Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Of course, I don’t tell my new teammates how that most likely has everything to do with the way Tacker’s heart healed in the time since he found love with Nora. They’d all think I was a pussy for saying something like that, but it’s true. He’s a new man since she came into his life, and I’ll credit Dominik Carlson with that, as well. He pushed Tacker her way for some much-needed therapy, and what do you know...they fell in love.
The romantic in me can recognize that, even though seeing Calliope yesterday reminded me that I probably don’t know shit about true love. Not the way Tacker and Nora do. It was brutal being back in Calliope’s presence on top of having to deal with my dad. A double whammy of sorts, reminders of the losses I’ve suffered and the ones that are yet to come.
It’s easy to put that all aside, though, as more people come up to introduce themselves, and I start to feel a tinge of excitement regarding the possibilities with this team. Veteran players that have helped to lead the Cold Fury to two Cup championships in the last two years. Men like Hawke Therrian, Roman Sykora, Van Turner, Reed Olson, and Marek Fabritis. I forgot just how stock-heavy this team was with star players. While only a few days ago, I thought it would be the Vengeance that would sweep everyone on the way to the championship, I now fully realize that I didn’t take a step down when I switched teams. It was truly a lateral move, and the Cold Fury has just as much power as the Vengeance.
Despite the upheaval in my life and the pain I’ll be facing, there is a bright spot on my horizon. I’m still very much in the mix for something good while playing for this team.
Chapter 4
Calliope
My phone rings and I consider ignoring it. I have my arms almost elbow-deep in dishwater, cleaning a stubborn pan. If it were any other ringtone, I likely would.
But it’s Brenda calling. It could be something as simple as a chat, but chances are, it’s something more important. With Jim having advanced cancer and an expected decline over the coming days, I can’t afford to ignore Brenda’s call.
Nor do I want to. The woman was my second mother growing up. I spent as much time in her house as mine, and there was a time I thought we’d be related by marriage, too. That clearly didn’t happen, but when Rafe broke up with me, it didn’t chill my relationship with his parents at all. If anything, it made it stronger. For the longest time after Rafe left to play professional hockey, I leaned on them because I missed him so badly. Throughout the years, our bond has continued to grow and develop, even as I moved on with my life. Despite the passage of time, Brenda is still like my second mom. She’s also one of my mom’s closest friends, and I love her dearly.
So of course I’ll answer the phone. I quickly dry my arms and hands and nab the cell by the fourth ring, just before my voicemail picks up. “Brenda...hey...what’s up?”
“It’s Jim,” she says, and there’s no disguising the worry in her voice. “He’s having a hard time breathing, and I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean by hard time breathing?” I ask her, placing a palm on my kitchen counter.
“It’s labored. There’s a wheezing sound. And he’s sort of lethargic.”
“He probably needs to go to the hospital,” I suggest.
While I don’t mention the medical specifics, Jim is at the precipice of where his body will start betraying him. With the cancer having spread to his lungs, this is an expected symptom. But his other organs will also begin shutting down as they fight the unwinnable battle against the cancer. He’ll need medical intervention to help make him more comfortable.
“He won’t go, Calliope.” She sighs, and I can just envision her pinching the bridge of her nose. It’s what she does when she’s frustrated. “And Rafe isn’t here. If he were, maybe he could talk some sense into his dad.”
“Tell you what,” I say as I move through my apartment to the foyer, where I grab my purse and keys. “Let me come over and take a look at him. If he needs the hospital, we can call an ambulance. How does that sound?”
“Okay, yes,” she breathes out in relief. “I’d appreciate it so much. I hate to bother you with—”
“It’s never a bother, Brenda,” I cut her off sharply. “Never. You call me, no matter what.”
My heart almost breaks when all I hear through the line is a tiny hiccup of a sob.
“I’m on my way,” I assure her.
I live nearby in an apartment complex just a few miles down the road. I chose the location because not only is it convenient for the hospital I work in, but it’s also near my parents, who I’m incredibly close to. I eat dinner with them several times a week, and before Jim got sick, he and Brenda would sometimes join us.