Chapter 47
CHAPTER
FORTY-SEVEN
CHANCE
The realtor leads the way to the listings he’d initially found for me and promises to take me in a different direction if I don’t fall in love with any of them.
By the third listing, I understand where his confidence comes from.
Every house offers a unique charm—whether it’s the lake-side property with the priceless view or the sprawling acreage where I can, in the far off future, build April her own garage.
My eyes light up every time I step inside a foyer with an open floor concept, or picture making breakfast for April in the state-of-the-art kitchen or think of cuddling April in front of the fireplace.
But I’m alone in my exuberance. April is quiet and unengaged the entire way through.
‘Not this one’ is what her trembling lips seem to convey.
Not this one.
Not this one.
With a head shake of disinterest, we’re off to the next until we’re out of options.
The realtor promises to get back to me with new listings by the middle of the week and he drives off in a cloud of disappointment.
I take April to lunch where she seems to bounce back to her normal self and nothing appears out of the ordinary until our appointment with the realtor the next Wednesday.
“I’m not feeling well,” April says groggily into the phone.
At those four words, my boyfriend powers activate. “What is it? Flu pain? Stomach pain? Headaches? Hold on, I’ll clear out a pharmacy.” I prepare to throw my hockey stick down in the middle of the hallway and run to her. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Chance, n-no. I’m just tired. I’ll be fine.”
“That’s okay. I think the realtor’s flexible. I can call him and reschedule for tomorrow.”
“No, tomorrow isn’t good for me.”
“How about Friday?”
“That won’t work either.”
“Saturday?”
“Can’t.”
“Sunday?”
“I have a… thing.”
I frown. “Is everything okay?”
“Of course.”
“Did something happen with the garage that you didn’t tell me?”
As far as I know, April’s had to turn down jobs. As her stellar reputation spreads, more and more people want to work with her. At this point, she’s booked until next year.
“No, it’s not the garage.”
“Your dad then?” I press.
Mr. Brooks looked fine when April and I visited last week. His nurse assured us that his appetite’s improved and he spent the entire visit talking to me heartily.
“Chance, I told you nothing is wrong.”
April sounds… angry with me. But I can’t remember doing anything wrong.
“April,” I drop my voice so my teammates can’t hear me, “ever since we saw those properties, something’s been off with you.”
“Off how?”
“I don’t know. It just feels like there’s something you’re not telling me.”
She remains silent.
“If you have concerns, let’s discuss it. I’m on your team, Tink. No matter what. Nothing between us will change.”
A little sigh flutters through the phone. “I’m busy, Chance. I’ll talk to you later.”
Then the dial tone rings coldly in my ears.
The metal weights clank loudly matching the sound of my loud grunts. Sweat stings my eyes, but my hands are wrapped around a steel rod, so I just let it sting.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.”
The weights suddenly lift from above me and Max deposits them back in the cradle.
“What are you doing here?” He checks his watch. “Practice was over hours ago. Shouldn’t you be on a hot date with April?”
“She’s busy.” I sit up and roughly wipe my face with a towel.
“Oh. Well, then… that means you have time to join us at?—”
“She’s been busy a lot lately,” I tack on.
“It’s understandable. She’s making a name for herself as one of the best mechanics in town. Now, about tonight, if you’re not doing anything?—”
“I think I messed up.”
Max releases a long-suffering sigh. “What did you do?”
I swing my legs over the bench. “I think she knows I’m keeping something from her.”
Max looks interested now. “Something like what?”
“I’m leaving soon.” It’s supposed to be an exciting admission, but my heart drags to the ground.
Max’s eyes dart all over. “I didn’t tell you anything.”
“No, it wasn’t you.” I think back to the call I had with my agent three days ago. “Derek let it slip that I’m doing a commercial for the EB Sports channel.”
“But don’t they only hire athletes from the league… oh?” Understanding dawns in Max’s eyes.
“I don’t know how to break it to April. Especially now that things between us feel strained. How am I supposed to tell my girlfriend I’m moving across the country and I’ll probably only see her once or twice a month?”
“No idea. But the longer you drag it out, the worse it might be.” He shrugs.
I groan and run a hand down my face.
Max encourages, “If your relationship is strong and you really believe that she’s the one for you, then you’ll work it out. Somehow.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” I stare at the sweat-droplets on the ground, deep in thought.
Max slaps me on the back and then grimaces. Wiping his hand on his shirt, he offers, “Hey, how about you think of a way to tell April at The Tipsy Tuna?”
“Great idea. I’ll buy a couple burgers and drinks for April and swing by the garage to check on her. She said she was tired this week. Maybe she hasn’t eaten yet.”
“Er, yeah. Great idea. Let’s go.” Max juts a thumb at the door.
After shifting out of my sweat-soaked shirt and loose basketball shorts into a fresh T-shirt and sweatpants, I follow Max’s car to The Tipsy Tuna.
I’m not surprised at all when I see the crowded parking lot. It’s the weekend and there’s not that many places people can go after work.
Max waits for me at the top step.
I frown at the dark windows. “Something’s weird.”
“What is?” Max asks, shuffling from one foot to the next.
“I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go inside.” Max tries to nudge me forward.
I look up. The sky is a dark, swirling black with rain clouds looming like a volcano about to erupt. Bringing my attention back to The Tipsy Tuna, a thought strikes.
“There are so many cars here, but I don’t hear any music or see any lights inside.” I frown at the dark window panes. “Maybe something’s going on in there.” I shake my head and point back to my car. “I don’t think we should go in.”
“For crying out loud, let’s go, McLanely.” Max grabs my arm and drags me into The Tipsy Tuna.
At first, the room is entirely dark.
A second later, the lights blare on, confetti explodes around me and a host of happy faces yell, ‘surprise!’
I look over at Max in shock and there’s a silly grin on his face as he points to the sign above the bar.
It says ‘Congratulations Chance’.
“Congratulations for what?” I ask Max.
“For getting your suspension lifted,” Derek says, stepping out of the crowd with a document in hand. “You did it, Chance. You made it back where you belong.”
“Whoop, whoop!”
A ruckus goes up from my teammates who are around a table, nursing beers and wide smiles. Even Gunner is there, and he lifts his beer high in salute.
“When did you do all this?” I turn in a slow circle.
“Oh, it wasn’t me.” Derek grins, pointing a finger. “It was her.”
At that moment, April steps forward with a cake. There’s a firework candle popping cheerfully from the middle. The words ‘McLanely 33’ is written in blue icing.
The candle sends soft orange light all over April’s face. She beams with a smile and my world is alright again.
“Is this why you were so busy lately?” I ask her incredulously.
She nods and then moves the cake closer. “Blow out the candles.”
I blow and take her hand, mouthing, ‘thank you’.
She scrunches her nose cutely.
Derek drags me away to snap a few photos and I make sure to call April a few snapshots later so we can take a few together.
Later that night, May finds me with a disgruntled look on her face. “Hey, Chance, why don’t I see any of the pictures you and April took tonight on your social media page?”
“I don’t know. My team will probably upload them later,” I assure her. “If not, I’ll tell my agent to fire my publicist and hire you instead.”
“Really? Yes!” She pumps a fist.
I start to walk back to the bar where the rest of my teammates have taken up residence when I catch April’s eye. She has her purse strung over her shoulder and she gives me a little wave.
I immediately barge over to her. “Are you leaving already?”
“Yeah.” She smiles softly. “I have to open the garage early tomorrow.”
I swing a look back at the guys before making my decision. “I’ll drive you.”
“Absolutely not. You were drinking,” she reminds me.
I frown because she has a point. Normally, I’m much more conscious about that, but all I could think about was being with April.
“I’ll ask around to find a driver?—”
“It’s alright.” She steps back. “Tonight is about you and hockey and those guys understand that world way better than I do.”
“I don’t care.” I wrap my arms around her to keep her close. “I’d rather be with you.”
She inhales and leans her head against me. “Me too. But think about the Lucky Strikers. I’m not losing a boyfriend, but they’re losing a teammate.” She arches an eyebrow. “I’m not losing a boyfriend, am I?”
“Absolutely not. Never.”
“Then it’s decided. I won’t stop you from enjoying your night.”
“Let me at least walk you to your car,” I offer.
Taking her hand, we step out of The Tipsy Tuna. It’s windy and I notice April hugging herself for warmth. Shrugging out of my jacket, I swing it around her shoulders.
April protests. “You keep giving me your hoodies. Do you have any left?” She laughs softly. “May’s warming up the car. I don’t need this for such a short walk.”
I wrap my fingers around hers. “Keep it until you get to the car.”
“Okay.” Despite not wanting my jacket, she burrows into it like a turtle hiding in its shell.
“Thank you. For the party.”
“It was Derek’s idea. I think he just wanted the pictures of you being chummy with your teammates to prove you’re leaving the Lucky Strikers on good terms.” She shakes her head with a wry grin. “But I was happy for the privilege. You deserve this, Chance.”
I stop in the middle of the parking lot and look down at her. “I, uh,” rubbing the back of my neck, I admit, “I thought you were angry with me.”
“Why would I be angry?”
“To be honest, I knew this was coming a while ago. It wasn’t official, but… there are some things we need to discuss. About us. About how we’re going to do this. I know long distance is difficult but I’m going to do everything?—”
April places both hands against my cheeks and stares at me with her sparkling green eyes. “We’re going to be fine. Do you hear me, Chance? You and I? We’re going to be okay.”