Epilogue #2
“I was bullied by my parents and threatened and intimidated because of who I was…who I am. And your parents knew and did nothing. They agreed with it. So don’t stand there with that fucking cocky expression on your face like you caught me in a lie or you’re embarrassing me.
” I smiled at Sterling, and when I felt a hand on my shoulder, I looked into Rip’s solemn face.
“I have my family. People who love and care for me. So unless you’re willing to stand up for what’s right and decent, you and your shitty, backward views can march your little ass out of here. I have a celebration to get to.”
Davide stayed silent.
“Ready when you are, Denis,” Seb said, and my brows lifted in surprise that of everyone, he’d spoken up first. I nodded and smiled at him, letting him know I appreciated his support.
“Let’s go.” I turned, and with Sterling’s hand in mine, walked away.
The celebration had already begun by the time we entered Slapshots. I saw Gil, Sarah, and John Carver at a table in the corner with their aides, and they all had drinks and food.
“I’m gonna go over to make sure they’re okay.”
Sterling squeezed my hand. “I’ll be waiting.”
I kissed him, my lips lingering on his. “I’m counting on it.”
To my amusement, I was summarily dismissed from the table when I arrived.
“Go celebrate with all your friends. This is a wonderful night.” Gil raised his beer. “Amuse-toi.”
Sarah smiled shyly at me. “Thank you for inviting me. This is all so exciting.”
“I’m thrilled you are here.”
I pulled up a chair next to Gil. “I had a visitor in the locker room. My cousin.” I replayed the conversation.
Gil’s face was troubled. “Don’t be too harsh on the boy. He had to live with the family you left behind. All he knows is what he’s been told. Imagine the indoctrination. It’s up to you to tell him the truth.”
I hadn’t thought of it that way. My defenses were always up whenever my family was mentioned.
“Maybe you’re right.”
A surprisingly strong hand gripped my wrist. “I know I am. C’est ta famille. Just try. Now go have fun.”
I wasn’t even sure how to get in touch with him, but I could find out through the station. “Enjoy yourselves, please, and we will see you later.”
When I returned to Sterling, he was deep in conversation with Grayson Strong, who’d moved into his position as lead weeknight anchor. In his mid-thirties, the man certainly looked the part—strong, square jaw, neat, dark hair, and light-blue eyes. He projected warmth, charisma, and trustworthiness.
“Do you like doing more of the interview style of reporting you’re doing now with your own nightly show than simply reading the news?
” Grayson asked in his smooth voice. “Before I came to Channel 8, I watched your profile segment and was looking forward to working with you.” His smile was wry.
“Then only a few months later, you were gone.”
“You’re doing a great job. I know it’s hard at first, but Doug told me your ratings are climbing steadily.
As for my new position? It’s completely different, but I love it.
I get to concentrate on the breaking national stories of the day, ask the hard questions, and now that I’ve been there for a while, they’re going to allow me to travel for stories. ”
“No war zones, though.” I draped my arm over Sterling’s shoulders. “I draw the line at imminent danger to you.”
Of course, Sterling disagreed and made a face. “Says the man who gets hockey pucks smashed into his face and body. I’ll go when and where I’m needed.”
“We’ll discuss it when the time comes,” I huffed.
Grayson laughed. “I didn’t mean to set off an argument.” Originally from Florida, Grayson had joined Channel 8 after Sterling and I had become a couple and wasn’t aware of our less than illustrious beginning.
“Not to worry. That’s how our relationship started. We hated each other.” I winked at him.
“I wouldn’t say hated,” Sterling demurred, not because it wasn’t true, but because he loved to disagree with me. He knew I enjoyed the push-and-pull.
“How about loathed?” I replied, with a tap to my jaw, pretending to think. “Detested? I mean, I thought he was an uptight, snobbish ass in a suit.”
“And I thought you were an obnoxious thug on ice who only thought about sports.”
“Thug on ice?” I grinned and waggled my brows. “Ooh, I kind of like that. Makes me sound tough.”
Grayson watched our conversation with an open mouth. “Wow, well, this a complete turnaround, I guess, with the two of you together now.”
I snickered. “I mean, he’s still a hard-ass and uptight.” I patted Sterling’s cheek. “But it’s a turn-on.”
“And he still only thinks about sports.” Sterling smirked.
“Au contraire, mon c?ur,” I purred and hugged him close to kiss the top of his head. I didn’t miss the blush on his cheeks. “You’re always number one on my mind.”
The door opened, and my cousin Davide walked in. My good mood vanished, and I dropped my arm from Sterling, who’d begun to recount the hot-mic story to Grayson. With that innate sense he possessed to my mood swings, he immediately assessed the situation and took my hand.
No longer cocky, Davide approached me. “May I talk to you a moment?”
“You may. Right here. I have nothing to hide from anyone.” Gil might think I should talk to my cousin, but I wasn’t going to make it easy for him.
“I’m going to refill my glass.” Grayson, perhaps sensing tension, excused himself and walked to the bar. Sterling moved closer to me. My rock.
“I-I apologize. I shouldn’t have surprised you like I did on your big night.”
“So you think it would’ve been better any other night?” His face flamed. “How old are you anyway?” I searched my memory. “You were just a baby when I left.”
“I’m twenty-five. I was almost four when you left, but I was always sick, so I didn’t go outside much. Maman was too afraid I’d catch germs.”
It finally clicked. “I remember now. No one was allowed to visit. I don’t even know if I ever saw you more than two or three times.”
Davide’s faint smile came and went like quicksilver. “Very rarely, but I watched you from the window, always playing in the backyard with Papa and Oncle Charles.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you, but if you’re planning on attacking me, please walk yourself out the way you came in.”
He ducked his head. “I-I’m not. But you got to leave at sixteen. Can you imagine what it was like for me? Alone, with Papa and Maman watching my every move, always preaching the Bible to me. And my illness made it even worse. I was trapped.”
“Remind me because it has been so long. What was wrong?”
“My heart.” Almost reflexively, he touched his chest. “I was born with a defect that required many surgeries.”
Angry yet at the same time filled with regret that my exile had made us virtual strangers, I shook my head. “I am very sorry. But you’re all right now?”
He shared a beautiful smile with me. “Yes, I am.” His expression shifted, turning somber. “But when I asked where you’d gone, they said you were sent away because they were afraid you’d do the same to me that you did to Georges.”
Bile rose to my throat at the implication, and pain worse than any injury I’d ever sustained sheared through me.
“I never…I need to sit down.” Sterling steered me to a table, and shaking, I lowered myself to a chair. I rested my head in my hands before lifting my streaming eyes. “They are liars. We were both lied to. Are you still living up there? With them?”
“Not in the same house, but yes, in our hometown. I have a job with the local television station and got them to send me to your game. I guess they figured it would give them an inside scoop.”
“I don’t care what you have to do, but you need to get away from them. Maybe Channel 8 can get you a job.”
“I’m not leaving,” he said quietly. “I have a girlfriend, and we’re going to get married next year.
My life is there. I do believe you, and I’m going to go home and figure out what to do about Papa and Oncle Charles.
But…it would be nice to talk to you and maybe return for a visit.
Angelique has never been to the United States.
Now that I know the truth, things can be different. At least I hope.”
For the first time since I was a child, peace, not anger, filled my soul when I thought of my first home. And while I knew there’d never be a reconciliation with my parents, having my little cousin in my life might help ease the pain of loss.
“I’d like that. And I hope to meet her one day.”
Davide was nervous facing Sterling. “Angelique raves about the Love Lessons cosmetics line. She wants to model and has been getting a few gigs.” Like a good fiancé, he took out his phone and showed us a picture of the two of them.
Sterling chuckled. “I’m only an owner-slash-board-member of the company. I leave all the actual work to the people who’ve been doing this for years and have all the knowledge. But if you give me her address, I’ll make sure to put her on the list to get our newest lines and PR boxes.”
They were a beautiful couple, and I had an idea. “I’ve done some modeling. I’ll make a few calls. Both of you could get work.” He looked very similar to me in my twenties.
He blushed. “Thank you. That would be amazing. I know she’ll freak.” He checked his phone. “I’d better get back to the hotel. I have to talk to my news director, and I have a really early flight out.”
We shared a smile, and I jumped up. “Wait a second.” I brought over champagne and poured a glass for him and Sterling.
“Quiet, everyone.” The bar turned silent. “I want to make a toast. To the Brooklyn Blades, the best damn hockey team in the world with the best damn players. I love each of you like brothers. We may fight and disagree, but deep down we have a bond that cannot and will not ever be broken.”
“Damn right,” Rip called out, eyes bright, his arm around Adrian. “No matter what, we’ll always stick by each other.”
I sought out Gil. “To my Papa. I owe my life to you and making my dreams come true.” I hugged Sterling close. “And to my best friend, my lover, the other half of my heart…thank you for saving me.”
“You French are so romantic,” Sterling murmured, and laughter broke out from all corners of the restaurant.
“I’m Québécois. Not the same thing. For instance”—I dipped my head and touched my lips to his, and cheers and whistles rose from the crowd—“we are much better kissers.” Sterling’s face was bright red when I let him go. I tipped my head toward Davide and smiled broadly.
“We are a family, and that’s why we’re winners. To friends and family.” I held the champagne bottle aloft. “The ones who save us.”