Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“I’d rather not.” I gave him a pointed look.
He cursed softly. “Shit. I forgot that Ski and Daniel dated. I mean, I didn’t forget. I hate that fucking asshole. He’s part of the reason she got hurt, but I keep forgetting the details. Does that make sense?”
Ski. I’d heard him use the nickname before, but my mind had been caught up with other worries. Now, more memories flooded in.
I must’ve made some sort of face because he asked, “What?”
I shrugged. “It’s nothing. Just…Daniel used to tease her about being called Ski. I heard him sometimes in the house, bitching about it. He didn’t understand it, and she wouldn’t let him use it. Said it was just for you.” I laughed, but it was bitter. “He hated that, being told he couldn’t do something. Sad part is that he didn’t even really care. Not about your sister. Not about the nickname. He just didn’t like being told no.”
“Oh.”
“Can we go to one of your sister’s jobs?”
He nodded. “Let’s try the bar first. She works in the kitchen at the nursing home, and she’s adamant about not letting people know she’s related to me, said her co-workers wouldn’t handle it well. She’s more likely to make friends with co-workers at the bar.”
I nodded as he looked up the address, and once he typed in the name, I knew where it was. I pulled out and swung my car around in the right direction.
“You know the place?” he asked.
“I’m assuming there’s only one Hank’s Tulip in Oakes, Minnesota, so yeah. I know where it is.”
I pulled out onto the street. I didn’t tell him it was the bar a couple friends and I had tried to sneak into in high school. That was when I was still trying to make friends, have friends, keep friends. That was before I learned friends were not worth it.
My phone rang. The dashboard announced that Mal Benoit was calling.
I reached for the ignore button, but Tyler got there first and hit accept.
I cursed under my breath and hit him anywhere I could reach.
He tried to dodge my hands, but he was too busy laughing.
“Hello?” Mal said when no one said anything.
“You little fuck,” I mouthed at Tyler.
He laughed silently and pointed to the dashboard.
“Rain? Are you there?”
I cleared my throat. “Yes. Hey. Hi, Mal. How’s it going? I’m in the car.”
“Hi. I wanted to check in. You know, see how you’re doing. And if you wanted to grab that glass of wine sometime?”
My hands tightened on the steering wheel, and for a moment, I was transported back to that bathroom, back to that moment I’d seen Dane. I pulled in a ragged breath. “I’m, uh…”
Tyler’s eyes narrowed.
I ignored him. “I’m okay, Mr. Benoit.”
“Mal. Please. After—please call me Mal, Rain.”
“Of course.” I smiled. “Mal.”
Tyler rolled his eyes. “Mal?”
I gave him a look as I straightened in my seat. “Anyway, I’m doing fine. After what we talked about.”
“Of course. That’s good. Listen, uh, there’s another reason I was calling. First, I meant the offer as a friend. I can’t imagine—”
I coughed to shut him up and raised my voice. “Yeah. It’s okay. I don’t want to rehash it.”
“Of course. Of course, but…” He cleared his throat. “We’ve got more of the eastern teams coming. We’re playing Griffin’s previous team early next week and then Montreal after Thanksgiving. With the holiday, and knowing about your situation, I wondered if you wanted to watch the game with me? In the owner’s suite.” When I didn’t reply right away, he added, “No one has to know you’re there. Just you, watching the game.”
A tornado took root inside of me, churning and twisting and causing all sorts of damage.
Daniel.
He’d be here, the day after Thanksgiving. They were playing that Friday night against the Grays.
Dane was one sort of monster. Cold. Ignoring me. But Daniel. He was a different beast.
“I…” I forgot who else was in the car for a moment. My voice dropped, and I held onto that steering wheel so tightly, trying to focus on my driving. “Maybe. Maybe? Can I make a decision later?”
“Of course. And I meant it about a glass of wine as well.”
“Thank you, Mal.”
“Of course. And if there’s anything the team or I can do for you, just let me know. Have a good night.” He signed off first, leaving the car in silence.
Daniel.
If I went to the game, I’d have to see him again. In person. The day after Thanksgiving. Our dad had been there for Dane’s game. Would he be at Daniel’s too? Did our dad even still live in Minneapolis?
“Mal, huh?”
I sighed and closed my eyes. “I almost forgot you were in the car. Can we rewind a few minutes?”
“Har har. So…” He turned to face me.
I glanced over. He wasn’t going to let this go. I was still going to try. “Can you not?”