“I have not!” He clutched his chest like she’d struck him. Okay, he totally was prone to being somewhat OTT. But no one liked to be reminded of their flaws—even if it was by beautiful women from their childhood.
“Uh huh. Do you want me to call Suzy what’s-her-name? I’m sure she’ll confirm that for those twenty-nine days she was your girlfriend you showered her with every stereotypical gift under the sun.”
He swallowed the barbs at the back of his throat, his skin prickling at her subtle reminder that you couldn’t buy love, or—as it turned out with Denise—loyalty, either. Holding up a hand, he forced a chuckle.
“It’s good. You want something warm to drink while we wait?”
She nodded and he took the opportunity to escape to the coffee machine to grab her a drink. He needed to catch his breath. The reminder that he’d essentially been duped by his ex, and then taken to the cleaners for everything he was worth, lay heavily in his stomach.
An hour later, Theo emerged from the locker room with a wide-eyed and red-cheeked Mason. “Mom, Mom! Theo said he’ll come skating with me sometime.” The excitement in the kid’s voice was tangible and Elliott almost swallowed his tongue at the thought that Theo was offering to do something for someone else.
Theo rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks going as red as Mason’s, and shrugged. “I have a little brother. He loves hockey too. I’d like to think someone will take care of him when he’s old enough to play.” He shrugged again and offered his fist to Mason. “Can’t wait to hang out, bud. I’ll give Coach my cell number so we can figure something out, okay?”
Wonders would never cease. Maybe there was hope for the rookie yet. Mason nodded, his jaw hanging wide open like God himself had suggested they hang out together. Theo ruffled Mason’s hair before heading back into the locker room.
“Mom. Look.” Mason’s voice still held a wonder that warmed Elliott’s chest. Lincoln Scott had brought in an old game worn shirt and signed it for the kid, and Elliott had found a poster that he’d given to Mason for the rest of the team to sign.
“Lincoln Scott gave this to me. He played with Coach Morrison, Mom. He’s the team captain.” He spoke to her like she knew nothing about the team at all. Did he know she used to go to every one of Elliott’s games when they were younger—and most of his practices, too?
She probably knew the rules even better than he did. Had she given up on the game when he’d gone away? The familiar pang of guilt struck deep in his chest. If only he had the chance for a do-over. He’d still have left, still have chased his dream, but he’d have done more, tried harder to keep his friendship with Clare while he did.
Mason chattered away about each of the players, what they did on the team, and things they said to him as they were signing his poster. If Elliott could change the past, Mason and Catriona wouldn’t exist, either. He didn’t know much about kids, but if they were anything like their mom, they were both pretty great.
Mom took great pleasure in reminding him that everything happened for a reason. Perhaps Clare would forgive him. Perhaps this was his chance for a do-over. Perhaps, this time, he wouldn’t fuck it up.
“Who wants milkshakes?”
Mason fist pumped and hissed out, “Yessssss. Can we, Mom? Please?”
Clare pinned Elliott with a glare that said, “thanks, asshole, now I can’t say no.” And Elliott made a mental note not to speak out of turn again in the future. Clearing everything through mom-Clare was going to be at the top of his to-do list going forward.
Through a tight-lipped smile she shook her head. “Sorry, Mase-Mallow. But it’s getting late and it’s a school night. Maybe next time, okay?”
Mason’s body tensed. “But Mom…”
Clare’s whole body sagged under the weight of Mason’s sigh. “You’ve had a fantastic evening, Mason. Please be grateful for that, and don’t make this a thing.”
“Dad would let me.”
What a master manipulator. Points to the kid for trying, but Elliott clenched his jaw so he didn’t interfere. Clare didn’t need him making things worse. Again.
“You’re not here with your father, Mason, you’re here with me. And I say no. Please respect that.”
“I hate you.” Mason’s growl drained the color from Clare’s face, her blue eyes darkened, and her throat bobbed as she swallowed.
“Mason. I think you owe your mom an apology for your behavior.” He couldn’t take it anymore. He couldn’t watch this teenage terror hurt Clare and stay silent. She’d deflated so much it hurt to look at her.
Mason grunted and took off toward the exit.
“Sorry.” He leaned close to her and spoke softly so Mason couldn’t hear what he said. “I shouldn’t have thought out loud. I’ll check with you in the future.”
Her shoulders lowered from her ears and her jaw loosened. “Thanks. I’d appreciate that. I have enough undermining on my hands with Mason’s dad. And thanks for sticking up for me.”
Of course he’d stuck up for her. As nice as the kid was, he was being a spoiled little shit. Clare didn’t deserve to be treated like that just because she was being a responsible parent.
“You’re not mad?”
She shook her head and tears escaped her welling eyes, leaving tracks down her cheeks. “Truthfully it’s kind of a relief.”
