Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Mollie
Finally! At long last, I’m free on the v-card. And I gave it away to someone really special. Who knew that waiting this long would end up being a good thing?
After the high of my night with Alex, my parents coming into town is a letdown, to say the least. Alex has to spend his Saturday morning at an early skate, followed by a PR photo shoot, and then a sure-to-be exhausting weight training session.
So, even if I could somehow invite him to dinner with my family, I wouldn't do that to him. He deserves to rest.
My mom pulls her usual move of asking me to clear my day to spend time with her, then flaking the morning of. I don't even get dressed because that's her pattern.
She means well, but she never quite delivers. Instead, I head to the rink and skate a little bit. Slowly, and with so little finesse it's embarrassing, but hey. Gotta start somewhere.
After a quick shower at the gym, and a nice coffee shop date with Indie, I drive to the restaurant that my parents picked out.
It's an expensive one, an upscale place known for its extensive wine list. When I get to the hostess stand, she takes me to the table.
"The rest of your party is already seated. "
And we’re almost a full bottle of wine into the evening, I see. I walk up to the round table, scanning my dad, my mom, Beck... and the golden boy himself, Alex Thorne. My mom is currently nearly beside herself with laughter. Only Alex catches my eye, standing.
"I was wondering where you were," he says, pulling out my chair for me.
"Mom told me to be here at 7:30," I say.
My mother sobers up, chuckling. "Mothers are allowed a little one-on-one time with each child, Mollie."
Alex's eyebrows go up and he glances at Beck, who rolls his eyes. Beck says, "But you had me bring Thorne along."
"Well, that was your father. Dan said he wanted to talk about the upcoming season."
Now Alex looks pissed. "Kathy, Dan... maybe it would be better if I let you spend some alone time with your kids."
"Don't be crazy!" my father insists. "We're fine. Right, Moll Doll?"
He leans over to me and pinches my arm, making me jump. “Uh, yep.”
I allow Alex to push my chair into the table, sucking in a deep breath. Of course my parents are annoying and disappointing.
They've been like this my whole life.
“How’s my little girl? Excited for your birthday? It’s gonna be a big one.”
“Not really.” I wrinkle my nose and sigh. “You know I don’t like to make a big deal of it.”
I’ve been let down by people celebrating my birthday more times than I can mention. Family, friends, classmates. Rather than be a brat and demand attention, I’ve gone in the other direction.
Way, way in the other direction. I like to be alone, to do the most awful chore I can think of, and be too busy to care whether people know.
“What are you doing this year?” Beck asks. “Taxes? Getting your car detailed? You’re always inventive about finding a new way to not celebrate, I’ll give you that.”
I give a self-satisfied smirk. “I’m going to the DMV to get my license renewed and get my registration updated.”
“That sounds horrible,” Alex says, twisting his face up. “You’re doing it on purpose?”
“It’s better to take the pressure off of one particular day. I might have a drink with Indie… maybe.”
My mom cocks her head. “She’s always been like this. That’s why we planned this quick weekend, in and out.”
Dad clears his throat. “I wanted to stay for it, but your mom has a scheduling conflict.”
“A yoga retreat!” Mom beams. “While you’re eating your birthday cupcake in secret, I’ll be balancing my chi.”
“Sounds important.”
A waiter comes over and refills the wine, which Mom sucks down greedily. She brushes back her bottle-blonde hair and bats her eyelashes at the waiter. "Thanks, sugar."
When the fresh bottle gets to me, I slowly shake my head. "No thanks."
"Live a little!" my mom teases me. "You'll probably never be here with your brother footing the bill again."
I sigh. "Red wine gives me headaches, remember?"
It couldn't be clearer that she doesn't. My dad squeezes my arm. "How you doin’, sweetie? You liking the job that Beck got you?"
My face flames. "It's okay. I like my coworkers a ton. And my boss says I'm killing it."
"Mollie got a big pay raise a couple of months ago, because the Havoc are so happy with her work." Beck looks proud.
"Really?" Alex asks. "I didn't know that."
"You're Mr. Hockey Superstar, Mr. NHL Legacy," Mom says. "I think you have bigger things to worry about, right?"
I stare at a spot in the tablecloth, willing it to burst into flames. Alex shifts uncomfortably. I can see his fists clench.
I feel bad that Beck dragged him here. My parents are nice enough, but they aren't exactly tactful people.
"I'm still proud," Beck cuts in. "I love having my little sister work with me.
Besides, someone has to keep an eye on her and scare away all the idiots that think they're good enough to date her.
" He gives me a conspiratorial wink. "Now I've even got her living at Thorne's house.
There's no way any of the idiots she normally dates would bother trying there. Thorne would cook them."
Alex's lips lift. "When you're right, you're right."
My mom, who can't stand when the conversation is not all about her, starts telling Beck the deeply boring story of her and Dad's trip here. What flights they took, how rude the flight attendants were, whose bags got lost. I start looking around for the waiter.
I think I'm going to need some wine to get through this dinner.
My mom monopolizes Beck's attention. Which, fair. They came all this way and he is her favorite.
My dad makes an effort with me. "So... what do you do in your off time now, Moll Doll?
I know you used to be obsessed with getting to the Olympics, but.
.. obviously at the moment, you're not skating morning, noon, and night.
You look healthy, not skinny as a rail like you were.
You been practicing ballet or something? "
"Dad!" I chuckle. "God, I haven't done that since I was a kid. I've just been babysitting for Beck here and there..."
"And she's been skating, too." Alex makes eye contact with me, his eyebrows lowering. "And walking Gordie, my dog."
“Skating!” My dad seems shocked. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
“She does great,” Alex says. “Total pro.”
“Well, if you’re sure.” My mom looks pinched. "What kind of dog do you have, Alex?"
"He's an Irish wolfhound. Big, black, terrifying... but sweet as a lamb."
"He sheds like you wouldn't believe," I add.
Bread is brought out and I look around. "Are we supposed to order?"
"Nah, this place is prix fixe. Everybody gets the same thing."
"Actually, you do get a choice of a few things. But your mom ordered for everybody. Hope that's okay with you, Alex," my dad supplies.
Alex's lips thin. "I'm fine. But I hope you remembered that Mollie can't have tree nuts. Almonds, pistachios, walnuts..."
"How do you know about that?" Beck asks.
"You think I’d have her living in my house and not know that she can’t have nuts?" Alex gives Beck a skeptical glance. "You know, I think I'll just wave down the waiter and let him know. Anaphylaxis is no joke."
"You're telling me." I dig around for a second before pulling an epinephrine injector out of my purse. "I haven't had a serious reaction in years, but I still carry this just in case."
Alex's brows knit. "I didn't know that it was that serious."
"Her throat closed up one time when we were in line at Disneyland," my dad says, shaking his head. "Your mom and I were so scared. Right honey?"
He glances at my mom, who looks tearful. "It was just awful. And everybody there was so damn unhelpful. 'What did she eat? When? Blah, blah.'" She pulls a face. "Like I let my kid run around, eating everything. They wanted me to feel like a bad mom."
"You're not a bad mom," Beck says, rubbing her back. "There's no way you could've known."
Alex stands up, clearing his throat. "I'll just go find that waiter."
I watch him wind his way through the restaurant. He's overprotective, worse than my brother is. But I will take that over reliving the Disneyland fiasco any day.
"Alex must be the nicest roommate," my mom says. Her eyes have this faraway look and I swear, she's like... looking longingly at him. With my dad right here? Yuck.
"He's nice to let me stay," I agree.
"You should move in with Beck," Dad says. "You can help him with my granddaughter."
"Dad," Beck says with a sigh. "She's not free childcare. We've discussed this at length."
We have. I busy myself with a piece of bread. The conversation drifts on. Alex returns, and eventually food is delivered.
"And this is all nut-free?" Alex asks the waiter.
"Yes. Everything but the pasta, which has pistachio cream, and the rockfish, which has slivered almonds."
"Put those on the other side of the table," Alex grumbles.
The waiter complies, and the tension at the table dissipates. I let the words flow over me, humming at my King salmon and asparagus. The dinner proceeds without another incident, until my mom insists on ordering banana gianduja gelato.
"It says it's loaded with nuts," Alex says, reading from his dessert menu. "I'm not sure that bringing it to the table would be a good idea."
"Alex." I blush and shake my head. "It's fine. Really."
“Everyone relax.” Beck cuts in, shaking his head. “Mom, Dad, we need to get going. We can take some dessert to go.”
“I’ll have two scoops. I just love that flavor,” my mom says.
I screw my face up. It’s just banana gelato, but it almost seems like my mom is trying to rub it in my face. Which is crazy.
“Well.” A muscle tics in Alex’s jaw. "You know what? I'm pretty tired anyway. Why don't I get you some ice cream from Crawford's on the way home?"
I screw up my face. "I love Crawford's, but I can't just leave my car here."
“It’s fine. I’ll have one of the rookies retrieve it.” He doesn’t ask, which is annoying. But at the same time, I find myself wanting to cheer Alex on. If anyone else at the table realized he was my boyfriend, they’d probably cheer too.
"Well, we should go to Beck’s house. I haven't spent enough time with that adorable grandbaby of mine." My mom pouts.
Beck sighs and tosses his napkin on his plate. “Fine by me. Thorne, thanks for taking care of Mollie. Are you sure that you can deal with her car?” He eyes me. “It’s past time to buy her something new.”
“We’re agreed on that,” Alex says.
“Don’t team up on me. It’s not fair. My car gets me everywhere I want to go,” I say, particularly petulant.
“Sorry to interrupt.” A statuesque blonde appears out of nowhere, blushing. “Thorne, hey. It’s been a while.”
Everyone at our table freezes in place as the blonde casually puts a hand on his shoulder. Alex looks horrified for a second until he manages to control his facial expression. Catching her hand, he removes it. “Amy. It’s not a good time.”
Her eyebrows rise. “Answer your texts, then. I’ve messaged you twice this month.”
His gaze slides to me and then Beck. “Later.”
I raise my hands to my face; my cheeks are so hot that they’re nuclear. This is embarrassing. Mostly because Alex can’t exactly come out and say he’s with me.
If he evens want to. Oh god, now that I think about it, I have nothing compared with Amy. She’s tall, thin, has big boobs, and she’s dressed like she just walked out of shooting a Fendi ad.
Fuck. What if he’s tempted by Miss Glamorous?
“Now Alex.” My mom smiles at Alex and Amy like they’re soulmates. “Don’t be shy. Introduce us!”
Beck coughs a laugh into his hand, but doesn’t help otherwise. Alex stands up, forcing Amy to move back or literally topple over.
He glares at her. “Amy, I don’t want to talk about this here, since I’m clearly with people. But I haven’t answered your messages because I don’t want to talk to you.”
That seemingly hasn’t occurred to Amy, whose jaw drops. “But we had a good time!”
“Yeah.” Alex rubs the back of his neck. “I’m not interested. In fact, I’m taken.”
“What? By who?” Beck asks. “Dude, you’ve been holding out on me?” Then Beck turns to me. “You know who it is?”
Why yes, big brother. Your best friend and I have been boinking each other’s brains out in secret. You don’t have a problem with that, right?
Slowly, I shake my head. “Uh, no. It’s news to me. But I can’t know everything, can I?”
Alex is glaring at Beck so hard that he might burst into flame. But I’m pretty sure at least a little of his hatred should be pointed my way.
“Well.” Amy draws herself up tartly. “Yeah, right. I know your reputation, Thorne. Call me when you get bored of her.”
“I won’t.” He gives her a look of distaste. “Lose my number.”
She huffs as she leaves. I’m pretty sure my cheeks can’t get any hotter without it becoming a medical emergency. This is the first time that I’ve had to deal with Alex’s past being rubbed in my face, but from his grim expression, it’s something he expected.
Great.
My dad elbows Alex in the ribs. “You dog. Must be nice to have so many women that you have to lie to get them to leave you alone.”
Alex’s glance at my dad is frosty. “Who says I’m lying?”
“Oh!” My dad laughs and taps his nose. “I’ve got you.”
Alex clears his throat. “Weren’t we leaving?”
“Yes, yes.” Mom bundles me in for a hug. “Be a good girl, Mollie. Listen to your brother.”
“Uh huh.” I repress an eye roll and hug her, then turn to my dad. “Bye Dad.”
“Next time, we’re going to fly up just to see you. You hear?” He hugs me tightly. I take a little longer with this hug. My dad loves me. I’m sure my mom does too, somewhere deep down, but it’s just layered beneath her excitement over her favorite child.
“See ya. Give Rosie lots of hugs for me.”
Beck is the last to give me a quick hug. “If you think I’ll forget about your birthday, think again. Cancel your plans. We’ll go to dinner. You, me, and Rosie.”
I smile. “That sounds good.”
As I walk out of the restaurant, I have the urge to glance back and see if Alex’s former fling is watching. But I don’t. Tonight has, as predicted, been a lot.
But at least I get to go home with my hunky hockey player boyfriend at the end of the night. Score one for me.