Page 70 of Heat It Up (Off the Ice)
“Thanks.”
Sofia goes outside and I briefly talk to Joni before joining her. She’s slipping her phone in her purse when I step out of the ER entrance.
“Did you get a hold of your mom?”
“Yes. She’s making arrangements to fly out as soon as she can.” Worrying her lip, Sofia glances at the sliding doors. “I’ll probably be here a few days until she arrives. You can go with Joni to his great aunt’s place for tonight, and head back to Helsinki tomorrow. I’ll call you when I get back.”
“I’m not leaving you.” And especially not to go anywhere with Joni. “I’ll talk to Nik’s uncle. I’m sure it will be okay if I stay with you a few days.”
She averts her gaze and toes a crack in the sidewalk by her foot. “If I ask you a question, will you be honest with me?”
“Of course.”
“Were you drinking before you came here? Is that why it took you so long?”
I ache at the sadness in her voice. All I can do is nod. My words, the ones she’s waiting for, clog my throat with their dirty truth.
She looks back up at me, and the sadness in her eyes is almost my undoing.
“I’m so sorry, babe. My leg was hurting and drinking was the only way I could cope with the pain. I swear this is the only time I’ve done that since we’ve been together.” The last time I drank too much—the night Joni took the photo of the girl kissing me—had nothing to do with my leg.
Her gaze searches my face, looking for the truth, separating it from the lies. “Did you drive here…were you…how did you get here after you’d been drinking?”
“I walked. The bar is across the street from the hospital. I wouldneverever drink and drive.”
Her phone rings. She removes it from her purse and answers it. I’m about to leave when Sofia slips her fingers between mine. That’s the only sign I need to know I’m forgiven for now, but if I screw up again, she’ll walk away.
I don’t want her to walk away.
She lets go of my hand and crouches while still talking to her mom. She digs around in her purse, removes a pen and crumpled receipt, then scribbles down her mom’s flight information.
They talk for a few more minutes before she hangs up. “My mom’s catching an early morning flight and will be here tomorrow night.” She should feel at least a little bit relieved at the news, but it’s like every problem in the world weighs her down, and she’s about to collapse under the pressure. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do. My mom can’t stay in Finland long, and someone needs to be here with my grandmother while she recovers.”
And Sofia’s the kind of person who would do that. She would throw away everything she’s worked hard for to be there for the one person who loves her and who has never let her down.
I hold onto her, wishing I could hold onto her forever.
But wishes only exist in fairy tales.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Sofia
A week later in the staff locker room, I toss my dirty uniform into the laundry basket and swing my camera bag over my shoulder.
“How’s your grandmother doing?” Maija asks.
“She’s better. Thanks. She came back home yesterday.” Mom’s with her and is staying for the next few days to make arrangements for Muumu’s care.
“That’s great. Do you want to go shopping with me? To celebrate?”
“Sorry, I can’t. I’m meeting up with Kyle.” Well, more like surprising him. He’s still working, but I’m hoping to get to watch him in action, which has to be a helluva lot more exciting than watching me at work.
She laughs shortly. “I think my boyfriend is in love with yours. All he can talk about is Kyle. He’s a big fan of his.”
“What’s it with guys and hockey?” And why be a fan of Kyle just because he also loves it?
“I swear my dating life revolves around hockey games. If I didn’t love Toivo so much, I’d be dating a guy who was into…um…lawn bowling.”
