Chance adds more. “And if you ever want a shot at going pro, then you’d be wise to remember that. Big organizations aren’t looking for trouble-makers who make them look bad, or players with nasty attitudes. Having passion is different than having a temper.”
The rest of my teammates nod in agreement, and it seems like the students are truly listening to us.
I clap Principal Sturges on the back. “I’m going to be signing out Avery for the remainder of the day.”
Avery’s eyebrows shoot up. “You are?”
I wrap my arm around his neck. “Me and the guys have something fun planned, and we want to hang with you.”
The other kids gasp and murmur, and I grin wide.
Good.Let them see Avery spending the day with a professional hockey team while they schlep back to class.
Principal Sturges clears his throat. “Only people on the approved list can sign out students.”
“Guess I’ll have to get on that list then.” I slip my phone out of my pocket and search for Presley’s number. “Will a verbal confirmation from Avery’s aunt suffice for the time being?”
The principal nods. “Yes, that should be fine.”
Avery’s cheeks push up into his eyes as he smiles.
And I don’t miss the smirk on Chance’s lips as we head to the main office.
“Best day ever!”
I laugh at Alyssa’s excitement as she steers the stationary car in the arcade. She’s well-behaved and respectful, but she’s full of life and bounces off the walls with energy. I didn’t know her mother, but she reminds me a lot of Presley—the version I met in college.
It breaks my heart to see this subdued version of her, knowing the pressure and pain she’s had to endure these last few years. I’m determined to fix that, to give her anything and everything she and the kids need to feel carefree and secure.
And I know Chance feels the same.
Affection warms my chest as I watch him and Avery playing Skee-ball across the room. Chance doesn’t give himself enough credit. He never has. He has so much love in his heart to offer, and Avery brings out a softer side of him. It’s easier with kids than it is with adults; you don’t have to worry about judgment or vulnerability. They’re honest and blunt, and they’re funny as hell.
My mind wanders, and I imagine the five of us living in Presley’s house. A family. I can see it so clearly, and possession rips through me. I’ve been told I can betoo much, and movetoo fast. But I can’t help the way I feel. When my heart is set on something, I will stop at nothing to have it. And what’s the point of putting it off anyway?
Life is too short to hold yourself back from happiness.
With Presley’s permission, we took the kids to the boardwalk down the shore. The place is nearly empty, being that it’s a cold winter day during school hours, so we have the place to ourselves.
“When was the last time you came down here?” I ask.
Alyssa scrunches her nose. “When my mom was alive. I was little.”
I ruffle her hair. “Littler than you are now?”
She shoots me a dirty look. “I’m not little.”
I chuckle. “You’re right. I’m just teasing.”
She’s quiet while she steers the video game. “Thanks for taking us here. I can’t believe Aunt Presley let you take us out of school for this.”
I lean on the empty car next to her. “Well, school is important. I can understand why she doesn’t want you to skip.”
“Yeah.” Her eyebrows pinch together. “We don’t even do stuff like this on the weekends.”
My eyebrows lift. “Really?”
“We’ll go to the movies every once in a while, or to the mall. Places around the neighborhood.” She shrugs. “She’s worried a lot.”
