Chapter 16 Jackson
sixteen
Jackson
This is worse than a made-for-TV sitcom!
The game is far from over, but apparently Bill’s lightning machine overloaded the breakers or something, and the arena lost power.
We stood on the ice in the dark for a while.
At first, it was funny to watch Bill scramble to get someone to look at the machine.
There were several electricians in the crowd, but they all seemed to have the same opinion—that parts needed to be replaced.
Parts that had to be ordered, which meant the game was over.
We forfeited and took the loss on the biggest game of our season.
Bill can’t be mad at us.
This is all on him. I know one thing: I’m not sticking around to hear how upset he is. We use our phones for light, propping them up to help us see the locker room. I’m able to quickly remove my gear, stuffing everything into my bag.
“What’s wrong with your face, Owen?” Axl stuffs his skates into his locker.
I was hoping nobody would notice. We just took the most depressing loss of the year, but I can’t wipe the sloppy grin off my face. Ever since I saw Kaci, it’s stuck there.
Elijah, usually the quiet one, since he’s the new guy, leans over and punches my shoulder. “You got facial paralysis from taking too many pucks to the helmet?”
“I think so.” They can think that, because I’m not admitting to them the real reason. Kaci’s gorgeous face is stuck in my brain. Somehow, she’s become my obsession. I don’t need to explain any of this to them. They’ll just make fun of me.
I’m ready to leave by the time Coach ambles into the locker room. “Nobody leaves, guys.” He motions for everyone to sit.
A groan sticks in my throat. Thankfully, I hold it in and lower myself to the bench.
“What was Bill even thinking?” Axl blurts out the question we all want to ask.
“I think we can all agree, he really wasn’t.
” Coach stuffs his hands into his jacket pockets, and a forlorn expression washes over his face.
“Apparently, the breakers should have been upgraded, but he was in too big of a hurry to have the machine available for tonight’s game, so he instructed the installation team to just force it.
So, we will go forward with zero points from this game. ”
A collective moan ripples through the room. I leak out the groan that’s been burning in my throat. Sometimes, it feels like we’re owned by a circus ringmaster and not a professional.
“They are vacating the arena now. As for practices,” Coach raises his voice above our disgusted muttering, “the arena will be dark for at least a day or two. Tomorrow, practice is at the outside ice rink.”
I snort. This doesn’t feel real. It’s been ages since I played hockey on a frozen pond, and I certainly didn’t think I’d be practicing like that once I made it to the AHL.
“Is there any good news?” Axl asks sarcastically.
“That’s all I have.” Coach shrugs, his head hanging low.
I’ve never seen him so downhearted. Maybe it’s the stress of what this game was supposed to be.
I let out a heavy sigh, the emotional rollercoaster of the week finally reaching a point of release.
Sure, we didn’t win, but the game is over.
Not the outcome we wanted, but over nonetheless.
And I didn’t get fired.
I rise to my feet and shoulder my bag, rotating my wrist in a circle.
As I bend my hand back toward my forearm, a sharp pain shoots up my arm.
I’m sure it’s from that puck I caught. Normally, I’d report it to the team physical therapist, but with the power out, everyone is leaving.
I don’t care to stick around. I can easily just pop a couple of pain killers, ice it, and get some rest. It should be better in the morning.
I’m a couple of steps out of the locker room, and I’m bombarded by my favorite little person. “Uncle Jack!” Rigsby races out of the dark hallway, and slams into me with a giant hug around my midsection.
I chuckle, not surprised by his resourcefulness and ability to find me in the dark. Tom’s profile and phone light appear around the corner. “How’d you get back here with the power off?”
“They were escorting everyone out the main entrance, so we snuck down the back stairs,” Rigsby proudly declares.
“Nice, but not really.” I motion toward the back exit. “We’d better get out of here before someone catches you. Everyone is in a terrible mood.”
“Are you going home?” Tom asks.
“Eventually.” I say, bending my wrist again. Another shot of excruciating pain rockets up my arm. It’s not getting better. “I might have to stop at the general store for some painkillers. I don’t think I have any at my place.” I raise my brows in question. “Why? What’s up?”
“Oh, can I come?” Rigsby blurts out, his eyes growing wide with excitement.
“To the general store?” I raise my hand and scratch the back of my head, confused about why he’d be excited about that. “Isn’t it a school night?”
A laugh rushes out of Tom’s mouth. “He’s trying to get out of going to the hospital. He likes his new baby brother and all, but he’s not a fan of crying. He wanted me to ask if he could go with you instead. He said something about wings and root beer.”
My tastebuds instantly awaken at the suggestion. “Ah, sure. It’s right next to the general store. We can grab what I need and then eat. I can drop him off at your house when you are ready to go home.”
“Are you sure?” Though his words are drenched in a tone of apology, the look he gives me is full of appreciation.
“Not a problem. I’m happy to help out. I’m sure you and Jackie are both exhausted.” I summon Rigsby. “Come on, Bud.”
He’s all smiles as he syncs his steps with mine. I wave to Tom and turn as I’m parked across the lot. “I’ll see ya later.”
“Thank you,” he calls over his shoulders, rushing off in the opposite direction.
The breeze has picked up, and it’s much colder than it was earlier, causing me to pick up my pace.
Rigsby is so comfortable in my car that he climbs right into the backseat without help, and I start the engine and pull out.
“So, how was school today?” I eye him in the rearview mirror. “Did the teacher ask why you missed the field trip?”
“She never said a word about it,” his tone infuses with excited inflections. “It was career day, and Aiden’s dad came—he’s a cop. We got to see his police dog, and that was super fun. And Bella’s dad came too—he works in a band, so he gave us all guitar picks.”
“Bella’s dad was there.” It slipped out before I had a chance to think. “What kind of band is he in?”
“It’s a real rock band.” Rigsby slams his face down into a head bang.
“Um.” I resist the urge to pepper him with questions, but it’s odd. Kaci made it seem like Bella’s dad wasn’t overly involved with Bella. While I’m considering all the things that are odd, my mind circles back to how extremely odd it was to see them at the game tonight.
Sure, I invited them, but it didn’t seem like they were taking me up on my invitation.
Kaci did not give off the impression that she even remotely cared about hockey.
Plus, she was sitting at the very top of the arena when there were plenty of seats closer to the ice.
She mentioned a few times that money is tight right now.
Would she really spend money to go to a hockey game if that’s not her thing? Unless there was a reason…
All these thoughts race through my head, and before I know it, I’m parked in front of the general store.
Rigsby’s already getting out. One thing about him—he reminds me a lot of myself, always a go-getter and asking for exactly what he wants.
I already know what he’s going to ask for when I pull out my wallet and hand him the few single bills I have. “You can have one candy.”
He scurries forward but pauses to open the door for me, which makes me smile. Rather than running directly to the candy, he sticks by my side as I head straight to the first aid section. “What did you say you needed?” He asks, scanning the rows as we pass.
“I need some over-the-counter pain pills or something.” I pause in the center aisle where a giant table of clearance items takes up most of the room.
I have to literally turn sideways to get around it.
It’s just piles of unorganized merchandise—lots of summer items, notebooks, crayons, and markers.
“Do you need any school supplies?” I motion to the rows of colored glue.
I’m half tempted to get some art supplies for my place, especially since Rigsby’s been spending more time there lately.
“Nah, my mom gets me all that.” He steps to the side so he can get around the table too, but his gaze goes to the end of the adjacent aisle. “Oh, that’s the perfume Bella’s mom was looking at.” He points to a row of peach boxes.
It’s at the end of the aisle I need, so I slip past and grab the pills. When I return, he’s still standing in front of the perfume. “Do you need some?” I joke.
“Ha, ha.” His fake laugh is intentionally flat, and he turns and follows me to the check out.
“Mission accomplished.” I pay for my items and lead the way out the door. “Now, grab your candy so we can go eat.”
Rigsby feeds my dollars into the vending machine. He has the code for his favorite candy memorized and punches it in. As soon as the machine drops his candy, he grabs it and we leave, heading to our favorite spot to eat.
At Red Barn, the hostess recognizes us. “How’s it going today?” she asks as she gathers silverware and menus.
“We’re doing okay.” I take a step forward and look around.
The place is busy with many of the tables filled with people wearing Granite Ice jerseys.
More than likely, after the game was canceled, they all went out.
My chest tightens at the mere thought of it all, but I know better than to spend too much time dwelling on it.
I push the thought out of my head and glance at the hostess to see what’s taking her so long.
“Are your wife and daughter joining you tonight or is it just the boys again?” She’s staring at me, but I toss a look over my shoulder to see who she is actually talking to.
Nobody is behind me. I sputter out a cough.
This is the second time someone thought Kaci was my wife.
It’s like the universe is mocking me. I’ve never been asked before if anyone was my wife, let alone twice in two days.
“It’s just us.” I jerk my thumb to Rigsby. To avoid being asked that question a third time, I take the time to clarify things. “I’m not married. That woman was just a friend.”
“Too bad. You two would make an adorable couple.” She quirks a brow like she knows something I don’t before walking forward. I’m left struggling to make my legs work.
Why does that affect me so much?
Kaci is gorgeous. Yes, we could make a cute couple, but she made it clear she wasn’t interested in dating. So it doesn’t matter that we’d be a cute couple.
I stumble forward with Rigsby by my side. When we get to our booth, we slide in, and order our wings and root beer. Since it’s wing night, everything comes quickly, and Rigsby eagerly reaches into the bucket, not shy about pulling out the biggest one.
It makes me smile at how comfortable he is with me. I survey the wings, deliberately avoiding the big ones so he can have them and settle on the runt. “Thanks for not bringing Frankfurter to the game tonight.” I grin through my first bite and ask, “Is he still living in your backpack?”
“No, I only had him in there for your house. He's in a cage in my closet." He draws in a breath and then blows it out with a small shake of his head. “Thanks for not telling my mom about him.”
“Your secret is safe with me—for now, but maybe we can tell her together. She might not be as upset as you think and keeping him in a cage in the closet doesn’t sound like the best life. He needs to get out more.”
I grab my drink and take a long sip. It’s odd but it almost feels like something is missing from this meal.
And it’s not the food.
The wings are amazing as always. I just keep looking around, like I’m expecting someone else to be there, which is insane because I have been single forever. I eat alone all the time. Rigsby’s company should feel like a lot compared to what I’m used to.
I grab another wing and chew off the skin with force.
“Are you mad about the game?” Rigsby reaches across the table and takes the last wing in the bucket. “You’re quiet.”
“I don’t think so.” I’ve developed some sort of nervous fidget, scratching the back of my head. Not because it itches, but because sitting here is a struggle.
Rigsby props his elbow on the table and leans over. “You should have gotten Kaci the perfume I told you about, Mr. Rizzard of Oz.”
“Excuse me?” I do a double take. Where did that come from? “What do you know about rizz? You’re seven.”
“I know you don’t have enough, because it’s all over your face that you like Kaci.”
“No, it’s not.” I straighten up, trying to hold a serious expression. “It’s not on there.”
“Uncle Jack.” He gives me the most pointed stare I’ve ever seen from a kid. “Bella and I saw you kiss her.”
“You did?” I scratch my head again. This conversation seems a little too mature to be having with Rigsby. Before I can change the subject he goes on.
“Bella said that it was a huge mistake to kiss her mom.”
“Oh. Really?”
“Yeah, her mom says she’ll get a man when pigs learn to fly.”
Okay, that makes me chuckle. I can see Kaci saying that, especially to Bella.
Trying to explain the complexities of human relationships to a child is just too hard and keeping it funny is definitely the way to go.
I don’t get why she’s so guarded. I haven’t given her a reason not to trust me.
All I want is a chance to get to know her.
I’m not asking her to get married. I just want to go roller blading or something…
Now, I’m really unsettled.
Something is missing from this dinner, and I know what it is.
The problem is that she’s not going to believe I’m serious. She’s not going to believe any words at all. She needs me to show her that I’m not looking for a distraction. If I’m going to let someone into my life now, it’ll only be because I’m ready to make her my everything.
I have to find a way to show her that.
The sooner the better—because if I wait too long, it’ll only make her doubt me more.
Yanking my wallet out of my jacket pocket, I thumb through the cash until I find what I need, tossing it in the center of the table. I rise to my feet and jerk my head toward the exit behind me. “Let’s go, Rigsby. We have work to do.”
“What are we doing?” He slides off his seat, lowering his brow into a perplexed position.
“I’m not sure yet.” I dig in my pocket for my keys, knowing whatever it is, it’s bound to be something big. Then, to make Rigsby laugh (because I love his laugh) I say, “Let’s just say, oink oink. Time for pigs to fly.”