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Shouldering my bag, I gave her and her team a grin, and a wave. “Long bus ride. Makes the legs numb.”

Abby’s frown cleared. “I can imagine. Six hours, right?”

I walked over to her. “More like eight with the frequent stops. It’s good to be home.”

Home. Was this really home? I loved my clan and my life back with the orcs, but this human world didn’t bother me like it did so many of the other orcs. Yes, this was home too. It was especially home because Abby lived here.

Abby lifted her phone. “Well, I’m glad you all are back. I need to get video footage for our posts, and I can’t use the televised clips. Sizzle tried to take a few videos while you were all on the road, but they really sucked.”

I nodded. “Would you like me to take video for you at Friday’s game?”

“No, I’d like you to play hockey. And walk into the stadium with the rest of the team.”

I blinked, feeling as if I’d taken a blow. Given how badly I’d performed in Buffalo, it was likely I wouldn’t even be allowed on the ice. But if Abby wanted me to play, I would make sure I played. Even if it meant I needed to bribe a few of the other orcs with chips and candy from the snack machine.

13

ABBY

The team headed into the arena. I sent my team back to our office space to parse through the images and footage they’d taken while I went to the front ticket office to spend some time by myself. We’d received a huge delivery of merchandise yesterday that needed sorting and displayed. While I’d usually assign that task to someone else, it was perfect for me to do while my mind churned with worry about my mother.

Ripping open boxes and quality checking all of the shirts, and totes was rhythmic and therapeutic. I was halfway through the shipment when a shadow fell over the counter. I turned to see Bwat, a concerned expression on his face.

“Is everything okay? I saw you were on the phone when we arrived, and you seemed upset. Then I didn’t see you and when I went to the office, your team said you were down here.”

“It’s fine. I’m just organizing the merchandising for tonight’s game.” His presence had broken the shallow peace brought by the routine activity and all my fears were once more banging against my brain, wanting entrance.

“Abby.”

That was all he said as he walked around the counter and spread his arms wide. I don’t know what I was thinking. Actually I wasn’t thinking at all as I collapsed against him, and choked back a sob. He folded me against his body, and the size of him, the bulk, created a little sanctuary of safety. I was unable to hold back my tears, and next thing I knew I was crying against his very muscular chest while he rubbed my back and whispered soft words in Orcish against the top of my head. He never stepped back. He didn’t move or indicate in any way when I should be finished emoting. Bwat let me cry and supported me until I was the one that lifted my head and wiped my eyes.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean….”

“Never apologize for letting me see your grief. It is my honor to be here and share your burden.”

His honor to share my burden.

The sentiment felt so foreign to me. Burdens were burdens. I never wanted to unload mine on my friends or even my mother. And here this crazy orc was saying it was an honor to share them?

“Abby, what is wrong? Please tell me. Has someone hurt you? Did something bad happen at your work? Are your friends okay?” Bwat cupped my face in his huge hands and once more I felt tears spring to my eyes.

No. I was done crying and making a fool out of myself. I was okay. Everything was okay.

Everything was not okay.

“My mom might have cancer.”

His arms tighten around me once more, and he whispered something that sounded like it was a curse word. Then: “What is this cancer? It does not sound good.”

“It’s not. It’s never good. And I know I’m getting ahead of myself. She had a lump, and the doctors were concerned enough to do a biopsy, so I’m panicking, but it might not be cancer. It could just be a cyst or something else.”

He rested his cheek on the top of my head. “When will your healers know what this lump is?”

“A few days. Maybe a week. It’s Friday, so we probably won’t hear anything until next Wednesday or Thursday, which sucks because we’re both going to be worrying through the weekend, even though Mom won’t let anyone know she’s worried.”

“She told you, so she did let someone know. And that’s a good thing. It’s important to have family and friends who can help, even if it’s just someone who can listen.”

He was right. My arms went around him, not even able to connect on the other side of his spine. He was so solid, so strong, and yet so soft. I melted into him, letting him support the weight of me. Bwat was a friend. And while I never wanted to burden any of my friends with this, I was glad he’d been here when I didn’t know I needed someone.