Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 61705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
He gestures at my wrinkled suit. “Did you guys come here right from the game?”
“Yeah.”
“Man, what a great one it was.” He shakes his head. “You got the better end of that fight.”
I grin and thank him. He looks over at Jack.
“I’m just going to take a look at him, but from the test results I’ve seen, you guys will be out of here tomorrow.”
As we walk over to the bedside, Jack stirs and looks around groggily.
“We’re still at the hospital, Uncle Luca,” he says, sitting up.
“Yep.” I run a hand over his sandy brown hair.
“What time is it?” he asks.
“Around six-thirty in the morning,” Jonathan says. “How are you feeling?”
“Good.”
As the doctor examines Jack, I go back to my phone to text Abby about the diagnosis. She writes back immediately.
Abby: Oh Luca, I’m so relieved. I was worried sick and you had to be, too.
Me: Yeah, I am. He won’t be at full strength for a while, but he’ll be okay.
Abby: I just told Cora and we’re both crying into our pancakes.
Me: You two…are you bringing the girls back to see us later?
Abby: Sheila’s scheduled to be here at 9 because you were going to do that charity luncheon and I was planning to go work at my Schaumburg store site. Can I have her bring the girls?
Me: Of course. Thanks for taking care of the girls last night, I really appreciate it.
Abby: I’m relieved Jack will be okay. Is there anything you need me to send with Sheila for you guys?
Me: My toothbrush and toothpaste and a change of clothes would be great.
Abby: Okay.
Me: Everything okay?
Abby: Yes, just tired.
A nurse comes into the room carrying a breakfast tray for Jack. I set my phone down so I can focus on him.
Something’s off with Abby. In all the time we’ve been dating, she’s always dropped everything for me and the kids. She once cancelled a big meeting just because Emerson had a dance recital that morning she didn’t want to miss. And Jack being sick is a big deal, even if he’s going to make a full recovery.
I can’t think about that now, though. Jack needs my full attention. I’ll get to the bottom of things with Abby later.
* * *
Vic shakes his head and gives me a tight-lipped glare. We’re in Winnipeg, about to do our pregame skate, but he seems hesitant about getting on the ice.
“This is fucking unreal, dude,” he says.
“What?” I’m short with him, because I’m would tight right now over things with Abby.
“I’ve got one of those itches deep in my ass crack. You know, where you pretty much have to get naked and run a hairbrush over your whole crack to scratch it?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“What, you don’t get those itches? And here I am in all my gear, so it’s gonna be hours before I can scratch it.”
I shake my head. “Tell me you don’t actually put your hairbrush on your asshole to scratch it, because that’s disgusting.”
“No, I’m just saying I’m fantasizing about it. Or like a chick with really long nails.”
“It’s no wonder you’re single, man.” I give him a disgusted look and step onto the ice, gliding away from him.
I’m in no mood for Vic’s shit today. Or anything else, for that matter. It’s been three days since Jack got home from the hospital, and Abby’s barely speaking to me.
I get perfunctory responses to my texts about how busy she is. And when I call her out on that bullshit, she ignores me.
Did she decide the kids are too much for her? Get freaked out by Jack being sick? Every time I ask her these questions by text, she blows me off. And when I call, she doesn’t answer.
When Abby and I are together, everything feels right. But with this divide between us, I’m off-balance in most every way.
Jack’s feeling much better. He’s already complaining about me and Sheila forcing him to take it easy. Every time he and the girls ask when Abby will be back, I wonder to myself if she ever will.
If we don’t communicate, we won’t make it. And that’s a two-way street. But if Abby wants to get rid of me, she’s gonna have to try a lot harder than this.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Abby
I’ve never loved any smell as much as freshly cut wood. The sweet, earthy smell brings back memories of my dad and his workshop. It’s evokes warm feelings and the hope of building something both beautiful and useful.
At my makeshift office at the Schaumburg Cypress Lane site, I get to breathe in my favorite smell every day. I’m overseeing construction of our largest store yet and keeping up with things in the home office through technology.
Busy, busy, busy. I’m back to my old ways, keeping feelings at bay by spending every waking hour working.