at her huge grin.
“One question at a time, Mom,” I laugh as she waves me off.
“Fine, fine. How’s the team been? Have you been keeping your temper at bay? And don’t you lie to me!”
“As much as I usually do when I play. Only a couple of fights so far,” I assure her. She raises her eyebrows and I shrug, sending her an innocent smile. “The team’s awesome. The skill is a lot better than the Storm, but we already knew that. I think I have a good shot for Captain next season.”
Being Captain is a huge deal. I thought it would be nice not to have the responsibility of for a season or two. However, now I know just how badly I need it.
Having the responsibility keeps me focused. Not to mention, I miss bossing everyone around. I’ve been staying on the ice after practice and coming in on my days off. For weeks I’ve been pushing myself to show Coach and the team that I can be their leader. The leader they want and desperately need. I can only cross my fingers now and hope that my work ends up paying off somehow.
“Of course you do! You’re the best hockey player I’ve ever seen,” she beams and sits up straighter in her chair.
“You have to say that. You’re my mom. But I appreciate it.”
The timer on the oven buzzes loudly. Mom jumps out of her chair in surprise as she stares at the clock hanging on the kitchen’s far wall. “Oh, no! Is it six already? Go get freshened up before Gracie’s boyfriend gets here.”
“Her boyfriend? I thought we weren’t meeting him till tomorrow?” I stand up from the chair and watch with a chuckle as she flails around the kitchen, whipping open cupboard after cupboard on the prowl for something most likely already in plain sight
“You were, yes. Before Gracie called me from the studio to let me know she thinks it might be better for you to meet him in more of a private place. With fewer people watching,” she adds, her tone dripping in sarcasm. I smile serenely at her before heading towards the stairs and yelling,
“Oh, how lovely. I’ll go get changed then!”
Once I get to my room, I close the door behind me. I grab a pair of jeans out of my duffle bag and slip them on. Mom would have a fit if she saw me sitting at her kitchen table for dinner in baggy shorts. I switch my Saints hoodie for a plain black t-shirt and grab a baseball hat from the large stack resting on my old dresser. I head downstairs to watch the Warriors game before Gracie’s boy-toy gets here.
As soon as Vancouver takes the lead just twenty minutes later, the doorbell rings. As I move to open it, Gracie comes barreling down the stairs. She shoots me a glare and, standing in front of the door, takes a deep breath. I can smell her fruity perfume from here and wrinkle my nose.
“A little overkill on the perfume, Gray,” I cough.
“Behave Oakley, or I swear to God you won’t be able to play hockey ever again after I’m done with you,” she hisses and pulls the door open. I roll my eyes and turn my attention back to the game.
“Hey, babe.” I hear from the porch, followed by a girly giggle. “You look beautiful, Gracie.”
There’s that giggle again. What the hell? Since when does my sister giggle? Cackle like a witch maybe, but never giggle.
The door closes and I hear the sound of feet padding across the wood flooring towards the living room. Gracie coughs loudly, signalling for me to finally say hello.
I tear my eyes away from the game and turn to give the guy a once over. Slowly squaring my shoulders, I wear an impassive expression and take my time examining him.
The kid’s pretty tall—but not as tall as me. I have a few inches on him, but he towers over my sister. He’s dressed in dark jeans and a button- up plaid shirt. Shaggy blonde hair falls carelessly in his face before he reaches up and pushes it back nervously. He looks like a loser.
“Oakley. The big brother.” I hold my hand out in front of me and wait to see if he has a weak handshake, the same as the last guy she brought home. Dad always said a handshake is the most crucial first impression you can give.
“Jacob Lane,” he nods. “The boyfriend.” Much to my surprise, he shakes my hand with a firm grip. “Is that the Warriors game? I only caught the first period before I had to head over. Are they winning?”
Okay, so he’s got confidence. He’ll need it when it comes to my sister or she’ll eat him alive.
“Yeah, they got two goals in the second period. As soon as they stopped racking up the penalty minutes they started making moves.” Sneaking a glance at my sister, I catch the proud smile she’s wearing before she sneaks into the kitchen, leaving us alone. “Make yourself at home. I’m sure Mom will be out soon.”
I return to my spot on the couch and risk sending a text to Ava to brag about the fact that I have yet to punch Gracie’s boyfriend in the face. What’s the worst that can happen? She ignores me again?
After sending the text, I slip my phone back in my pocket and turn my attention to the game once more as the Warriors manage to slip another puck into the opposing team’s net.
“Yes! Let’s go!” Jacob shouts from the opposite end of the couch. My head snaps up in surprise. When he catches me staring at him, mouth slightly agape, his cheeks flush. I get the idea he hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
Chuckling, I decide to ease his embarrassment a bit. “Relax, dude. We’re a hockey family. If you don’t lose your voice by the end of a game, you weren’t loud enough.”
He lets out a relieved sigh and nods his head at me. His eyes dart around the room awkwardly. “Um, I just wanted to say that you’re a legend in the locker room, man. My buddies were so jealous when I told them I was going to meet you.”
I nod my head at him. “Appreciate it. Thanks.”
“Do you think you could like… sign something for me? For once you’re in the big leagues?” His face is bright red. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t sincerely flattered by his question.
“Yeah, sure. Did you bring anything with you?”
Jacobs’s face lights up before he frowns. “Shit. No. I didn’t think that I would get this far. Everyone says that you’re a serious hard-ass.”
“Don’t let tonight fool you. I am, just not as much when I’m around my family,” I tell him firmly. “I keep all of my old sticks in the basement. Will that work?” His mouth falls open before he nods fervently. “I’ll make sure you get one before you leave tonight.”
Our conversation is interrupted when Mom comes prancing into the room. She does a double-take at the view in front of her, shock written all over her features. I guess I would be shocked too. Sharing a couch and watching a game with my sister’s boyfriend is entirely out of character for me, let alone having a civil conversation with the poor bastard.
Jacob shoots out of his seat when he notices Mom and goes around the couch to stand in front of her. Poor guy is so unprepared for what’s coming next.
Holding his hand out in front of him as I had done not long ago, he introduces himself. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hutton. I’m Jacob.”
A huge smile spreads across her face, and she grabs him tightly in a bear hug. I chuckle to myself as he relaxes in her grip. “We’re a hugging family over here! And please, call me Anne.”
The ding of my phone distracts me from the awkward situation in front of me. Glancing at the screen, I see a message from Ava. My chest tightens. “Can I call you? Please.”
I let Mom know that I’ll be in my room and head up the stairs. As soon as my door clicks shut behind me, I dial Ava’s number.
She answers on the first ring, “You didn’t have to call if you’re busy, I understand.”
Something’s off in her voice. The cheerful tone I’m used to is gone, replaced by a dull, vacant one that makes my stomach ache.
“I’m not busy. What’s wrong?” Moments pass in silence, save for her quiet breathing. “Ava? I’m right here. You can talk to me.”
A few more seconds drag by until her voice—wavering and cautious—cuts through the silence. “I… I didn’t know who else to call. I could have called Morgan, but she’s with Matt, and I just didn’t…” she trails off. Her soft cries seem to slice through both my phone and my erratically beating heart.
“Octavia, listen to me. It’s okay. Where are you? Are you at home? Tell me what happened.” The silence is unbearable. I want to be there, helping her.
“I’m at home. My mom called me—well, actually, my foster mom called me …” she breaks off, and I find myself getting more confused. “I was going to tell you soon. I just didn’t know if you were going to stick around. I still don’t. But I guess I don’t have a choice now.”
“I’m not going anywhere, okay? Please tell me what’s going on. I’m going crazy over here.”
Ava sighs and begins to tell me everything.
