Page 41 of Aftersome
Like Hayes never existed.
Like I never did.
“You only spoke once with him, Wren. Of course he had that reaction when he saw you; he never grieved properly and by seeing you, he’s finally facing what he left behind all those years ago.”
My eyes closed painfully.
I knew she was right, but of course I avoided the truth. To know that he didn’t want any of us in his life, I could accept. But knowing that if I left, he’d never truly heal, I couldn’t.
“He needs you, Wren,” she whispered. “Hayes needs you.”
My throat pulsated with a cry that never escaped. Instead, I let a single tear fall because the realization of it all hit me.
Hayes needs me to help him.
Greg and Shelia need me to help him.
For a moment, I couldn’t find the words to say. Back and forth I went with convincing myself I could do this and finally, I reluctantly agreed.
“You’re right,” I mumbled.
“I know I’m right.” She chuckled.
Eventually we had hung up and a few hours later, I found myself in the company of the Orchids’ left winger, goalie, and captain. After taking a break from their practice, I asked if I could make some short videos of them for the team’s TikTok and they all thankfully agreed.
All of them being tall and uniquely attractive, I tried my best to contain my nerves.
“So, what’s your name again?” With my camera in hand, I peered up from the screen and caught the friendly smile of Vince, the Orchids’ captain. When he took his helmet off, I was embarrassed to say I had trouble looking away.
He was beautiful.
Almost too beautiful with long mousy hair and a killer smile, but unfortunately, it did nothing for me.
“Wren,” I answered politely.
I had just finished a short, get-to-know-me video with Kyle, and now I was ready for Vince.
“Do you mind if we stand over there?” I motioned my hand closer to the ice where a few other players were skating around, practicing drills. “It just looks like there’s better light.”
“Yeah, of course.” He raked a hand through his damp hair, slicking back the strands that had fallen in his face.
Nodding, he followed me down to an open spot where I had him stand with his back to the glass.
“This okay?”
He was broad like Mal, but that was about as much as they had in common. To this day, I’ve never come across anyone that looked like him. He was built like a giant.
“Yea… Well, um, can you maybe take a few steps to the right?”
Once he did and I found that the lighting was better, I held up my camera.
“My hair look all right? I wasn’t sure whether you would want it kept up or down.” Vince chuckled while his grin radiated throughout the stadium.
“Oh, yeah, it looks fine like that.”
My cheeks went hot.
I couldn’t help it, though. I went from conversing with my eighty-year-old neighbor to now surrounded by alpha-type hockey men on the daily. As long as I was here, I didn’t think I’d ever stop blushing.
