Page 7 of Fate on the Ice

“I’m excited to be here but won’t be dating anyone. I need to sort out my life first,” I say, flashing the girls a smile.

“Famous last words,” Brooklynn calls out.

Then, before I realize what is happening, there are glasses being placed on the bar along with wine being poured into them.

“Let’s celebrate our new sister,” Sky calls out.

And we toast, drink, toast some more, and end up telling stories that are accompanied by giggles. For the first time in years, I feel at peace. This is my new home. These are my new friends. And this is my new life.

OTTO

My phone buzzes in my pocket. Reaching inside, I bring it out and wince at the name on the screen. It’s my mother. Not that I don’t love my mother, because I do. But she can be a bit much. I know it comes from a good place, but I don’t always want to hear it.

“Maman,” I call out as I clear my throat and sink down into my car.

I bought myself a brand-new Camaro. This is the end of the road for the Camaro, the last year they’re being built, and I’ve always wanted one, so it was a gift to myself a few months ago.

“Otto,” she calls out softly, her slight Canadian French accent soothing over the phone, even with just one word. “You won your big game,” she says.

“I did,” I state.

“I am so proud of you, my son,” she murmurs. “Does this mean you will come home to visit soon?”

She’s asking this because she doesn’t fly. She usually sees me play when I happen to be close enough that she can drive to the game. But generally speaking, I don’t see my mother unless I go to her.

“I hope to, but I have lessons and classes that I’m still teaching, and practices are going to start up again soon. Not much rest,” I say.

“Well, your father’s birthday is in two months’ time. I would love to have you come here for that. Your father would love it.”

She always does this. Always tells me that my father would love it if I came, her way of making me feel guilty. Then I get there, and my dad has no fucking clue she’s said that. He’s always completely fucking confused, and while it’s comical, it’s also annoying as fuck.

“I’ll see what I can do, but Maman?” She stays quiet, not speaking immediately as she waits for me to continue. “I would really like it if you and Dad came down here. I bought a house here. I have a whole group of friends here, and I’d love for you to get to know them.”

A long silence hangs in the air between us. Then she lets out a heavy sigh before she mumbles in French. I ignore her words, not wishing to concentrate enough to make them out. I still have a bit of a hangover and don’t want to deal with her theatrics.

“Okay, you don’t have to. It was just a suggestion,” I say, interrupting her foreign language rantings.

A few moments later, we end the call. She tells me that she loves me more than I could imagine, then whimpers and ends the call. I know she tries to make me feel guilty because I don’t go home as often as I should.

I physically can’t. When I’m not at the gym, I’m playing in a game, traveling to a game, or teaching lessons. I don’t know if she realizes that or just doesn’t care. I could guess which one it is, but I decide not to. Instead, I drive toward home.

Pulling into my spot in the driveway, I glance across the street and notice a woman carrying a box into the house. That’s interesting. It’s a woman I’ve never seen before. Because without a doubt, I would know that ass if I’d laid eyes on it before.

And I have never seen her.

Or her ass.

Holy shit.

She’s hot.

Chapter

Four

GRACE

Placing the last box inside, I spin around slowly to take in my new room and smile at the sight of the space. It’s not just a room. This is a home. It’s inviting and comforting, even if it’s plain. It’s waiting for a personal touch.

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