Page 48 of Perfect Score

I wish it was dark out so we could see them all.

I’ve always loved my warm Christmases in San Diego but the drizzly rain and snow in Seattle is a new experience.

“It took me a year on the waitlist to get her in, but I think it’s been worth it. She’s really happy here.”

“You pay for this?” I ask, realizing after I said it that it’s none of my business.

Brent only shrugs in response.

“You can’t put a price tag on peace of mind. They take really good care of her here. And now, with Tessa and I living so much further away, I like knowing that she has 24-hour care if she needs something.”

Oh my God, hedoespay for it.

“How long has she lived here?”

“Ever since Tessa graduated high school, and I sent her to college.”

He pays for Gran’s retirement living and paid for Tessa to go to college too?

I knew that he took on being the caretaker for Tessa when their parents died during our senior year of high school.

He had just turned eighteen, and she was a few years younger than us. I’d heard he petitioned the courts to keep her, and his grandmother supported his decision. The courts agreed to it since he got drafted into the NHL right out of high school as a rookie and could financially support Tessa.

Gran played a huge role in making sure that Tessa was supported while he played out-of-town games, but from what I’ve heard from Phoebe and David, Brent has tried to doeverything he can on his own to care for Tessa since their parents passed.

I remember the day that Brent’s parents died.

Everyone in school was talking about it.

Tessa didn’t come to school for a couple of weeks, but Brent was back a few days later, not missing a single day of hockey practice.

He didn’t want to let his team down by not showing up, and getting drafted as a rookie wouldn’t have happened without his commitment to putting out his best on the ice, even when everything in his world was crumbling.

Brent pulls up to the front of the building at the entrance, and the valet opens my door for me.

Before I know it, Brent is by my side and leading me through the double doors of this magnificent building.

I follow him through the lobby, which looks like Santa's workshop exploded with red and gold Christmas decorations on every surface. Then we head down the grand hallway.

I can already hear the chatter from what I assume to be the dining hall.

The second we get close enough to see the open doors, I see hundreds of red and green balloons filling the top of the ceiling, with some scattered along the dance floor.

A huge buffet table is set up along the left wall and is piled high with food.

When we walk through the doorway, I’m surprised by how energetic everyone here is.

People are moving around and visiting with different tables. The Beach Boys Christmas album is streaming from the speakers in the corners of the room, and everyone seems to be laughing and having a great time.

“Brent! My boy!” I hear a woman yell from across the room.

The moment I spot her, I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my lips.

Gran.

She’s dressed from head to toe in a Mrs. Claus outfit, if Mrs. Claus was Victoria's Secret angel. From the massive feather boa around her neck to the slightly transparent floor-length red robe she’s wearing and kitten heels with more feathers to the red and white lacy teddy she has under, just barely covered under her robe.

To top off the look, she’s wearing a tiara with the words “Birthday Girl” over her Santa Claus outfit.

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