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“You got the degree on your own,” Patty cuts in.
“I did, and that in itself is a whole long story I can share one day,” she says.
I’m surprised she is being so open with me sitting here because she and Patty have clearly had personal talks before. A part of me wonders if Liam spoke to Wolfe and Rebel about me. About my past. I try to shake it off, but her words resonate. Her husband’s hockey career helped her get out of a bad situation.
It makes me think back to the times when Liam has asked me if I need money recently, since I’m not working, and it isn’t a secret I’m not loaded. I absolutely would never think of taking money from him. It seems wrong, and I don’t want to feel like I owe him anything.
The boys play a game against another team, and it’s adorable to watch them skate after the puck as they stickhandle their way across the ice.
“Go, Liam,” Rebel shouts.
She isn’t the only parent cheering on her child.
When Crew shoots for the net and misses, I stand and cheer him on, squealing loudly and waving my hands in the air. When my son turns to look at me with disappointment that he missed the shot, I blow him a kiss and continue to cheer him on, which buys me a smile.
The game flies by quickly. Crew’s team won. Little Liam scored one of the goals. When the boys get off the ice, they ask if they can have a sleepover.
“Oh, Crew has school tomorrow,” I say to little Liam.
“Can he come over to my house and play?” little Liam asks me.
Rebel cuts in. “He’s more than welcome to come. Wolfe is out of town, and Liam gets bored when he isn’t home. Having Crew over would be great. He can have dinner with us.”
I look over at Patty. “We can always pick him up later with my new car.” She winks.
“Please, Mommy, can I?” Crew pleads, folding his fingers and pressing his palms together like he’s praying.
My stomach dips. I know it’s crazy, but other than school, Crew has never really been anywhere without me.
“It’s really no problem,” Rebel assures, reading my hesitation.
“Thanks, but it will be hard for me to get him home later,” I say to Rebel.
“You can take the car,” Patty offers. “I added you to the insurance. That is if your license is still valid.”
“It’s valid, but I don’t have much driving experience. I wouldn’t feel comfortable heading across town, especially with my cast on.”
“Then I’ll go for a ride. It’s not like I have to be anywhere later on,” Patty says, and my anxiety rises. I know everyone is being kind and helpful, and Crew really likes little Liam, but I don’t know.
That’s when I look up into Patty’s eyes, and her brow furrows. She takes me by the arm and guides me away from our little group. “Crew, stay with Rebel a second,” she says.
She pulls me far enough away that we are out of earshot, but I can keep an eye on Crew.
“What is going on with you?” she asks.
“What do you mean?”
“You look like you’re sweating. You’re breathing fast. Why are you melting down?” Her words cause my whole body to feel like it’s going to give out on me. I walk over to the edge of the arena and lean on the plexiglass.
“I’m panicking.” I place my palm on my forehead as my heart beats a mile a minute.
“Why?” she asks.
“It was hard enough to allow my son to play hockey. Now he wants to hang out at a house with a kid whose father plays in the NHL. Maybe Crew’s father can stop by their house. What if he sees him, and he wants him? What if he fights me for custody? I have no money. I would lose my son,” I state, talking too fast.
“Shit. Sky. Take a deep breath,” Patty urges, placing her hand on my shoulder. “I don’t think Wolfe is friends with Carter Lewis. I sure as hell don’t think he would be hanging out with Rebel when Wolfe isn’t home. They are good people, Sky. You can trust them. Rebel is a great mom. She would never let anything happen to Crew,” she says. All of her arguments are logical, but it takes my mind a few moments to catch up while I breathe slowly and convince myself there is no impending danger.
“Okay, damn, you’re right,” I sigh. “I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
