Page 27

CHAPTER 27

Jordyn

S ince it’s intermission, I tap my mom and tell her that Chelsea and I are going to get a drink. Before I get up, she grabs my arm, a smile on her face. “Hold up. I need to know about the guy whose jersey you’re wearing.”

My mom leans over and whispers something in Robert’s ear. He gets up and heads down the aisle. Once he’s gone, my mom says, “Spill it, baby girl.”

“I-I… can’t.”

Chelsea leans forward. “A hot hockey player who is obsessed with her.”

I smack Chelsea’s arm with my other hand. “Chelsea.”

“So what’s the problem? Why haven’t you told me about him, Jordyn?”

Oh, hell. I bite my lip, debating what I should say.

“Cause he’s her roommate.”

I’m gonna kill Chelsea. What the actual fuck? My face flames as I turn to my mom, worry knotting my stomach.

“Don’t worry. I won’t say anything to Josh or Robert.” She squeezes my hand, then lowers her voice. Her eyes have a mischievous sparkle in them I haven’t seen in a while. “You know, I was dating your father’s best friend when I met your father.”

I sit there in stunned silence, slowly blinking at her.

“What? I was your age once.” She sighs, a wistful expression on her face. “There was something about your father. I kept trying to resist him, but every time we were around one another, sparks flew.”

I’m hanging on her every word. “What happened?”

“I started realizing how incompatible I was with my boyfriend when he’d ask your father to take me places. For example, my boyfriend was supposed to go to the poetry reading with me but came up with a lame excuse and asked your father to step in. Of course, your dad agreed. Your dad always paid so much attention to me. He figured out that I’d written poetry and kept taking me to the weekly readings until I had the courage to stand up there and read mine.”

Wow. That’s really sweet and I can definitely see my dad doing that. He’s always been supportive of my mom and vice versa. “So what happened?”

“We kissed at the end of the night, and I felt guilty as hell. I tried avoiding your father and was miserable. Plus, since he was my boyfriend’s best friend, avoidance was hard without confessing what was going on. Anytime I was around your father, my resistance weakened. We started sneaking around, going on dates out of town. Your father wooed the hell outta me, trying to convince me to break up with his friend. I was concerned I’d ruin their friendship, but your father said, ‘If I had to choose between him and you, it would always be you.’ Kinda hard to resist that.” Her face is the most adorable shade of red.

A pang goes through my heart. I miss my dad so much. I always assumed my mom stopped missing him when she married Robert, but the look on her face clearly indicates she’s still in love with him .

She grabs my hand and squeezes it. “You never get over that kind of love, sweetie. The kind of love I shared with your father… I would run barefoot over glass and through the fires of hell to get him back.”

This is the frankest conversation I’ve had with my mom since high school when it was just her and me struggling together. Life was simpler before Robert came along. “Why did you marry Robert?”

A pained expression is on her face before she lowers her head, her blonde hair curtaining it, obscuring my view.

“Mom?”

She looks up, tears shimmering in her eyes, shame burning her cheeks. “To give you back what I’d taken from you. I used your college fund, depleting it so we could survive. I’ve always felt guilty. So when Robert needed a wife to look good to his business partners?—”

“You didn’t marry him out of love?”

She shakes her head. “No. I married him to give you a college education, not realizing he’d be such an asshole and put strings on your education.” She looks around, her spine stiff and her muscles tense. “Grab your purse,” she hisses.

“What?”

“Do it. I’ve been planning this for a while.” She opens her purse, pulling out a wad of cash. “Robert gives me an ‘allowance’ and I’ve been saving money since he quit funding your education. It’s not enough to cover your return to New York, but it will help you this semester.” Her blue eyes meet mine. “Although, I hope you stay around here. Even though things have been tense between us, I’ve missed you.”

My fingers tremble as I hold my purse in my lap. My mom grabs the zipper, opens it, and then shoves the cash inside and zips it. “Don’t let Robert or Josh know. Josh will tell him.” She rolls her eyes. “Be careful with that one. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. ”

I nod, having a newfound respect for my mom. Guilt washes over me. I resented her for moving on with Robert without asking her any questions and making a lot of assumptions. I’ve distanced myself from her and rebuffed her efforts to be close again.

“Mom?” I squeeze her hand. “Thanks. And not just for the money, which I appreciate and feel bad taking…” She gives me a warning look and I hold up a hand. “But I will since it came from him .” We both laugh, and it feels amazing. “But for your sacrifices after dad…” My voice breaks, and I look away, sucking in a breath. “Thank you for telling me that story about you and Dad. I’d love to hear more.”

“How about over breakfast or dinner sometime? We’ll go somewhere to get away from Robert.” She winks, and my smile grows.

“I’d love that.”

Chelsea tackles us in a big hug. “This is such a beautiful moment. It’s even distracting me from thoughts of Alex doing splits and stretching on the ice.”

My mom and I burst into laughter at her antics. “This is why I love Chelsea,” I grin as Chelsea releases us, and I sit back, grabbing both their hands.

“It’s why I also love Chelsea. She keeps you guessing.” My mom winks at us.

“Always, Momma Fowler.”

“Please call me Abigayle.”

“Yeah, I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t wanna use that asshole’s name, either.” Chelsea shudders, and my mom and I burst into laughter.

We sit in comfortable silence for a few moments before I say, “Mom. Since you and Dad ended up marrying, I’m assuming you dumped your boyfriend?”

She laughs. “More like I was caught in a compromising position with your father. My boyfriend made one helluva scene, and he and your father got into a fistfight. It was obvious I was cheering for your father. I dumped my asshole ex, and your father and I were official after that.” A wistful smile is on her face. “It was worth every damn minute. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”

“Everything? Even sneaking around and the anxiety of being caught?”

“God, yes. Sneaking around made it hotter.”

We laugh as Chelsea pumps a fist in the air and shimmies in her seat.

“Love is always worth it, baby girl.” She looks toward the rink, a smile on her face. “I pretended I wasn’t paying attention, but I couldn’t help but notice how jealous the captain was that you were wearing another man’s jersey.”

I fist Tristan’s jersey, my heart pounding faster at the memory of the possessive look on his face.

“You know, your father played football in college. He was the same way. I wore my boyfriend’s jersey, and he’d seethe. Boy, he was so aggressive on the field.” A wistful smile curls her lips. “Once we were official, he immediately burned my ex-boyfriend’s jersey and gave me his, telling me I’d never wear another man’s jersey.” Tears shimmer in her eyes. “He was right. I never wore anyone else’s.”

Raising an eyebrow, I stare at her, stunned. “Dad acted like that? I mean, I’ve seen him get a little jealous over guys in the store, and he’d glare at them, but it’s hard for me to picture him losing control.”

“Once we were married, he knew I wasn’t going anywhere, so he calmed down. But if a man flirted with me, he shut it down quickly.”

“That’s hot,” Chelsea says, leaning forward and fanning herself. “God, I’d love to have a man act like a caveman when another man got near me.” Her expression darkens. “Well, one who isn’t unhinged and tries to end my life. ”

My mom is shocked before anger transforms her face. “Listen, Chelsea. If a man hurts you in any way and/or is unhinged, he’s not the one for you. But acting possessive and protecting what’s his is fine if the man treats you like a queen and showers you with love. Remember that.”

Chelsea grins. “You’re so wise, Momma Abby.”

My mom grins. “It comes from experience. I have a few years on you.”

I grin at my mom and Chelsea, feeling like I have two best friends. “One more group hug before Robert returns.” We squish together and Chelsea grabs her phone, taking a selfie of us.

When we part, the players are on the ice. I turn my head, feeling Tristan’s intense stare boring into me. My body floods with warmth at the look in his eyes. He looks around and quickly does a heart sign with his hands.

Grinning, I look around and do the heart sign back.

Yup, it’s official. I’m head over heels for a hockey player.