Chapter 45

Wade

NHL Star and Supermodel Kali Roth seen rocking out at My Chemical Romance reunion concert

The last few weeks have been wild. Awesome wild, not out of control wild.

I'm a new man. Well, me, but different.

Everything about my life feels bright and hopeful, as if the gray haze that's been clouding my view has lifted.

Between announcing our engagement, the surprise concert, then filming another game show, which was incredible, and winning ten games in a row, I've had the best couple of weeks.

Adrenaline is zooming through my bloodstream, making me feel like I am flying. I'm on cloud nine.

Standing in Marcus' office, waiting for him to appear for my weekly check in, I take the opportunity to look at the dozens of photographs covering his office walls. Former Eagle players, team photos, ones with celebrities who often come to games. I feel proud, being part of this legendary hockey team.

I'll go down in history in the Hall of Fame, with the likes of Ash and Leon.

What a time to be alive.

"Oh fuck, sorry, I mean, eh, what are you doing here, Wade?" Usually unflappable, Marcus walks into his office, sounding flustered.

I chuckle at him cursing. "Your secretary told me to wait for you in here. She said to tell you she's left for the day. Sorry, I can come back if you want, but it's my weekly check in. Savanna's not here and Dustin had to leave. Family emergency or something."

"Right." With his back to me, he hangs his jacket up on the coat hanger in the corner of the room. "Well, let's be quick. I have plans this evening."

"Okay. It won't take long." I know this because each check in is getting easier and quicker. I'm doing well, I don't need to be told that. I plonk myself down on the chair on the other side of Marcus's desk as he sits behind it.

Head down, elbow on the desk, he shields his eyes and I notice he's wearing thick-rimmed black spectacles which I"ve never seen him wear before.

"I didn't know you wore glasses?"

"I have an eye infection," he mutters, avoiding looking at me.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's fine. Fill me in quickly," he says abruptly, to the point of being rude, which is very unlike him.

I update him on the latest game show I was a guest on. My milestone puck I received for the first NHL defenseman in the history of the league to get seven assists in one period. How I'm settling into my house, my engagement to Kali, and my progress with Ash, Thomas, and Joe. And how I have managed to visit Caulder Creek several times to pick up a few more things of Gretchen's keepsakes to sprinkle around my house, which made Lola teary, although I have no idea why.

She's since found a place for every one of them, making the place look homier. They make me feel closer to Gretchen too, like she can see me and watch over me in my new home.

The only terrible thing that has happened, is while Kali and I were in LA, Lola and Graham split up. I haven't asked too many questions, but Kali informed me Graham called the wedding off and told Lola he wasn't ready for marriage, but then Lola discovered he has been sleeping with his shop manager, which Lola is devastated about. Because I spend every night at Kali's, I offered her my house until she finds herself a place.

I like having Lola around. She's become a good friend of both mine and Kali's, but she's heartbroken, which means I've caught her crying a few times and have had to console her.

I feel oddly protective and went out to buy her ice cream and fries because I know she loves the weird combination, and it stopped me going to see Graham and knocking the shit out of him.

"So, you're feeling good?" My attention returns to the room when Marcus speaks, still hiding his eyes from me.

"Never felt better." I frown, worried about his behavior. "Do you have a sore head too?"

"No, I'm fine. I'm satisfied with everything. You can go now."

Is that it?

Suits me. I have dinner plans with Kali.

Something shiny on his tie catches my eye, sending a cold shiver down my spine.

A hockey pin.

I feel sick all of a sudden.

"Thank you. See you next week." I rise to my feet and turn to leave.

Just as I'm about to step over the threshold, I pretend I have something to ask him. "Marcus?"

Startled, he lifts his head as if surprised I called his name. "Shit," he hisses. I look at the only photo of him on the wall with the team from more than a decade ago. I thought I was seeing things, but I'm not. It's been staring me in the face every time I stepped into his fucking office. It's him. But he's much younger, dark haired then, in a suit, wearing that gold pin I see in my dreams.

Shifting my gaze back to him, I'm paralyzed as we study each other.

It's like I'm seeing him for the first time.

And all I see is the unmistakable, familiar blue of his eyes.

While my blood turns red hot, a whooshing sound in my ears appears as if they are stuffed full of wool, and I can't think straight.

"Wade." His tone is low and sympathetic.

"I've got to go."

Storming through the corridors of the arena, everything passes me in a blur. Then I'm in my truck, and before I know what I'm doing, I'm driving in the direction of the only woman I hate with a passion.

And the woman who has been lying to me my entire life.

My mother.