34. Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Four
Tate
It’s my first day back at practice in over a week, and fuck does it hurt in both the best and worst ways.Rowen is doing better.
We met with his primary pediatrician yesterday for a follow-up, and she said that he’s doing great, just continue to give him time to let his body recover from the illness and his diabetes being out of control.
Sitting in that office, I thought about the last few months of my life.
How everything happened. Falling for Celeste in a way that feels earth-shattering to stepping up for Rowen and how easy that is, not because it’s necessarily easy, but loving him and caring for him the best way I can is.
We have one more issue to address. Brett Silas.
We haven’t seen him or heard from him since that day in the hospital where he served papers to Celeste for custody rights.I still don’t understand the guy or why the fuck he’s showing up now.
Cel was trying to explain to me that it was something to do with his parents and how they think it looks bad that he’s not a part of Rowen’s life, but why the fuck now?
We may never truly get the answers we want when it comes to Brett’s motivations, but all I care about right now is making sure Ro stays with Cel and I.
“Hey, how are your legs feeling?” Parker asks, he has a towel wrapped tightly around his hips, coming out of the shower.
“Like fucking jello,” I laugh, “But it feels good to be back out there.”
“Good to have you back. I think Preston was ready to kill Gibby.” Gibby is the third-line defenseman and filled in for me while I was gone.
“The kid needs to work harder, he has talent, but doesn’t know how to fucking apply himself,” Preston says as he walks into the room coming from his own shower. I notice a dark hickey on his neck and remind myself to grill him about it later.
“Alright, I’m hitting the showers then heading to meet Cel for a date.”
“You mean stalking her at her job?” Parker jokes. Rolling my eyes at my buddies, I’m going to miss these days. Next year, I have no clue where any of us is going to end up. I hope to stay on the East Coast, but maybe the Hockey Gods send me where they must.
“I’m gonna go shower, see you two later.” Washing my body as fast as I can so I can go see my girl and my favorite five-year-old. I throw on my BU sweats and head outside the locker room.
“Hey, Jackson.” The voice brings instant anger to my body. Leaning against the wall is the asshole trying to ruin my life.
“What do you want, Silas?” Brett throws his hands up like he’s surrendering.“I didn’t come here to fight.” He runs his fingers through his hair, pulling at the dark strands before finding his cocky composure again. Does this guy even know how to have feelings?
“Listen, I know I’ve been a real dick to Cel.”
“You can say that again.” Rolling his eyes at me like I’m a damn child.
“Just listen to what I have to say. I… I know Rowen doesn’t need me, and I am a poor fucking excuse for a father.
I… was young, and before you fucking say it, I know Celeste was young too.
I just always kind of thought I could have my fun in college, and she would be waiting for me when I was ready to step up.
I know that isn’t fair to her or him. The whole time, my parents thought I was more involved in his life than I actually was, and when someone from our hometown saw Cel working at the diner looking exhausted, they finally put it all together, along with me never bringing Rowen around them. ”
“Get to the point, Brett.” His eyes narrow at me, and I know I’m playing with fire here, but I’m not his fucking therapist, and I don’t care to hear about his issues.
“I’m signing away my rights.”
“What?” I can feel my jaw practically drop on the floor.
“I’m signing away my parental rights to Rowen. He doesn’t need me, and truthfully, I don’t know how to be a fucking dad… not how you do.” He lets out a breath, like the weight on his shoulders is finally off. “Just… when he’s old enough, give this to him.”
He passes me a white envelope, with Rowen’s name scribbled in messy handwriting. “And I’ve set up two accounts for him, one for college he can access at eighteen and then a medical fund so Cel can breathe a little, that she has access to.” He passes me a card with numbers and the name of a bank.
“Why the fuck are you doing this after all the bullshit you caused?”
He raises his shoulders, giving me a childish shrug, “I just know it’s right.
I saw the way Rowen looks at you, like you hung the fucking moon and stars…
he’s never looked at me that way, and I know he never will.
Take care of them, Jackson.” He walks off down the long hallway, and I hope it's the last fucking time I ever have to see him again.