“Well, maybe teach her to ride a bike?”
“Her brother and her grandmother both swore off trying to teach her after the millionth visit to the ER.”
“I have faith in you.” Mom pats my cheek. “So tell me, when are you going to bring her by so I can meet her?”
I groan. I knew it. “Mom, I barely know her and I have to focus on hockey. This is my last year to try and make a team. If my stats aren’t good, there’s no hope.”
“Did you or did you not just tell me focusing too hard is what screwed up your time?”
“Well…yeah…”
“There you go. Don’t let it become the only thing in your life. That’s how you burn out. Focus on it, yes, but don’t let other things slip away. Don’t letpeopleslip away.”
“You don’t even know her mom.”
“I don’t need to know her. I can see how much your face lights up when you talk about her. I expect you to bring her around in no less than two weeks. Are we clear?”
I rub the back of my neck. How do you say no to your mother? You don’t.
“Sure, Mom.”
She smiles sweetly. “Do you want me to pack up the leftovers for you to take home? I’m sure Collin will appreciate it.”
“Uh, no. This is mine.”
“So you do like my sweet salmon?”
Begrudgingly, I agree. It was delicious.
“I’ll portion it out so you can add whatever you want. It’s good with rice as well.”
“You’ve been watching the Food Network again, haven’t you?”
“Of course. Where else do I get the ideas necessary to make what you have to eat taste decent?”
Her entire focus has been me since I was born. She’s never let me down and I hope to God I can one day make it all up to her.
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too.” She gets up and starts rummaging through the cabinets and I shovel the rest of my food into my mouth before starting to clean up.
But now my big question is how do I get Daisy to come meet my mom?
And I should probably take her on a date before then.
If I decide to focus on more than just hockey.
She could be my biggest distraction.
Or something else entirely.
Something I’m not ready to think about just yet.
Soon, though.
Maybe.
CHAPTER 8
