Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Bridger’s expression softens. “Nah, I’ll be fine. Catch you guys later.”
In silence, we watch as Bridger walks away. The poor guy looks like he has the weight of the world resting on his shoulders.
Colby sighs. “Who knew his old man was such a dick?”
We all mutter in agreement.
“Guess we should get moving,” Ford says, heading toward the parking lot.
As we reach my beat-up truck, I realize that Larsa has vanished too. That’s probably for the best. She’s not exactly on great terms with the girls after the last time Carina caught her hitting on Ford.
Colby unlocks his shiny new Escalade as he and Ford climb inside. Steele beelines for his motorcycle.
“Meet you there?” Colby asks.
I shake my head. “Sorry. Like I told Larsa, I’ve got plans.”
Ford laughs. “And here I thought you were just feeding her a bullshit excuse.”
“Nope. Real plans.” I wave my teammates off and duck into my ancient ’96 Ford Bronco before they decide to pepper me with more questions. Those two are the nosiest bastards I know.
I fire up the engine, and the familiar rumble drowns out their voices as I pull out of the lot, driving in the opposite direction of Taco Loco. It doesn’t take long for the quiet to settle around me as I enjoy the hum of the road beneath the tires. Thirty minutes later and I’m pulling into the narrow gravel driveway of the single-story house that has seen better days.
The moment I park, the front door flies open, and Theo comes barreling out like a missile. The screen door slams against the aluminum siding before reverberating on its hinges.
“Theodore!” Mom’s voice carries from inside.
Theo ignores her, launching himself at me with a wide grin. The kid’s only ten, but he’s built like a tank, just like I was at the same age.
Ollie, my thirteen-year-old brother, lingers in the doorway, arms crossed against his chest, trying to play it cool. He’s been full of attitude lately.
I scoop up Theo in a mock wrestling move. “Missed you, little bro.”
“What’s it been, like a week?” Ollie asks, voice dripping with teenage indifference. There’s the barest glint of humor in his eyes.
I set Theo down and grin at Ollie, knowing exactly how to push his buttons.
“No—”
Before he can react, I tackle him, hoisting him up like we’re about to go full-on WWE. He squirms, laughing despite himself. By the time we’re done messing around, both of us are winded and our hair is mussed.
Mom stands in the doorway, watching with a smile. “Hello, sweetie.”
“Hey, Ma.” I straighten my clothing and shoot a grin at my brother before giving her a kiss on the cheek. With a glare, he gives me the finger. It’s tempting to put him in a headlock.
Instead, I turn to my sister, Kia, who’s standing by my side, grinning up at me with a gap in her smile.
“Look! I lost a tooth,” she says proudly, pointing to her mouth.
I crouch down, pretending to inspect the damage. “Looks to me like you lost two teeth.”
She beams. “The tooth fairy gave me four dollars!”
“Well, you better save it,” I say, scooping her up. She’s fine-boned, like our mother, and light as a feather.
Her arms tangle around my neck as she clings to me like a baby rhesus monkey.
She cups her fingers around my ear and whispers, “I hid it in Dolly’s diaper so the boys don’t take it.”
I carefully tap the side of her head. “Smart thinking. Probably the last place they’d look.”
When she flashes a dimpled grin, my heart melts. With her mess of golden curls and big blue eyes, she’s way too adorable for her own good.
Dinner is simple—Hamburger Helper, one of my childhood favorites. It’s comforting in all the right ways. Throughout the meal, my brothers compete for the funniest story, Kia picks at her food, and Mom just looks tired. The dark circles under her eyes never really went away after Dad died five years ago. Even though it’s been a challenge, she’s done her best to hold everything together for us.
After dinner, I help clean up while the kids retreat to their rooms. Once she settles at the small kitchen table with a cup of decaf, I pull a wad of cash from my pocket and set it down in front of her.
Mom stares at it for a long moment before looking up at me, emotions swirling in her hazel eyes. “You know… if we took them out of hockey, it would help with some of the expenses.”
I shake my head. “Forget it. They need the structure and discipline.”
She reluctantly glances at the cash again.
“They’d get into trouble without it,” I add when it looks like she’ll argue. “You don’t need that stress.”
She nods as wetness gathers in her eyes. “Oh, Hayes…” She sniffs, trying to hold it together. “I know I don’t say it enough, but I’m so grateful for everything you do.”