"If you want... I can talk to Dr Stewart." I tell my mom, as we sit on the bench outside the building. The weather is pretty warm for the second week of March, and she wanted to go for a stroll. A mindless walk around the perimeter. With the way my tarnished mind works, I think I needed this. To cool my head and prepare myself for this talk. Even if I dragged this moment out to the very last minute, after Beth popped in to remind me my mom needs rest.

"About what?" She glances at me, rubbing her hands together to warm up her skin.

"About leaving this place for a few days. With me."

Mom's eyes roam over my face and she sighs, leaning her back against the bench. "I will never set foot in our family home ever again. It's better here."

"I didn't ask you to go home. I want to take you to my place. To my apartment. You will sleep in my bedroom, and I will take a couch. No biggie."

"Colt..." Mom murmurs, inching closer and putting her head on my shoulder. This simple gesture is everything. Literally. It releases the tension I feel, calming down my stirred up nerves. Exactly as it had been when I was a kid... One touch and I'm already back to normal. "You have your classes, hockey, and Ava. How are you going to fit me in your schedule too?"

I chuckle, hiding my hands in my jacket's pockets. She listed my priorities in the wrong order. Hockey and Ava come together, and only then, somewhere at the back of my mind are my classes. "What about the weekend? Next Saturday I have a game, but-"

"Have you talked to Leo?" I close my eyes, the second his name slips out of her mouth. The emotions I feel remind me of a whirlwind. Unpredictable and destructive. I've been trying my hardest to keep my shit together, though it's not really working. I have someone who sees right through me these days. And she's not buying my bullshit, at all.

"Yes."

"Did he tell you he invited me to stay at his house?"

"Yes."

Mom moves away, boring her gaze into mine. Her eyebrows pinched together draw a line of her uncertainty. So many emotions cross her features as she examines me in silence. "Why can't I stay at his place? It's not far from here, and it will be for a day or two."

"Dad will never allow it. It is one thing leaving the facility with me. And it is completely different when it comes to the man you..." I clear my throat, preparing myself for this talk. "... you cheated on him with."

Did I take it too far? Should I have waited? The hegemony of all sorts of thoughts increases in my head, one louder than the other. I wait and wait for her answer, and when it finally follows I'm stunned.

"Your father promised to prepare all the documents for our divorce. It should be done by May."

"What the fuck is going on?" I jump to my feet, hovering over her and feeling my blood pump in my veins. The agitation and anger, mixing with disbelief and irritation. I'm a fucking Hulk, no less. Not asking Ava to come with me was a mistake, I'm spiraling down the rabbit hole at dangerously fast speed. "First, Leo. Now, this?"

"I'm doing good, Colt. Eric knows it. He came to visit a few weeks ago." Mom doesn't look at me, lowering her gaze to her feet. "We should have done it a long time ago... As soon as I got here, but unfortunately my state got in the way. There is no love between us, no warmth. We lost everything, leaving our marriage in ruins of our mistakes. I let my weakness decide my actions once, and it... it destroyed everything."

"Mom." I kneel in front of her, placing my hands on her knees and she lifts her head up to look at me. "I'm not judging you. Never."

She presses her palm to my cheek, caressing it with her long, cold fingers. "I never wanted you to know, ever... but that was wrong. You lived an illusion, thinking that your father is a horrible man. While I was no better than him."

"You said yourself, it happened once, while Dad-"

"I hurt his ego, Colt. He lost all trust in me, and... keeping Leo by my side was a mistake." Mom sighs, the tiniest smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. "I did this to myself too. My decisions lead me here, not yours, not your father's. Mine. And I only hope the divorce will help me to move on. To be better. Healthier. Calmer."

"To be loved." I whisper and see a cheeky beam on her lips.

"I'm still unwell. Things might revert back. Might get worse." My eyes are peeled to her face and I finally see her. The real her. Not the version I have had carved in my head my whole life. She's a human, with her own flaws and weaknesses. She's a woman with a big heart and also a woman who made a mistake. She knows that, she accepts the consequences. She's ready to move on, and... I'm ready to help her. "You will need to leave soon, Colt-"

"I don't think I have anything against you going to visit Leo." I blurt, cutting her off and notice her pupils dilate. Her lips part and for a few seconds she doesn't say anything. "But you have to promise to visit me as well."

Mom covers my hands on her knees with her palms, leaning forward. "I'm so proud of the man you've become. You are my light in this darkness, baby. You helped me to find the way out. Bringing Ava with you... you gave me hope, strength. You gave me a reason."

I close my eyes, breathing deeply and steadying my heartbeat. The only word I hear is her name. Her stepping into her dorm room turned my life upside down. It gave me motivation to move forward. The hate I felt for her... was non-existent. It was jealousy. My desire to get a taste of that wild and sassy girl. My obsession with her... and then love. I love Ava, and I know she's the only one for me. She's the girl who saved me from my darkness, from my loneliness. She gave me purpose... and brought my mom back to me. I will be damned if I let anything ruin what we have. She's the air I breathe, she's everywhere I look, everything I hear. She's the girl who brought a fucked up and a closed off asshole like me to my knees, and dear God... I've never been that happy to succumb to her whims. Only hers.

"Colt?" I slowly open my eyes and meet Mom's gaze. It's full of love and compassion. She pinches my cheek, and I grumble standing up. "Promise me that you will talk to your dad?"

I chuckle, shaking my head, still not sure I'm saying it aloud. "I plan to see him soon. I promise."

Just then, Beth's face pops up again in the doorframe and she tsks. My time is up, and I need to go. Even saying bye to Mom is always a struggle. Parting ways I promise Mom that I will talk to Dr Stewart and Leo, to give a heads up to my grandparents about Mom's desire to leave the place for a few days. And also to talk to my dad. I feel conflicted as hell about the last one, but I know it's needed. Ugh, I can't wait to see Ava... she always knows what to say to me.

🏒💥🏒💥🏒

"So?" I tap my foot on the floor, boring my gaze in Layla's. She chews on her bottom lip, fiddling with her phone on her lap. A curt movement of her head and I know, she hasn't been successful either. Ava has disappeared. "Did she really never tell you about her plans?"

Laughter flies from the other room where most of the guys from the team are seated, and I'm ready to pull my hair out of my head. What the fuck is this?! I called her first thing once I got in my car. Nothing. I called her some more on my way home, also nothing. I called her once I got home and stepped into my empty apartment. That time instead of rings, the call went straight to the voicemail. Messages, calls, attempts to contact her via her socials. Nothing.

My last hope was this party. I hoped she would be here, but also... nothing. Worries and fears like little ants find their way into my head, and all I can think of... someone did something to her. She wouldn't have left me like that. Okay, okay, maybe not me, but she definitely wouldn't have left Layla without a word. This conclusion leads to the thought I've been trying to keep away... Something happened to her.

"Dax has no idea where she is." Drake steps into the room with his hands hidden in his pockets. "It was weird as fuck call, and one I don't recommend... Trying to figure out if he knows something, without letting it slip that his only daughter is missing - a fucking struggle."

"Dammit." I curse quietly, standing up from the chair and heading to the window. I see Clay running up the stairs to the building, and I even hold my breath. Maybe he has some good news.

"The last time her roommate saw her was this morning." My best friend exclaims, as soon as he sets foot inside the room. "They don't talk to each other, so she obviously doesn't know where Ava is."

"I told you she wasn't here." Layla snaps, a note of desperation recognizable with ease. Easy girl, we're all in this together.

"Layla, you didn't see Jordan when you went to her room to check on Ava. At least now we know she went somewhere." Clay mutters, coming closer and intending to sit down on the chair. Yet, Layla's sobs stop him midway. He literally halts in his tracks and gawks at his girl with eyes wide like saucers. She's in hysteria, and no matter how it sounds... I'm starting to feel the same.

Drake and I exchange glances, and I head to the door without a word. I want to be anywhere but... Suddenly my phone starts ringing. I swallow a lump in my throat, seeing her beautiful face on my screen. Babe...

"Ava?" I plead, pressing my phone to my ear. "Where are you? I've been going crazy... no one knows where you are. You didn't pick up your phone, didn't answer your messages."

"Colt..." Her voice sounds weak at first, but then she bursts into tears. "I hav-ve no i-ide-a where I am... It's pro-probab-ly a stupid prank... He thought it... it would be funny..."

He? Who the hell is she talking about?! Three pairs of eyes are burning holes into my head, listening to every word I say. Time seems frozen, and I cross my fingers, praying internally for her to continue talking.

"Babe, what happened? Tell me what happened." I demand firmly, as my heart is ready to jump out of my chest. Please, Ava, tell me where you are.

"Baker... He put something in my coffeeeeee..." her sobs and cries are all I hear, but I see red. That fucker dared to touch my girl?! To hurt her?! To drug her?! I swear I'm gonna kill him!

Rushing out of the kitchen, I stomp to the living room where the team is hanging out. Drake and Clay follow me, both lingering behind my back as we stop in the doorframe. The three fucking Musketeers, no less.

Everyone in the room falls silent, eyeing us in confusion. Yet the only person that avoids looking at us is Baker. He sits on the couch, sight glued to his phone as he types something. His fingers are trembling, and it only enrages me more. I want him gone. Period.

"You fucking piece of shit." I growl, stopping in front of him in two strides. I grab his phone and send it flying to the floor. Some girls gasp, and a few guys stand up. "What did you do to her?!"

"Nothing." Baker gapes at me, clenching his fists. "Nothing she doesn't deserve."

"The fuck?!" Drake's roar behind me surges the energy inside my body. I lung forward, grasp this fucker's tee and pull him to his feet. I'm so fucking done with him. "What did you do?!"

"Nothing! I just wanted to scare her! I didn't even touch her!" Baker yells but I hit him in his abdomen, another jab coming right in his nose. It cracks from the force of my punch and blood starts dripping down his t-shirt.

"Thompson!" Someone pulls me back and I see Tyler, our reserve goalie. "What the hell are you doing?!"

I ignore him, my eyes are peeled to Baker's face, as he holds his broken nose. "Where is she?!"

"At the abandoned house! 20 minutes away from here!" He whines, tears stream down his face from pain. "I can ruin your career, asshole! Does that bitch have some magic pussy that you totally lost your mind after a hookup?! Attacking your teammate-"

"She's my girlfriend!" I bellow, and the room becomes quiet at once. Even Tyler lets go of me. Yeah, yeah, Colton fucking Thompson has a girlfriend, such a big surprise! "You put something in her drink, left her in an abandoned house... and for what?! Because she punished you for making a bet about her?!"

"She humiliated me!"

"Oh please!" Clay steps forward, pushing Baker with two of his hands so the moron lands on his ass. "You have no idea what it means to be humiliated! I'll do anything... literally anything... so you won't be part of the team. Ever."

"Me too." Drake shifts, hovering over stupid motherfucker on the floor. "Drugging her kidnapping her-"

"I didn't even touch her! What I gave her is not even a drug! I left her phone with her so she could call her friends! It was a prank! I just wanted her to start thinking about what she does to other people for her entertainment! " Baker shrieks as more and more guys stand up in one row with us. No one cares about the jerk, they all are taking my side.

"You did enough." I grit through my teeth, wheeling around ready to leave this fucking place and find my girl. I glance over my shoulder, knowing perfectly well that the guys will deal with this shit without me. "Try telling someone what I did. Try saying even a single word or throwing a single glance in Ava's direction, and you're a deadman. The picture of you with only a hockey glove on your dick will be sent to everyone. I'll make your life a living hell."

I won't do that. I'm bluffing but it seems to work. His mouth drops open, and he even lets go of his nose. Pathetic fucker!

Storming out of the room and out of the house, I see Layla near my car. She's biting her nails, nervously shifting from one leg to the other. I knew she would be here, and I honestly don't mind her company. My state is too agitated and unstable for me to drive alone.

The ride takes a bit more than twenty minutes because Layla and I have trouble figuring out the right direction. Once I get closer to the house, I see her. She's standing on the porch of the house, leaning her side against a big column. She looks solemn and calm, but with how her shoulders are slumped I know it's a pretense. She's still in shock.

Layla is the first one to jump out of the car, and run over to Ava. She wraps her arms around her best friend's shoulders and pulls her to her chest. They stay in this embrace for what feels like eternity. They whisper something to each other, and also hold one another. The friendship between these two is pure and really reminds me of my own with Clay. A friend who will do anything for you, who will share your pain and happiness with you with the same enthusiasm. It's the best friendship of its kind, and I'm beyond glad she has Layla.

I amble closer as soon as Benson's sister takes a step back. Ava isn't crying anymore, right until our eyes lock. Her bottom lip quivers, and tears flow down her cheeks. I heave a sigh, haul her to my chest and put my chin on the top of her hair. She winds her hands around my waist, as I mold us together. Sharing my warmth with her, my care and my love.

"I've got you, babe. I've got you."