Page 125 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
“It is true,” I cut my mother off, my chest burning. “It always has been. How many times did you scold Ed, Jane, Rosa, and Keith for their choice in who they dated or married? I can count it on one hand. But me? Lots of times. At first, I thought it was because you really cared about me and didn't want me to get hurt, but then, as time went on, it just seemed quite the opposite. I’ve always been the one no one paid much mind to. The one always fighting, always wanting your attention, your love. The one whose ideas and wants got shut down or asked to be reconsidered while the rest of you…” My breath catches, my vision blurring. “The rest of you just got things. No resistance. No hesitation.”
“Sweetheart…,” my dad starts, standing to walk over to me but I cut him off, my mind already spiraling.
“No, let me finish, Dad,” the words spilling out now, raw and jagged. “It’s too much…, all too much. I’m tired of the shaming, the constant disregard, the comparisons, and the constant family meetings called because they have something to discuss about ‘Whitney.’” I press a hand to my chest, my heart hammering against my palm. “Do you even realize how much that hurt? How much it still hurts?”
I drag a shaky hand through my hair, letting out an unsteady breath. “You want to know why I fell for Blake? Yeah, it started out as a stupid crush on my brother’s handsome best friend, but it became so much more than that.” My voice wavers, but I push through, the words spilling out fast, raw. “Because he saw me.”
I let out a shaky laugh, shaking my head. “Do you know what that felt like? After years of being the one who had to fight to be heard, to be noticed? To have someone actually look at me and see what I needed?” I swallow hard, my throat burning. “He was…, there. He listened when no one else did. He made me feel like I mattered when I spent most of my life feeling like I didn’t.”
I turn to my parents, my hands trembling. “And you think that’s not enough? That he’s not good enough for me?” My voice rises, thick with emotion. “He filled the emptiness you all left behind. He gave me what I spent my whole life searching for - love, acceptance, completeness. And you want me to throw that away?”
Silence.
A lump forms in my throat, but I force myself to keep going. “You know, I used to think maybe I was just needy. Desperate for attention.” I let out a bitter laugh. “And maybe I was. Maybe I am. But can you blame me?” My chest tightens, the weight of years pressing down on me. “You all adore Rosa. You respect Edward. Treat Janet like a princess. Cuddle Keith. Keith…” My voice catches as I turn to him, my heart squeezing. “We were close. Until we weren’t.”
Keith’s jaw tightens, his arms still crossed, his eyes soften. “That’s not true,” he says quietly.
I let out a hollow laugh. “Yeah, it is. We were close - until we weren’t. I enjoyed being with you, but then, I suddenly felt like a shadow hovering around you because you were the only one who didn’t mind my presence.” My voice shakes, but I keep going, needing to get this out.
He shakes his head. “Whit, I…”
I cut him off, my voice cracking. “This might be random, but did any of you know I was bullied for a semester in high school?”
The room stills.
Edward stiffens. Rosa’s eyes widen. My mother’s lips part, shock written all over her face.
I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “No. Of course, you didn’t. I tried to tell you. But no one ever listens to me.” My voice is hard. “You only listen when it’s convenient. When it fits the version of me you’ve built in your head.”
My father finally speaks, his voice gruff. “That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it?” I challenge myself, my eyes burning. “Look, I’m sorry if I didn’t tell you about Blake sooner. I should have told Keith - if there’s one person in this family I regret keeping it from, it’s him.” My throat tightens, but I don’t stop. “But I knew this would happen. This interrogation, this judgment - like I’ve done something wrong just because I love him.”
I inhale sharply, looking around the room, my chest heaving. “I love you all. I really do. But this - this is enough.”
I meet each of their eyes, one by one, my voice shaking but steady. “I am not breaking it off with him. And I need you to please come to terms with that.”
I hold their silence for a beat. Then, without another word, I turn and walk away and spend the rest of the day crying in Blake’s arms and spending time with the kids.
Chapter twenty-six
Blake
The time leap has been crazy.
Yes. I said time leap because the days have been moving too fast. It’s like I blink and it’s a new day and suddenly, it’s been two weeks. Two whole weeks since I held Whitney, crying in my arms that day.
I’ve talked to her dad and Edward. Well, “talked” is a stretch. More like got chewed out. They were upset - still are. As for Keith? He’s not talking to me.
Mom is back with Rachel. They were livid when we told them, but they’ve gotten over it. Mom’s always loved Whitney, and now, they’re practically inseparable. It’s like they’ve formed their little squad - Mum, Whitney, Rachel, and the kids. They’re always together, even joining her in some of her videos. They even tagged along when Whitney traveled to Bora City, a quiet coastal city, for her content. They should be back today.
I need them back. It’s been lonely without any of them. The guys have practically been having sleepovers in my house since they left.
Bunch of loud mouths…
Right now, my focus is on the ice.
We’re up against the Ironbacks in the Conference Finals. Game 7. Best-of-seven series, tied at 3-3. When we win this, we move on to the Kelly’s Cup. Lose, and the season ends right here, right now.
