Page 47

Eliana

S omething must have happened. That’s the only possible explanation. I stare at my phone, re-reading the text exchange with my mom and waiting for the words on the screen to magically change. I pinch myself to make sure this isn’t some weird dream.

Me: Might be a day or two late in sending money this week. There’s been a delay with student employment, sorry.

Mom: Don’t worry about it. No need to send any more. We’re all set.

Did she win the lottery and not tell me?

Decide to finally take her chances at a casino and win big?

Or is she having one of her fleeting moments of shame about relying on her daughter for support?

The first two options were incredibly unlikely, and the last one was also unrealistic.

I had entirely too many questions and not enough answers.

Taking a deep and centering breath, I talk myself out of calling my mom now and demanding an explanation.

There was no way I would be able to keep my tone calm and not ask questions that would result in her getting mad, or at the very least annoyed, at me .

While a part of me wanted to relish in the fact that my bank account was now looking a lot less sad since I could use the remaining money for myself, the rational part of my brain told me not to put the cart before the horse.

So instead of balling out at the Beanery, I made some overly bitter drip coffee, and poured it into two to-go cups. Then I headed towards the hockey arena.

Jake was wrapping up his pregame practice as I walked across campus, and by the time I made it to the arena, he was waiting in the lobby for me.

I feel my chest squeeze as his eyes light up when I walk in.

A moment later, I’m engulfed in his warm embrace, and a chill runs down my neck as he presses a soft kiss to my neck, feeling his damp hair brush against my chin.

He gleefully grabs one of the travel coffee mugs from my hand, takes a large sip and clearly tries not to gag. His attempt to spare my feelings was appreciated, despite the expression of disgust he was currently rocking.

“That bad, huh?”.

“What? No. Not at all.” He takes another large gulp as if to prove his point. It did the opposite as he started to turn a little green.

“Alright. Alright. I think that’s enough for you. I promise I won’t be offended if you don’t finish my coffee. And I’d rather not be responsible for you puking on the ice.”

“I’ve had my fair share of showing up hungover to practice, so wouldn’t be the first time.”

My nose crinkles. “Gross.”

“Admittedly the aftermath wasn’t pretty. Not to mention how pissed Coach Jameson was.”

He pulls me into the now-empty locker room.

My face warms at the memory of the last time we were alone here.

Jake’s mind must immediately go to the same place because he leans down and whispers into my ear, “Don’t get any crazy ideas now.

Most of the staff is across the hall and there’s no way I’ll be able to stay quiet with you wrapped around me. ”

I trip over my own feet and elbow Jake in the ribs as he laughs at my expense. I’d get him back for that.

Jake sits me down on the bench next to his locker as he finishes packing up his bag. “How’s your day been so far?

“Mostly normal except for this text I got from my mom.” For a moment I think I see his back stiffen.

“Is she okay?” he asks. Hmm, nothing weird in his voice. Must have imagined the tension then.

“Um, I think so? I told her I’d be late in sending her money this week, and she said she didn’t need it.” Which still wasn’t adding up to me.

“Huh. Did she say why?” Jake places a kiss on my cheek as he takes a seat next to me.

“Nope. I debated asking her, but money is always a touchy subject and I know if I pry, I could upset her, and I don’t want to do that.”

“That makes sense.” He taps his knee against mine.

“I don’t know how much longer I can hold out on asking her about it though. None of this makes sense. I just really hope that she’s not taking on even more work so she won’t have to ask me for money. She already does so much…” Burying my head into my hands, I let out the breath I was holding in.

Jake places his hand on the back of my neck, then moves it down lower to massage my shoulders, squeezing the tension out of them. “What are the odds she found a hidden treasure chest in the backyard?”

My lips twitch, appreciating his effort in trying to lighten the mood. “Given the fact it’s the dead of winter and there’s no way she’d be able to shovel through solid ground, I’d say none.”

“Hmm maybe your mom’s a secret assassin who received an offer she couldn’t refuse and decided to come out of retirement for one night.”

“Jake, be serious.”

“I am! Don’t underestimate her. When we first met, she had her eyes locked on me with laser precision. If she wanted to kill me. she totally could.”

“You can be so annoying sometimes, did you know that?”

“Is that why you’re holding back a smile right now?”

“I am not.” My stoic face lasts all of a second before I let out a laugh. “Don’t mistake my laughter for joy. I am still very stressed and anxious right now.”

“That might just be your permanent state, my love.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “What would your therapist say in a moment like this?”

“That short of having a crystal ball, I can’t know for sure what has happened with my mom, and that most of the times I’ve predicted something bad happening, it ended up being fine or at least nowhere near as catastrophic as I thought it would be.”

“Well there you go. Let’s ride this wave of joy for a moment.”

“Yeah I guess you’re right.” I wanted nothing more than to believe my own words, but I couldn’t stop the nagging feeling in my gut that my world was about to be turned upside down. And all I could do was brace myself for the storm that was to come.