Page 102 of Three Pucks and a Baby

Lying through my teeth, I replied, “Nah, I’m good.”

Vivian cocked her head at me. “Theo, what have I said about lying to me?”

I grinned at her using my words against me. “You win. I’m pretty fucking nervous.”

She took my hand in hers. “It’s okay to feel that way. It’s never easy talking about ourselves with strangers, least of all doctors.”

“You never seem to have a problem with it.”

“Well, I am older than you.”

“Not that bullshit again.”

“You cannot discredit the maturity that comes with age,” she huffed.

“Yeah, well, some people have shit in their past that causes them to mature earlier,” I countered.

Vivian stared intently into my eyes. “Yes, trauma can do that.”

Scowling, I replied, “I didn’t say trauma. I just said shit.”

“It’s okay to admit you’ve had trauma, Theo,” Vivian said softly.

I snorted contemptuously. “You must be joking.”

“I wish I was.”

“There’s nothing traumatic about my life. For fuck’s sake, I have the very real potential of playing in the NHL. I have almost a 4.0 GPA. While the money was given to me, I own a townhouse and drive an expensive car.” With a shark-like smile, I added, “Let’s not forget how blessed I am in the looks department.”

Vivian didn’t laugh at my joke. At anything, she appeared even more forlorn. “Oh, Theo.”

I grunted. “Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“Pity me.”

“I’m sorry. That’s just who I am.”

I opened my mouth to argue where she could stick her empathy when the door creaked open. My breath hitched as a relatively young-looking dude stuck his head out. “Theo Novak?”

“Uh, yeah,” I croaked.

He jerked his thumb at the office. “Come on in. I’m Dr. Zeller.”

For a moment, I couldn’t move. It was like my ass was super glued to the leather. It was so bad that Vivian patted my knee encouragingly as if somehow that would get me moving.

As if sensing my apprehension, Dr. Zeller said, “Would you like your girlfriend to come in?”

“No!” I quickly blared.

While Dr. Zeller’s brows creased, he held his hands up. “That’s fine. I just wanted to offer it.”

Considering how I was looking like a complete and total pussy, I forced myself off the couch. “Let’s do this.”

Vivian stood up beside me. “I’m here if you need me.”

“I said I was fine,” I grumbled without looking back at her. I got halfway across the floor before I froze. Once again, I was retreating to assholery instead of dealing with my emotions. Vivian didn’t deserve my wrath.

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