"Hey Leo! Haven't heard from you in a while." I press my phone to my ear, as I wait for my coffee to be ready. It's game day and I woke up around 6am, just because I couldn't sleep. It's usual that I'm literally buzzing to be on the ice. And I fucking can't wait for the game today. Even if my reasons are not all professional. Bringing down that motherfucker is just as important as winning against Michigan State, and I will do anything to make it happen.

"Hey Colt, yeah, sorry, it's really been a while." Leo laughs heartily, and his image pops in my head at once. I have known the guy since I was 12, when my mom introduced him to me at one of the exhibits at her gallery. He's a very talented artist who came to work in the US a long time ago from Italy, and eventually settled down here. "How are you? What about college? Hockey? Do the Sharks still want you?"

"Oh, man, so many questions at once at such an early hour?" I chuckle, pouring myself a coffee. "You want me dead, for real."

"Isn't it a game day?" I press my mug to my lips and slowly lower it on the table. How the hell does he know? The last time I talked to him was months ago!

"Um, yeah..."

"On game days you were always up even before sunrise. Are you trying to convince me your habits have changed?"

"No, not exactly." I clear my throat, pinching my brows together. "Just surprised you know about the game."

"Well, your mom has been in a really good state these past few months. I've been visiting her almost every week, and last time Dr Stewart mentioned you have a game this Saturday."

Visiting Mom? Dr Stewart said? Everything he is saying doesn't make any sense. I thought no one would visit her these days except me. "Glad to know you're staying in touch." I mutter, still confused as hell. "You were a great friend to my mom, and still are."

"Avery is special." Leo's voice becomes a shade quieter, almost breathless. She always meant a lot to him, and I'm glad to know that's still the same. Growing up I even suspected he had a crush on her, unlike her, she only saw him as a friend. Always. "I would have never left her. I owe her everything I have."

"There you're wrong." I take my mug and finally take a sip. The hot drink streams down my throat, warming up my veins and slowly filling my body with so much needed energy. It's going to be one hell of a day for sure. "You have a gift. You see beauty even in ugly things, working your magic and creating masterpieces. Mom just gave you the push your career needed, nothing else. She was very proud of you, always."

"She was right." He says and I roll my eyes. He can be so dramatic, so much that I often found it hard to listen to him. Nothing changed as I see it. Though the next words escaping his mouth leave me speechless. I took his comment all wrong. "You've grown up so much, Colton. It's you she's very proud of, and also happy. Bringing your girlfriend with you to visit Avery... you breathed new life into her, gave her hope... I think she's been good, only because of you. Thank you for that, Colt."

I clench my jaw hard, eyes watering. I haven't talked about it with anyone, not even Ava. Carrying this fear inside my chest for weeks. "I'm so scared this progress will degrade again. It's not the first time she-"

"It's the first time it has lasted so long." Leo retorts firmly. "She has reasons to be here and not to disappear in her own world again. You are her reason. Your happiness. Your future. She talked to me about your girl for hours, showing me books she gave her during your last visit, telling me how pretty Ava is and how good you two suit each other. Yes, vascular dementia isn't curable, but she's not old and she can still enjoy her life. She can be better."

"I hope you're right. Last time she was so excited, that I honestly thought about asking Dr Stewart to let her out. Just for a day or two. To see how it could be..."

I hear Leo cough and then he starts speaking again. "Actually, that's the reason why I am calling you... I want to take her out of the facility with me for a few days. I don't live far from-"

"No."

"Colt, it might help-"

"No. You're just her friend, if she leaves the facility for some time, it will be with me." I state, feeling a vein bulging on my neck. Fuckity fuck, instead of a calm and steady morning, it is turning into a nightmare. I am agitated as fuck.

"Avery wants to come." Leo snaps, and I grip my phone harder. He already talked to her about it? What the hell? "She's comfortable with me. It will be fine."

"Leo, I respect you and really am grateful to you for still being there for Mom... but I don't want to take that risk. Her state is still fragile."

He heaves a sigh, mumbling something in Italian under his breath. "Okay, whatever you say... just keep in mind you're not the only one who loves your mom." Another long exasperated breath follows and then, he hangs up.

I stay rooted to the spot, a mug with already cold coffee still in my hand. My mind is racing like crazy, one memory changes the other. His words play in my head on a repeat. Not the only one who loves your mom... Not the only one... Fuck! Is he in love with her for real? Does it mean I was right about him and his crush on her? Did she know? Did she...

This thought runs in a loop. I swallow a sudden lump in my throat, and lean my side against the wall. What if I know nothing about her relationship with him? What if they weren't just friends? What if the reason he bought a fucking house not very far from my parents' was not because it was close to the gallery, but her? What if everything I know about my own mom is a lie?

Putting my mug on the table, I rush to my bedroom, swinging the door open and stomping to my closet. I start pulling on my hoodie, the realization dawning on me. It's fucking game day. I can't fail my team... and I definitely can't fail Ava. I need to be at the ice rink, even if it's the last place I want to go right now. Only because I feel like the earth is slipping under my feet and I'm losing my balance. Shit! Fucking Leo, man has the worst timing ever!

I pull out my phone out of my pocket and quickly type a message to him, asking to meet me tomorrow. Wherever he wants. I don't care... The only thing I'm interested in from him is the answer to a very simple question. Was my mom a cheater too?

🏒💥🏒💥🏒

"You okay?" Clay asks me during our break before the third period. I shake my head no, breathing through my nostrils. Pulling myself together has never been that hard before, only because I let my suspicions overwhelm me. It's getting out of hand for sure... even if we're winning. "Anything I can do to help?"

"It's fine. Thanks." I mumble, gulping down my water.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and picture her beautiful face in front of me. Her dad calls her a tornado, and I can honestly agree with that, but for me she's a fire. A wildfire that is out of control, intensifying with each heartbeat, with every breath she takes. Or a small but gentle bonfire, spreading through every bone, coating you in her warmth. The attraction I feel with her is so maddeningly strong, so much that I often doubt my sanity when she's not around. I need her by my side every damn minute because she completes me and makes me feel desired. She wants to spend time with me, while she also doesn't need me at all. For some it may sound like nonsense, but Ava helped me to draw a line between being wanted and being needed. It's a huge difference, and my heart aches in my chest any time I realize she wants me by her side. And now I'm betraying her... The mess in my head is preventing me from thinking clearly, and her ex continues skating around the ice like a fucking star. A fucking wumbo, damn him!

"Is this about Ava's ex?" Clay leans closer, roaming his eyes over my face. He's worried about me, and while I appreciate his concern, right now he is making everything worse.

"It has nothing to do with him."

"Then what? Did you get into a fight with her?"

"For fuck's sake, Rodgers! We're good," I hiss, standing up from the bench and towering over my best friend. "I got some news today... about my mom, and it kinda turned my day to shit."

Clay purses his lips, probably deciding if he should be angry with me for my outburst or not. The thing is... I know the fucker like the back of my hand, and he's too curious for his own good. "How is she? Is there any chance she is getting better?"

What the fucking hell is this? Is this a prank or maybe I'm still sleeping?! How on Earth does he know anything about my mom's state?! I narrow my eyes at him, ominous and oppressive thoughts take over every spot in my mind. I'm a fucking puddle of anger, and it never ends well... Ever.

"She's okay. Her usual." I wheel around, just as the coach motions for all of us to go back on the ice. At least his questions did one thing... there is no way I'm letting that fucker Jefferson off the hook. I'm too wound up to play nice.

"Colt?" I glance over my shoulder, meeting Clay's gaze. He is chewing his bottom lip, and I can only pray he won't make things worse for me... unsuccessfully. He skyrockets my feelings to the level I never thought it could reach. "Just because I don't say anything, it doesn't mean I don't know. I always loved Missis T, and I wish her only the best."

He gets up from the bench and walks past me, as I stay frozen. Never could I have ever imagined this day to be so disastrous... for it to be the final nail in my coffin, I just need to flop my plans to avenge Ava. And hell nah, it's not happening.

Once on the ice, I find her with my eyes, allowing my gaze linger on her face. She's sitting near Grace and they are even talking, but I know it's nothing more than just polite conversation. They are getting along for Layla's sake... and even if I hate pretense, I think it's good. At least, she's not lonely. I would have hated for her to watch this game alone with that prick on the ice.

The last period is fast. We're leading 3 to 1, so we're playing defense. Planning ahead our moves and tactics, and it definitely plays out. Our defensemen are doing their jobs to a T, battling in the corners, making clean crisp outlet passes, and blocking shots. The support from the stands is like another player who also plays in our favor.

I watch her ex like a hawk, and once I finally see him on the ice, I go there too, passing by the coach and getting his approval. Only three minutes left, but I want us to score. It will be epic if I pull it off, taking him down and also rubbing our win in their faces. Dear God, please, after the morning I had, I definitely deserve some luck. At least a tiny little bit.

Skating over to Jefferson, I easily win the faceoff, sending the puck flying in Benson's direction. Gotcha! I'm back to my game, baby. To say Ava's ex isn't happy is a major understatement. His cheeks bulge, and he narrows his eyes to slits, slipping away from me in silence. Really dude? Not even a word? What a fucking child!

I stop Jefferson once again, winning the puck and passing it to Baker. I hate the guy, but right now, he's just my teammate, and I need him. "What the fuck do you want from me?!" He asks, growling as I glide past him.

"To make you pay for what you did to Ava."

"It was her fault, she was just as drunk as I was... She shouldn't have suggested we skate together."

"It's so easy to put the blame on a girl, instead of admitting you were a coward. Was it that hard to call an ambulance?" I follow him, still keeping my eyes on the game. If everything goes right, we have a chance to score one more time.

"I was drunk as shit, and it could have jeopardized my career." Good, he's totally distracted and isn't paying attention to how close we are to his team's net. I just need someone to pass to me. "You wouldn't have called an ambulance if you knew your future could be stolen from you either."

40 seconds... Once I see the numbers, I feel my body surge with adrenaline. I desperately want to score, right in front of his eyes. I scan the place and see Drake. Our eyes lock for a second, and he hits the puck rigorously... right into my stick. Dammit, man, you're the best!

Moving like a flash, I maneuver among the players and a second later, I send the puck in the net, making the final score 4 - 1. I lift my fist in the air, eyes locked on Jefferson. His lips are curled in a snarl, as he breathes hard. He's pissed... at me and at himself for letting me play him.

Scooting over to him, I do it as discreetly as possible... and the dude lands on his ass. Hitting him in the damned face is tempting, but risking my career is not something I can afford right now. There I can agree with him.

"She fucked your brain damn well, if you're so whipped." He scoffs, standing up to his feet. "You should thank me though."

"Thank you? For what?" I smirk, seeing the guys celebrating our win and listening to the crowd cheering and chanting.

"Everything she does in bed, she already has done with me. I was her first."

Stupid fucker, never knows when to keep his mouth shut! I step closer, chest to chest with him. "Good thing, I intend to be her last."

Just as his eyes go wide in surprise, I hit him in his abdomen with all my might. Jefferson gasps and presses his palms to his belly, shrinking down. "Try talking to her again, or touching her even with a damned pinky... and I will ruin you. I promise."