Page 148 of Pucking Rebound
That’s why we’ve come up with a plan. Well, Nicki, Marcus’s wife, did.
She’s been incredible and pulled us together as a family. I don’t know how she did it, but she has.
Two days ago, she drove me and Zane to where Wade’s being staying in Caulder Creek and Marcus met us there. We all talked. It’s only the start of the conversations we need to have as a ‘family’, but at least it’s a start.
Yesterday, Marcus released a statement to the press confirming Wade was his son. One less secret for us all to carry. Although, I haven’t told anyone I’m pregnant yet.
I plan on telling Jordy, I do, but first I have to have a one to one with Wade, which Zane is driving me to right now.
More stubborn than a bull, Wade wouldn’t come to Edmonton, so I came to Caulder Creek.
“It’s just around this corner.” I point to the ice cream parlor I arranged to meet Wade at. “You will park somewhere out of sight and wait twenty minutes before coming in. I don’t want to freak him out. And after what you did to Kali, he’s not your number one fan.”
“I know this, Lola. And I've told you. I’m doing better. I’ve spent hours in therapy. Just please, give me a break.”
I unbuckle my seat belt and push the handle of my purse over my shoulder as he turns off the engine. I know he’s changed, or I wouldn’t have spent two hours in a car with him alone.
“I’m just saying, don’t be the old Zane. Be the new shiny version of yourself. And if you behave badly, I will bop you on the nose myself.” Wade broke it once in a fight they had in the locker room last season, then Kali broke it a second time when he attacked her. Zane knows I won’t do the same, but I knew it would make him smile.
He runs his hands through his blond hair, messing it up and yet it still looks like it was styled by a professional. “If this is what it’s like to have a sister, then I want a refund.”
“I’m not your sister.”
“It sure seems like you are.” I’m still getting used to having one brother. Two is one too many for me right now. But maybe, eventually. Who knows?
“Hush now.” I jump out of Zane’s Mercedes-Benz G-Wagonbefore I poke my head back through the open door. “Twenty minutes, yeah?”
He salutes me. “Understood.”
“Best behavior.”
“For fuck’s––” I giggle when I shut the door, cutting off his sentence.
I take a deep breath and walk into the parlor. Here we go. This is either going to make or break us.
My heart feels full. Wade arrived before me, and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he wants to make this work.
I don’t feel one bit nervous. If anything, I’m excited. Although I think Wade is uneasy because he can’t seem to take his eyes off me.
We’ve spoken by text mainly, spoken a lot actually, getting to know each other better, but sitting side by side with him like this, and him knowing who I am, feels special. We need this conversation to get it all out in the open.
“Are you sleeping?” he asks. I know he’s worried about me. We’re both worried about each other.
“Not sleeping very well, no,” I confess.
“You look tired.”
“Thanks. Just what every girl wants to hear. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I’m more worried about you. What’s this?” I give his fuzzy beard he’s grown in the last four weeks a tug. “I don’t like it. You’ve become lazy.”
He flicks his hand dismissively, laughing, which fills my heart with joy.
Laying his hand on the table, I take it in mine, relieved that he doesn’t pull away. “Thank you for coming today. I wasn’t sure if you would.”
“You’re the one I wanted to speak to the most,” he confesses, looking shy, and very unlike him.
“I’m so happy you said that.” I feel myself welling up, my eyes becoming hazy. “I wasn’t sure if you would still want to be friends.”
“You’re my sister, Lola.” I relax in a warm state of bliss. I love that he called me that. “I admire you for keeping my life on track.”
