Page 69 of Weak Side

Theo’s father boomed with excitement. “It’s a pretty big deal, huh?”

“Huge!” I smiled as I moved past the shock and into excitement. I tried to hide the enthusiasm, but Theo’s mother let go of her husband, came toward me, and wrapped me in her arms. I was stunned at first, but when she pulled back, I was pretty certain my face was a mirror of hers. “It’s sweet to see you so excited for him. We are too. We really just want him to be happy.”

Me too.I smiled again. “He deserves to succeed. He works hard.”

Both of his parents nodded at me just as Taytum leaned in and whispered in my ear that she’d see me at the party later. I sent her a soft wave, along with the other girls, and turned around to find Theo’s parents staring adoringly at their son.

“We’re so proud of him.” Theo’s mom looked back at me and then sighed wistfully. “I’m sorry. I don’t even think we told you our names.” She patted her husband on the chest, and he let out a gruff noise before spinning around and putting his hands in his pockets.

“I’m sure Theo hasn’t told you much about us,” he said, skirting around something that I was certain he thought I didn’t know, but I actually did. “I’m Daryl, and this is my wife, Linda.”

“It’s so nice to meet you, and yes, Theo has told me about you two.”

“He has?” Linda’s eye twinkled with something that I couldn’t quite make out, and I nodded.

“Yes.” I paused as my heart took a quick beating of envy. “He’s really lucky to have you two as parents.” I gave them both my full attention. “And you’ve raised him right.”

Linda laughed out loud, and I caught the quick glimpse that Theo threw us while talking to Tom Gardini. “Well, it’s nice to hear that.” Linda grabbed onto my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I didn’t think he’d ever get a girlfriend.”

My cheeks blasted with ripening heat, and I forced a smile. Theo and I hadn’t really talked much about the logistics of whatever was going on between us. I mean, for all intents and purposes, Iwashis girlfriend. But it started out as fake, and as crappy as it made me feel, Theo had no idea that there was more to Chad than him just being my ex. He had no idea that Chad was simply putting a pin in our relationship until the end of the year and that he planned to have me by his side afterward. And Theo had no idea that I’d kind of agreed.

“Aw, now come on, Ma.” Theo’s smooth voice stole our attention, and I instantly relaxed when his arm landed on my shoulders. “I was just waiting for the right girl.”

“It only takes one,” Daryl said, grinning mischievously, just like Theo.

“Sweet talkers, both of ‘em,” Linda whispered into my ear, squeezing my hand once more before letting go.

I laughed out loud, and when I peered up at Theo, my heart did a double-take. His bright-green eyes were pleased, and there was an air around him that wasn’t there before. Confidence? Happiness? I wasn’t sure what it was, but I knew that I liked seeing it.

“So, tell us, son.” Daryl leaned in closer as the hallway began to empty. I sent Ford, Emory, and Aasher a little smile as they walked past. Ford winked, Emory flicked his chin at Theo, and Aasher made sure to say a quick hello to Daryl and Linda before Daryl pressed his son to fill us in. “What did Tom say?”

Just then, I turned and looked at Tom Gardini. He was thehighlysuccessful owner of the NHL team that Theo had his eyes set on, and he was the main source when it came to Theo succeeding in his future. He’d told me all about Tom last night as we feasted on French fries from The Bex before he began his nightly ritual of prepping for the game.

According to Theo, Tom Gardini was destined for the NHL many years ago but ended up in a crash that destroyed the nerves along his spine. He was wheelchair bound, in rehabilitation facilities, and never fully recouped. He was the epitome of success. News articles floated around of his injury and how his future was destroyed, but instead of falling into a pit of despair, he continued to build an empire by assistant coaching, which propelled him into head coaching, and then eventually owning one of the best NHL teams in the league.

It was an inspirational story, that was for sure.

The end of Theo’s explanation to his parents caught my ear. “He pretty much sealed the deal with a tryout offer and mentioned a spot at the team development camp.”

“Son, that’s great news.” I stepped away from Theo so his father could wrap him in a hug, and I couldn’t help but notice the height difference between the two. Hockey players were big, and I briefly wondered if Theo got his height from the father he never met.

“I am so proud of you, honey.” Linda swiped a tear away, and I smiled at her, wondering what it would feel like to have a mother who was proud of your achievements instead of always wanting more.

Theo’s hand fell to mine, and I glanced back over at Tom Gardini once more, and to my surprise, he was staring directly at me. A soft smile touched my lips, and I nodded in my attempt to show that I understood why he showed up at The Bex and seemed interested in me. His strong brow deepened, and the suit he was wearing suddenly seemed fancier than before. I dropped my gaze down to his hand as he held his wooden cane in it, and when I crawled back up to meet his blue eyes, my heart started to beat a little faster.

Tom Gardini was still gazing at me, but instead of nodding or looking away, he stared with a curiosity that was painfully obvious. His head tilted to the side, and although someone was trying to get his attention, he had a hard time pulling his gaze from me.

That is weird.

I chalked it up to him analyzing Theo even further, and that was when I realized that Theo’s overall plan of fending off the puck bunnies was probably a good idea in the end. I was certain it looked better for Theo to have a consistent girl by his side versus a line of girls who were, nonetheless, considered gold diggers.

But even as Theo pulled on my hand and headed for the locker rooms, I still got a sense of unease, but maybe that had nothing to do with Theo and everything to do with me.

33

Theo

“What are we doing?”Claire asked, nearly tripping behind me as I dragged her by her hand.

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