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“Shut up, Graham,” Reed grunts, tossing his glove at Graham’s face, where it hits him in the nose, then he turns back toward me. “She asked for time, give it to her. But even if it’s not the answer you hoped for, if you love her… which you do, then don’t give up on her.”
I nod. “I wouldn’t, but I don’t even knowhowto love, Reed. The only love I’ve ever known is the fucked-up, betraying kind. Even if Maddison does give me a chance, what if she’s right, and we fuck it up?”
This time, he shrugs and pulls his gaze back to the ice in front of us. “There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for Holland or Evan. Nothing. I’d sacrifice every penny I ever earned, my career, you name it, I’d do it. That’s what love is. It’s not cut and dry, Briggs, it’s never black and white.
You learn from all the things that you fuck up. Hell, I may never have it right, but if my girl goes to sleep at night knowing that I’d sacrifice anything in the world for her, then I’m happy. Then I’m doing something right.”
“I’ve seen the way she looks at you, Wilson, don’t worry. She gets the same look on her face when you’re around.” Graham interjects, “I’m headed to find Asher and Huds, I wanna see if they want to hit the bar up tonight. You two down?”
Reed shakes his head. “Nah, I got a date with my girl tonight.”
“Not me, I’ve got some shit to take care of. I’m down next time, though.”
Graham nods. “Let me know when you go back to see Olive-you. I’m coming, so I can give her, her presents Uncle Graham got her.”
“Will do.”
He skates off, and Reed stands. “I’m gonna shower and head home. Hopefully I get some alone time with Holland before I fucking die.”
I smirk. Reed’s so fucking obsessed with Holland, it’s kinda sickening, then I remember that I feel the same damn way about Maddison, and I probably shouldn’t say shit.
“Call ya later.” He claps me on the back before leaving me alone, on the bench, with my thoughts.
I only get a few uninterrupted moments of silence before my phone rings. I jump to grab it from the bench, only to see my mother’s name on the screen. I groan.
Fuck.
If I ignore it, she’ll show up at the house, and that’s the last shit I need right now.
Swiping the screen, I answer, “Hi Mom.”
“Hi sweetheart. Just checking in with you, how are you?”
Guilt immediately snakes up my spine. My parents don’t even know they’re grandparents, and I I’m not ready to tell them. Her voice usually brings me comfort, but it only causes my stomach to twist. I feel like an asshole hiding Olive from her.
“Uh, I’m good, Mom. I’m actually at the rink right now, so I can’t talk for long. How are you?”
There’s a brief pause. “Oh, you know, same old. Your father spends most of his time working in his shop and with Beau…” she trails off, “I’m sorry, sweetie.”
“Don’t apologize, Mom.”
“I just worry about you, honey, and I feel like I never get to see you anymore and….”
She babbles on, but my focus is gone when my phone chimes with a notification, and I glance down and see it’s a text from Maddison.
Fuck, I’m nervous. My fingers hover over the message as my mom calls my name.
“Briggs?”
“Sorry, Mom, I’ve got a call coming through, can I call you back later?”
It’s impossible not to hear the disappointment in her sigh. “Sure, honey. I love you, you know that? Always. Please, call me soon.”
“Will do, Mom. I love you, too.”
We end the call, and I open the text from Maddison.
Maddison: Dinner? Tonight? Seven. I’m making lasagna and I think we should talk…
I quickly respond.
Briggs: See you then.
I guess tonight’s the moment of truth.
