Page 30 of Wake Me Up
The reporters talk about the game and how the Bruins center, CamHardy, is having a terrific night. They talk about how the Sharks center, Walker James, is one of the only talents that rivals Hardy’s strengths. And then, right when my mom plops down on the couch again, the cameraman finds Tripp, and the reporters dive into what a game he’s had, letting nothing get past him yet, even well into the second half of the game.
He guards his goal, just like he always does, and I swear it’s like watching a different person from the one I’ve seen during pickup and drop-off for Cash’s lessons.
A different one from the guy who proposed we get married just this morning.
Feeling my mom’s stare, I quickly look away and grab my glass from the coffee table before standing. “I’m going to get some club soda. Want one?”
“Sure. I’d never turn down something bubbly,” she says, staying on the couch as I walk into the kitchen and pull open the fridge.
“That Tripp Talmage is something, huh?” she calls to me, and I swear I almost drop my cup, feeling like I’ve been caught with my hand in the cookie jar. “Not bad to look at either,” she adds just as I’m pouring a club soda over ice.
Pulling in a breath, I carry our glasses back into the living room and pass Mom hers. I debate not saying anything back, but when she peeks at me while she takes a sip, I know that’s not an option.
“What are you getting at, Mom?” I say point-blank before relaxing back. “Go on. Hit me with it.”
She attempts to look offended, but fails. “Fine. You got me.” She shrugs. “That man seems to have taken a liking to your kids, is all I’m saying. I mean, first, he offers free lessons to Cash, and then he visits Avy in the hospital, bringing her a damn stuffed hedgehog.”
When I narrow my eyes, she grins. “I know everything, baby girl. Everything, I tell ya.”
Tossing my head back against the cushion, I sigh. My mom and I are extremely close. I can tell her whatever, and I know it’ll be safe with her. But what I am considering telling her … it’s a huge deal. So big, in fact, that I’m not even sure I should say anything at all.
“What is it, Frey?” She reaches over, patting my hand. “Talk to me, babe.”
There’s no easy way to say what I’m about to tell her. It’s not a good thing. How could it be good? It’s illegal. But … here I go.
“When he found out my insurance wouldn’t cover Avy’s surgery … Tripp offered to marry me so that I could have his health insurance,” I blurt out. “Well, first, he offered to just pay for the entire thing, but I said absolutely not.” I grimace. “I am not a charity case, and it would be a hundred thousand dollars—at least.”
My mom scooches closer, swiping her hand over my hair. “Sweetie … why didn’t you tell me that the insurance declined it? You know your dad and I would love nothing more than to help.”
That has me pulling back from her. “That right there is why I didn’t tell you,” I snap. “Dad worked his entire life for his retirement, Mom. He wants to travel with you.” I shake my head. “I refuse to take money from you all. I’d rather—”
“Marry a man you don’t really know?” she asks, cutting me off. Only she doesn’t seem angry, but instead … intrigued.
“Well, no,” I say quickly. “I amnotmarrying Tripp Talmage. Ever.”
“Why not?” my mom throws back intuitively. “I mean, his health insurance is good. He’s a damn stud muffin. Your kids like him. What’s the issue?”
I stare blankly at the woman who supposedly carried me for nine months and then pushed me out into the world and raised me. “Are you on crack?” I say sharply. “You know, now, I’m questioning if you are ready for a nursing home after all.” I gape at her in disbelief. “I hardly know the guy.”
“If he were a killer, he would have been caught by now,” she utters. “He’s too high profile to hide it.”
“Mom, what the hell are you even saying?” I feel myself growing angrier by the second. “First off, I don’t know him.” My throat suddenly feels achy. “Second off, what about this?” I hold my hand up, showing her my ring.
My ring that myhusbandgave me.
“Mom, I’m married,” I whisper. “I will always consider myself married.” I tell her the honest-to-God truth.
Single women can choose to marry men for their benefits. But I am not single.
“Jamie didn’t choose to leave us, you know.” I look down at my ring, holding my hand out to examine it. “And I can’t take Tripp’s money. The last thing I want to do is be indebted to a man like Tripp Talmage.”
Her head flies back like I said something crazy, and she shoots me a look of confusion. “I mean, I haven’t been around the guy, so I don’t reallyhave a leg to stand on here. But what exactly do you mean bya man like Tripp Talmage?Because I have to tell you, babe, everything I’ve seen has been good.” She waves at the television. “Half our family is at the game tonight because he gave them tickets. Your dad just sent me this ten minutes ago when you were in the bathroom.” She grabs her phone, tapping the screen with her fingers before holding it up. The display shows my two boys practically right on the ice, both enjoying popcorn and a soda. “Look at them, honey. And look at those seats, Frey. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, if you ask me.”
Now I rear my head back because I think this woman might have lost her damn mind. “Mom, I really thought you had a long time to go before I checked you in to one of those nice establishments with bingo and pudding, but you are talking crazy.” I drop my voice down, as if someone were here, listening. “It’s illegal to enter into a marriage for health benefits. You realize that, right?”
“Yeah, so let your dad and me lend you money,” she says, calling my bluff.
“No!” I stand up in frustration, pacing the room. “I am not about to do that. I am not taking everything you’ve worked your entire life for just because I followed the boy and not my career.”
