Page 108 of Scores Of The Heart

It might be a passion filled haze, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. In fact, it’s the best thing I’ve ever felt in my life.

CHAPTER 22

Tyler

Present day…

Things are a blur and a half as soon as we got back from Florida. Our plans to go over and see her dad straight away get pushed back because of Ashton’s situation with his father. It’s all very tragic and I know he’s not in a good mindset, but he has Maddison by his side and she’s proving to be his tower of strength.

Cindy and I have been inseparable ever since we got back. The guys were pushing me for info when I met up with them on the ice for a practice game, which we often do, even if the season is out. It’s kinda good just to have a muck around with them and not have the usual pressure that’s upon us. Our Stanley Cup win is still the buzz of the town.

I tell them nothing, as much as Jay pushes me to reveal some information about me and Cindy. He knows I’ve got it bad, even if I’m temporarily keeping a lid on it.

In fact, I’m sure Ash and Taylor know that too, even if they don’t know what went down on our trip. It’s not even that I think they’ll tell anyone. I just need to sort my shit out first before I let it fly how much I’m in love with her. I don’t regret one word of telling her that either. It’s been the one constant thing on my mind around all the chaos that proceeds us.

One thing for sure is that we will be coming clean first with her family and mine, and then come what may with the rest.

As another week rolls on, I’m starting to feel the pressure of the truth I’ve been keeping from her about Stacey. I can’t even get hold of her again and it’s irking me.

I’ve been trying since we got back from the trip and I was that close to blurting it all out in Florida, and again when we got home. It’s like this massive burden lurking in the shadows, and I know it has to come out. The problem is, Stacey is MIA and that’s worrying. Suddenly not answering any of my texts, or my calls, which strikes me as odd since she was the one that contacted me that night I got to Florida and needed to talk to me urgently.

I need to fucking talk to Stacey. I even try a couple of her friends, but don’t get anywhere because it seems no one wants to fucking talk to me.

I finally hear from her just after an exhibition game at the stadium. The season is far from starting, and I’m getting ready to go take some time off.

We’re planning to talk to her dad this weekend, and then head out to Mercer Island. Cindy put in for two weeks’ leave when Andrea gets back from Canada. We were both surprised it got approved at short notice. It’s just as I’m on my way to meet Luke for a bite to eat to fill him in on what’s been going on since I saw him last when her text comes through.

Stacey

Tyler, I’m sorry. I was in the hospital. I took a turn and my blood pressure was too high. I’m okay now, the baby is okay too. When do you want to meet up?

I stare at the message and immediately call her. I don’t know why she’s fucking texting me about this again when she could pick up the phone and dial my number.

“Hey,” I manage, when she picks up.

“Hi, Tyler.”

“Just read your message.”

“I’m okay, the baby is too.”

“We need to meet, ASAP. I can drive to yours.” She lives just out of the city. She moved when we split, but I don’t know exactly where, or her address.

“I’m uptown, staying with a friend close to the hospital. I can meet you this afternoon. There’s a cafe just around the corner called Cosmos?”

“Fine. I’ll look up the address. I’ll see you then.”

I run my hands through my hair when we hang up. I feel like the weight of the fucking world is on top of me.

It’s probably a good thing I’m not over at Cindy’s right now. I feel so damned guilty every time I’m with her. And I’m corrupting her at every turn. We’ve been slowly exploring since the day we got back, though she still hasn’t given me the all clear to eat her out yet. We’re working up to that. Hopefully she will still want to be near me when I break the news to her about what’s going on.

I need to work out what that even is first. And if Stacey doesn’t want to keep the baby, I need to work out what the hell I’m going to do.

Luke’s a pretty knowledgeable guy with the ways of the world, he’s had a tonne of girlfriends, and more recently, a long-term one. He’s always good with advice.

“Bro.” I slap him on the back in a pound hug when I see him. He came to the cup with his girlfriend and his parents, but I never got to see them with the commotion and the after party.

“Ty, you look like shit, man.”

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