11. Chapter 11
I’m hot and sweaty after a long day at the flower shop, and I’m looking forward to taking a shower and passing out. Mother’s Day, one of our busiest days, is Sunday, and I’ve been prepping for it all week. I’m sad I won’t get to spend it with my mom, but I have an off day tomorrow to hang out with her.
Pulling in front of the sprawling mansion I’ve lived in for the past two weeks, an unfamiliar black sedan is parked in my spot, so I park behind it. Living with the guys has gone surprisingly well. Talon is hunkered down in his studio most days and nights, so me and Foster have spent more time together when our schedules allow. Were all together when Talon drags himself out of his music cave. It’s easy, just being around each other and sharing a bit of our lives from our time apart.
Finding the front door unlocked, I walk into the foyer and start to slide my shoes off. All I want is to sneak up the stairs and close myself off in my room until I hear a familiar voice coming from the back of the house and freeze. With one shoe off and the other halfway there, I wonder if I can get them back on and get the hell out of here before someone notices me.
Blake, is that you? Foster calls from the kitchen.
Shit, Ive been found out.
I reluctantly remove my other shoe as Foster comes into the room, I thought that was you. We were getting ready to order dinner, you hungry?
I go stiff as he puts his arm around me and leads me back to the enormous kitchen. Itll be okay, he whispers as we walk in together. Cole sits on one of the stools at the island.
Hi, Cole, I say stiffly. It hurts that our relationship has devolved to the point that I tried to avoid him.
Hey, he replies, his voice carefully friendly.
I didnt know you were going to be in town, I say as I walk past where hes sitting towards the fridge and grab a Coke.
The Ice Dragons have asked me to come skate with them. I hope they’ll offer me a contract this summer before training camp. I’m surprised my mom hasn’t shouted it from the rooftops. She’s so excited.
She mentioned something, but I havent seen either of our moms much lately. Trying to come back home?
He nods, Its time. The Dragons are rebuilding to make an aggressive run for the cup next season. I cant turn down an opportunity to play for the team Ive dreamed about since I was a kid.
I smile while he talks about hockey. His passion for the sport has always brought me joy. I know thats what youve always wanted. I hope it happens for you.
Thank you, he smiles, and for a moment, time stands still. Im staring back at my childhood friend, not the stranger he’s become.
You guys want pizza? Foster asks, ending the moment and breaking the tension between us.
Fine by me, I answer, drinking from my pop can.
Cole agrees, and Foster takes out his phone to get on the restaurants app. The door to the basement opens, and Talon walks into the room.
Just in time. What do you want on your pizza? Foster tells him.
Don’t care, Talon says and walks over to me, giving me a toe-curling kiss in front of the other two. Hi, he says when he pulls away.
Hi, I whisper back to him as I resist the temptation to look at Cole and gauge his reaction. Is he aware of my tentative relationships with the two of them? I shouldnt care. Its none of his business.
Im going to go unpack my stuff. Text me when the food gets here, Cole says, leaving the kitchen. I hear his footsteps going up the stairs.
I raise my brow, looking between Foster and Talon. Unpack?
Foster winces as Talon answers me. Hes moving in. He didnt want to stay with his mom, and we had more than enough space. Its just temporary until he knows whether he has a contract with the Dragons.
Whatever. How long have you known Cole was going to move in here? I ask, more than a little annoyed.
This time, Foster answers me. A couple of days. We didnt want you to freak out because it wont change anything around here. He pulls me into his arms and kisses me. “We promise.”
I couldnt agree less with that statement. I am confident that being around Cole Thorne will change everything.
I dip another bread slice in the egg mixture and sling it on the griddle. I’m celebrating Mother’s Day by cooking Mom a brunch of French toast, bacon, and fresh fruit. Mrs. Thorne was nice enough to find something to do out of the house and didn’t mind letting me use her kitchen. It’s disappointing that I don’t get to spend the actual day with her, but we’ve gotten used to being flexible these last few years.
When everything is done, I pile it high on a plate and set it down in front of Mom at the dining table before returning for my own.
“This looks delicious. Thank you so much for doing this,” she says, digging into her meal.
“It was the least I could do. You cooked me breakfast for years.”
We’re quiet while we eat, and when we’re done, I clean up the kitchen before settling with Mom in the living room.
“How’s it going, living here?” I ask her.
“It’s great, just like we knew it would be.”
“I feel bad not being here more.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’re young still. You should be out more, not taking care of me. How are you doing, living in a house full of those men?”
“It’s not bad. Better than I thought it would be,” I answer her honestly.
“And Cole? He moved in yesterday, right? I know your relationship is tense.”
“We mostly ignored each other. I’ll be okay if we can continue like that.”
“Or you two could work through all the hurt between you,” Mom points out.
I don’t know if Cole and I could ever work out our past. I know I wounded him when I asked to date Foster and Talon, and our ultimate end shattered my heart completely. We may never be able to get past that.
“Do I need to tell them?” I ask Mom, knowing she’ll understand what I’m asking about.
“Not for them, but I think maybe for you. I don’t know exactly what went on between all of you, but I know it hurt you deeply. You don’t owe them anything. Revisiting your trauma will be difficult but might heal so much for you. I don’t see how you further a relationship with either or all of them while holding that back.”
She makes a very valid point. They can blissfully skip this chapter of our story because they don’t even know it exists. But I do, and I can’t move forward while holding that in my heart.
“You’re right. I need to tell them. It would be better all at once because I can’t do it over and over again.”
“Whatever you think is best, but remember it’s about you and not them. You don’t have to coddle their feelings.”
“But they never knew, and that’s not their fault.”
“You didn’t withhold this from them to be mean or petty. You were protecting yourself.“
“Thank you, Mom.”
I hug her and settle into her side to watch murder shows on TV because there’s no better way to celebrate.
The next day goes exactly as I thought it would at work, so chaotic that I barely have time to think. But when I get a minute to myself, my brain replays the conversation with my mom. I’m not ready to spill my heart and never will be, but like any wound, it’s time to rip the Band-Aid off.
On my break, I pulled up Fosters group chat for all of us roommates. This is the first time I’ve sent a message there.
Me: Is everyone free tomorrow morning?
It takes a few minutes before all of them reply.
Talon: I can be
Foster: Yep
Cole: I have some time
Me: We need to talk. Can you all meet me at White Oak Cemetery at nine?
No one replies, and I go back to work. When I check my phone again at lunch, there are multiple messages waiting for me.
Cole: OK
Foster: That’s a little morbid, pretty girl but I’ll be there.
Talon: See you there.
Me: Good. I’ll send directions where to meet me.
Both Foster and Talon message me privately to make sure I’m okay. I assure them that I am and go back to work. By the time I get home my legs were aching and I was a sweaty mess. I crawl up the stairs, take a long bath and put myself to bed. Tomorrow I’m sharing my son with his fathers.