Page 24 of Lucky Bounce: Game On: Part Two

Lately, it happened every single time he visited her. He'd sit in the car for a few minutes, mentally preparing himself for whatever situation might arise when he walked through the front door.

He loved her so much. Hell, she was the only family he had, and knowing that he probably didn’t have a lot of time left with her wrecked him. Seeing her deteriorate before his eyes was fucking brutal.

The sooner he went in, the sooner he could leave. The thought wracked him with guilt, but he also couldn't deny it was the truth.

He wasn't emotionally weak. He'd handled some rough shit over the course of his life.

But this? It destroyed his soul.

Sighing, he climbed from the car and slammed the door. His mother's next-door neighbor waved at him from her front porch. He lifted his hand in greeting, then locked the vehicle and trudged up the sidewalk with a heavy heart.

This was never going to get easier, no matter how much he tried to psych himself up beforehand. It wasn't a hockey game. No amount of will, mental hype, or positive attitude would change the outcome.

He unlocked the front door and peeked his head in. His mom's daytime nurse, Irena, stood in the hallway.

"Hello, Eli." She motioned for him to come inside.

He stepped into the foyer and closed the door behind him. "Hey, Irena. How's she doing today?"

"Eli, we need to have a talk." A crease formed between Irena's brows, and she ran a hand through her thick, gray hair. "The sooner, the better."

He rubbed his forehead. "That good, eh?"

"She's been waiting for you. Impatiently, I might add. Just spend some time with her. We can talk later."

"Sorry I'm late. I got here as soon as I could after practice ended." He shoved his keys into the pocket of his cargo shorts. "It was a long day."

"I know. I explained to her that you were at practice, but she didn't understand. Today, she can't comprehend that you are a professional hockey player. She kept talking about how she couldn't wait for 'little Eli' to come home and have his snack of cookies and milk."

He dragged his hands down over his face. "Jesus Christ."

Irena gave him a gentle push towards the kitchen. "Come find me after your visit, okay?"

"I will."

He took a deep breath and headed toward the kitchen. The floors creaked underneath his feet, and the familiar sound gave him comfort. It was like being a little kid again. He knew this house inside and out.

The amount of money he'd paid to move it from New York to Las Vegas had been staggering.

It had also been worth it. He hadn't wanted his mother upset about having to leave her home or all her things to come to Vegas. And there was no way he could handle having her live so far away when she needed help.

He pushed open the beige swinging door and found his mother sitting at the table, crying. Jesus, she looked as if she'd aged fifteen years since last week.

It broke his goddamn heart.

"Don't cry, Mom. I'm here now," he said softly, kneeling down in front of her.

His mother lifted her head and wiped her eyes. "Eli! Where have you been? I've been waiting for so long. The cookies are ready."

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." He gave her a soft hug. She looked so fragile; he worried she'd break if he held her too tight. "Practice ran late."

"Look!" She gestured to three trays of chocolate chip cookies on the counter. "Eat as many as you want."

Eli pressed a kiss to her forehead and stood. "These look amazing, Mom." He swiped one of them off the tray and took a big bite. "And they're still warm, just the way I like them."

His mother went over to the fridge and pulled out the milk while Eli took a glass down from the cupboard. She handed him the carton.

"Once you finish your breakfast, get your hockey bag together and put it in the car, honey. I don't want you to be late for practice. Did you finish all of your homework last night?"

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