Page 46 of He Has It All (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
Chapter 12
Ryan
After I check out of the hotel, I get an Uber ride back to the rental house to get the rest of my things, hoping that my brothers are already gone. Mom and Dad and Gramps are staying over another night with the Browns.
When I walk in, the place is empty, so I collect my things and go next door to say goodbye to everyone. That’s when I notice Maggie’s car out front. Shit. That means Chelsea is here. She’s driving the car home for Maggs. The knowledge slows me down but doesn’t stop me. It’s not like I can leave without seeing my parents or Gramps, or without saying thank you to Doc and Mrs. Brown.
The front door is open and I can see through to the back patio, so I go inside and make my appearance. Assessing the crowd, I say a silent thank God that my brothers aren’t here. Everyone welcomes me, except Chelsea. Gramps in particular is glad to see me. At least I always have Gramps on my side no matter if I fuck up with Chelsea.
But I’m not out to break anyone’s heart, least of all Chelsea’s. My heart? A week ago I’d have sworn I didn’t have one to break. Now I’m not so sure because there’s a tightness in my chest that doesn’t feel too good as I look for a seat as far away from Chelsea as I can so I won’t have to feel her discomfort, her vibes telling me to go away as sure as if she were shouting at me. All in that look on her face, the tragic, horrified look as if I’m a monster. As if I’m going to steal her heart and crush it.
As if I already have.
“Thank you for the perfect wedding weekend, Mrs. Brown, Doc,” I say, leaning down to hug Levi’s mom, shaking Doc’s hand.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself,” Doc says. “I apologize for the misbehavior of some of my friends and relatives—”
I laugh.
“Are you kidding? They were fine. You know how I like flattery.”
“That’s right,” Dad puts in. “Got to feed his ego. It’s endless.” Mom jabs him and gives a fake laugh. I roll my eyes as if his comment means nothing. And it doesn’t. Bounces off me. I’m immune after a long period of inoculation starting from when I played peewee hockey and got attention. It was a funny thing. Dad was proud of me and, at the same time, he wanted to make sure it never went to my head, wanted to make sure I never thought I was anything special.
Guess it worked. Job done.
“Ryan, I’m glad you’re here,” Mom says. “Gramps doesn’t want to stay over with us. Can you take him home? You’ll have to stay over with him at the house.”
“Sure can. Be happy to. Me and Gramps, my new wingman now that Levi has vacated the position.” Everyone laughs. Even Chelsea’s mouth lifts in one corner.
“Your wingman, eh?” Gramps says. “You mean you’re gonna bemywingman dontcha?” He gets up from his chair. “Let’s blow this joint.” Then he points to Chelsea. “You’re coming with us, aren’t you?”
She looks confused. I say, “Gramps—” He puts up a hand and stops me.
“You have the wheels dontcha? Maggie’s new car? I been waiting for a ride in it. A Mustang isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Chelsea says and smiles. “Of course you can have a ride. I’d be happy to take you to the ferry. My reservation is at four and I was going to be leaving soon—”
“You don’t have to,” I say.
“Of course she does,” Gramps says, raising his voice. Mom flinches.
“Ryan.” That’s all she says. It’s the tone of voice she uses that shuts me up. I’m a grown man, Rocket Richard Trophy Winner, millionaire many times over, benefactor of a dozen charities and my mom can still make me feel like an errant child with just one word. That’s power. Shaking my head, I smile in admiration. Chelsea gathers her things and takes Gramps by the arm. The room follows us to the front door for goodbyes.
I grab Gramps’s bag and mine. Mom stops me at the door and pulls me aside.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of Gramps,” I say.
“That’s not what I’m worried about,” she says. I look a question at her. She huffs out a breath.
“I’m worried about Chelsea, the way she looks at you. I think she has a crush—orstillhas a crush on you, I should say.” Sticking her finger in my chest, she says, “You better take care of that, Ryan Patrick O’Rourke. Don’t you lead her on. I don’t want that sweet girl’s heart broken.”
I’m too mortified with guilt to mention that her sweet girl’s a grown woman and she’s been trashing me on air for the past month. Not that any of that matters, because Mom is right. She’s always fucking right.And too late with her fucking warning. Keeping my mouth shut, because what can I say, I nod and leave.
And I’ve compounded my fuck-up from four years ago and made it so much fucking worse now, no matter how much Chelsea says she’s cool with a one-night stand. I know she’s full of fucking shit.
Her words reverberate in my head.What makes you think I’m interested in the likes of you?
As if I’m the scum of the earth. But then, I am. I proved it when I took her to bed and fucked her silly last night. I even contemplated not using a condom—that’s how fucking low I am. Letting her talk me into spending the night was the epitome of an out-of-control dickhead.
