I knew what he was asking.He wanted to know whether she’d given me any money.This had become a common occurrence for him.
“Yeah, a few dollars,” I said, not really thinking anything of it until he grabbed my wallet that lay on my nightstand.
Without a word, he flipped it open and reached in, taking the cash.
“What are you?—”
“You think hockey is cheap?”he asked, shoving the only money I had deep into his pocket.“I make sure your fees are paid.Your mother pays nothing.So the least you could do is pay me back when she gives you money.”
I blinked hard.“Mom gave me that money to go toward a pair of new skates.My old ones are a little too tight and are wearing out.She said she wanted to pay for them to help take some of the burden off.”
My father let out a loud laugh.“That’s funny as hell.She thinks buying you a pair of skates will help take some of the burden off?”
I looked at my father, making a fist with my left hand, but holding back.
“I need this.I also need your rent money.You are behind.You’ll have to get new skates when you get your next paycheck.I’ve got to go, and make sure you let your girlfriend know to stop sending letters to this house, although judging from the last two letters, I doubt she’ll send any more,” he muttered.
I frowned as he walked away.
“What are you talking about?”I shouted as I went after him.
“That is for me to know.”He turned toward me with an evil grin.
I took a step forward, ready to attack him, but he held his hand out, the look on his face one of anger.“Don’t you even think about it.The day you hit me, the day all this ends.”
He didn’t say another word.He turned and made his way down the stairs and out the front door.
I hated him, everything about him, and if I didn’t care so much about my future and wanting out of the hell I was currently living, I’d have gone after him.Instead, I returned to my room, gathered my things, and headed off to the arena where, for a few hours, I could forget everything about myself and this hellish life I was living.
“COLTON!EARTH TO FOX!”
I jumped when I heard my name being yelled and looked up to see Larson staring at me.
“Wake the fuck up!”
“Sorry,” I muttered, glancing over at Emma.
It was then I realized that the promise we’d made to one another all those years ago had truly just been a universal lie that everyone tells someone when they are moving away.Perhaps her icy demeanor toward me was because people move, they grow apart, and when you face them again, they are someone you barely recognize, even though they appear to look the same.We were both different people now.No matter how much the other might wish we were the same people as we were back then, we weren’t.
“Now, Miss Cooper.Are you okay with staying with Mr.Fox?Meaning, you aren’t afraid to be alone with him?”Larson said.
What the fuck was this?I thought to myself.They were acting as if I’d murdered someone when all I’d done was rough someone up a little.
“I am sure I’ll be fine.I’ve dealt with his kind before.I’m a strong woman, and I won’t stand for any type of disrespect or any type of out of line behavior from him.”
“Well, that is good to know, but please know I will make sure you are protected in the best way possible, so if anything happens and you need anything, you call me,” Larson said.
“For fuck’s sake, Larson.I’m not deaf, and contrary to what others may think, I’m not a violent man,” I bit out, growing annoyed at the fact they were speaking about me as if I weren’t in the room.”
“Colton, facts are facts.Now, please take Miss Cooper and head back to your place.Help her get settled and make sure she feels at home.Please, also be open to the fact to allow the new you to be underway.”
I stood up from the chair I was sitting in and made my way to the door, ignoring looks from both Thompkins and Pamela, and pulled it open.I stepped out into the hall and waited for Emma while she finished up.I wasn’t rushing her, but I wanted to get the hell out of here.
Chapter Six
Emma
To saythat the meeting had been intense was an understatement.This was why I oversaw these sorts of projects and didn’t take part in them.
