Page 61 of Tempting the Goalie
Mr. Thorne reaches out and places his hand on my shoulder. “This is tough news. Maggie’s and Kyle’s deaths rocked this town. We never did learn how she lost control of the car, but learning they were in a relationship hits hard.”
“It does.” I blow out a breath. “Do you think it’s why Helen ran?”
Mr. Thorne looks back at me with an intensity in his eyes that matches what I am feeling right now. “I think so. Those two were as close as sisters. Even more so. They did everything together. Helen got pregnant with Phoenix and Maggie soon followed and she had Elyna.”
“Only my mom didn’t continue to have children like you and Helen. I’m pretty sure I must have been an accident if things were so bad between my parents,” I state.
“I don’t know, son. Your dad had a drinking problem, and he didn’t always treat her right. She was scared to leave him,” Mr. Thorne shares, which makes me feel even worse that I was brought into the world under such unloving and difficult circumstances.
“Does my dad still have those letters?” I ask.
“I think so. He came by one night after you and Izzy went back to school at the end of summer and waited while I read through the letters. Then he took them back, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he burned them,” Mr. Thorne says. “He made a fire out in the backyard that went out of control. We had to call the fire department to put it out.”
“This is all making a whole lot of sense. I saw the missing trees and didn’t understand what happened.”
“Your father’s been on a long bender ever since, but it’s gotten worse in the past month,” Mr. Thorne explains.
“Since Elyna came home with Braden,” I say sadly.
“Yeah,” he agrees. “I wanted to speak with Elyna myself, but I didn’t know what to say to her. I offered her a place to stay in the main house, but she wasn’t having it.”
“Thanks, sir. My sister can be stubborn.”
“I’ve had a car patrolling our street and keeping an eye on your house,” he says. “Don’t want that father of yours starting any more fires. As it is, we’ve picked him up a few times from The Frosted Mug because he was causing a ruckus. Kammy didn’t want to press charges.”
“Maybe that’s the problem. We’ve always seen him as this functioning alcoholic so we cover for him, but it just enables him. He needs help. He isn’t in a good place, and I’m scared of what he’s capable of.”
“I can’t just arrest him, and he needs to sign himself into a rehab facility. Unless he breaks the law, my hands are tied,” he explains.
“I understand. I need to find a place for Elyna and Braden to live. It isn’t safe for them in the house. Izzy felt something off last night after my dad went off on her looking like Helen. I kept an eye on Braden all night.”
“With good measure,” he says. “My Izzy does look a lot like Helen. She’s a beautiful, sweet girl.”
“She is,” I say, feeling my cheeks turn warm.
Mr. Thorne chuckles. “I’m going to need to get used to you two together.”
“Yes, sir,” I agree.
“Remember, you’re a good man. Don’t let your parents tear down what you’re building toward,” he adds. “You know I grew up with a dad who had an addiction problem too. He started off with prescription meds and it got out of hand,” he says,surprising the hell out of me. “The reason I’m sharing this with you, Luc, is that we can choose a different path than our parents. I tried hard to be a good husband to Helen. I knew she had her own demons she was fighting. At the end of the day, I dedicated myself to doing right by my kids, and I’d say it has paid off.”
“You have a great family, sir,” I agree.
“Okay, go find Izzy. I’m guessing she knew you were coming over here and knowing my daughter, she is anxiously waiting to speak to you. I’m happy for you kids.” He claps my back, and I take it as a cue to go find Izzy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Isabelle
“Your dad gave us his blessing. Well, kind of. He already knew we were together,” Luc reports impishly.
“You know Daddy. He just knows things,” I say as I take Luc’s hand. I want to guide him to my room, but he stops me.
“There’s no way I’m going up there now,” he balks.
“You’ve been in my room a million times,” I remind while giggling.
“This is different and you know it,” he says, looking at me like he means business.
