I take a sip of my coffee, staring off into the distance like waiting for visiting hours is my hobby. For some stupid reason, I'm never on time. I'm either early, or late. No in between. Sometimes it irritates me, but now I'm grateful to have a moment to myself. I need to think about my next steps.

Bullying is a real problem in our world. It's sickening to think how many people are going through it, how many of them don't make it because it becomes unbearable for them. Like they don't see other solution except killing themselves, only to stop the torture. The statistic of suicides because of bullying is terrifying, and it always makes my blood boil when I hear stories about these kids. Or when I witness it myself. Yesterday was a nightmare.

The scene still plays in my mind on repeat. Slushy, her eyes locked on mine emitting fire, her vulnerability and then again, her fury. This girl is something else, I swear. I have never met anyone like her, ever. So stunning and so infuriating at the same time. I wanted to twirl her around and kiss her full mouth just as much as I wanted to spank her for her behavior. She's unbelievable!

My phone dings with an incoming message and I take it out of my pocket. Clay wants to know when I'm going to be back. "7pm." I answer him and hide my phone. I will be home earlier; I just want to figure out what to do. Because I obviously need to stop this. It's already getting out of hand and is wrong on so many levels! How stupid are these girls to think that by harassing her they will draw my attention to them? If anything, it will push me as far away as possible. I hate bullies, and I have never been one of them. An arrogant moron, maybe. A vindictive jerk, also maybe. But a bully? Never. It proves a weakness of someone's character, nothing else.

"Colton?" I turn my head to the sound of my name and see Dr. Stewart. He smiles at me, and I stroll over to him, throwing my cup into the trashcan. "It's nice to see you."

"Hey Doc." I shake his hand and take a step back. "How are you?"

"Everything is fine, don't worry." He tilts his head to the side, and we start walking. "How have you been? Don't regret coming back?"

"No. Skipping one single visit with no real reason was a mistake. I'm not going to do that ever again." I smirk.

"How is your dad? The last time I saw him was..." Dr. Stewart looks thoughtful. "Six months ago?"

"My father is okay. I don't talk much with him." More like never. I can't forgive him, and not that I really try. I'm tolerating him, and it's the best way to describe what I feel for my own dad. Even if he would have loved for me to change my mind. I'm his only son and he still has his hopes up about me taking his place in a few years.

"Colt, we have talked about this." His voice becomes softer, and I barely hold myself back from rolling my eyes. "You need at least one parent in your life, and without your mom in the picture..."

"He's the only relative I have. I remember." I finish his sentence for him, and he chuckles. He has this talk with me every opportunity he has, and it always ends with me promising to think about it. Which I never do. At this point in my life, I would have preferred to be an orphan. For real.

"Okay, I give up." I shoot him a glance, and this time he laughs. "For today."

"Didn't expect anything less from you." I comment, watching as he opens the door for us.

"If I remember correctly, you have a game next week."

"Yeah, on Saturday." I confirm, suddenly realizing that this man knows more about me than my father. Not that it surprises me, but still... how fucked up is my life?! "That's why I wanted to be here today. There is no chance I can visit next week."

"Let me guess..." He looks at me sideways. "Another party after the game?"

I chortle loudly, shaking my head as I notice people glancing at us. "Yup, to celebrate our win, or drown our loss in alcohol."

"I have no idea how you can drink and still play hockey as you do."

"I don't drink much anymore." I retort, feeling my neck becoming red. I'm embarrassed to remember how many times this man had seen me with a hangover. "If I go pro, I won't be drinking anything at all."

"At all?" Dr. Stewart smirks, and I nod my head with a serious expression on my face. "If you're telling me the truth, then I'm immensely proud of you. Honestly."

"Thank you." I lower my gaze to my feet, feeling nostalgic. I have known this man for four years, and he's like family already. The family I was robbed of because my father couldn't keep his dick in his pants.

We stop near her room, and I literally hold my breath. What mood will she be in today? Will she recognize me? I put my hand on the doorknob and push it open. My heartbeat becomes rapid as soon as my eyes land on her sitting on her bed. I sneak a glance at Dr. Stewart and see him smiling warmly at me.

"You have three hours." I nod my head, and he puts his hand on my shoulder. "It was nice seeing you, Colt."

"You too doc." He takes a step back and walks away from me. It's time for me to see her. The reason why I have been coming here for four years already. Taking a deep breath, I step into the room and close the door behind me. Slowly strolling to the bed, I stop and look down at her. She's dressed in a simple floral dress, her hair is collected into a neat bun. Finally noticing me, she focuses her gaze on me and smiles. "Hey Mom."

"Colton!" She exclaims, as I lower myself on her bed and hug her tightly. At least, she recognizes me. "I'm so happy to see you!"

"Me too, Mom." I mumble, leaning away and roaming my eyes over her face. It's like she doesn't age at all. My father looks worse and worse with each passing year, while she looks exactly like she did four years ago. She is a very elegant and beautiful woman. Just like I remember her. "How are you?"

"Better now that you're here." She tilts her head to the side, putting a palm on my cheek. "Each time I see you, you look more and more manly. Bigger. Taller. This stubble on your face... My God, baby... why are you growing up so fast?"

"I'm 21." I laugh, and see her face contort in confusion. Damn, I should know better. The fact she recognizes me doesn't mean she understands what year it is. "I'm joking, Mom."

"You and your sense of humor!" She slaps my hand, furrowing her brow. "Just like your father's! He never knows how to tell a joke that will make everyone laugh."

I avert my gaze, focusing on the wall. On days when she remembers everything, I stay away. She cries, tosses things all over her room and curses. Last year, she thought I was him and hit me in my face so hard, I had a black eye the next day. That day my similarities to my father played a joke on me, and since then, Dr. Stewart forbids me from seeing her when she's in that phase. I can defend myself, but it's more about her... because each time it happens, her state becomes worse. And I don't want to lose her.

"Colt, baby..." I peer at her, sighing deeply and banishing my gloomy thoughts. "How are you? Tell me about your days?"

I smile, taking her palm in mine. "What do you want to know?" I ask. It's easier for me to come up with stories if I know what she wants to hear.

"I've been in the mood lately." She laughs heartily. "I watched one of my favorite movies, Serendipity with Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack... So, I'm all for romance... Do you have a girlfriend?"

I blink, long and hard, totally dumbfounded. She thinks I'm 17, and ready to fall in love for the first time in my life. It's not the question I expected to hear, but okay... I can do that. "Sorry to disappoint, Mom. Hockey is the only crush I have." Not that I am lying. I have never loved anyone. I didn't get the chance, I guess. Especially after what happened with my mom, it was hard to believe in love. Or to want a relationship.

"Ugh, baby..." Mom looks disappointed. "I can understand you're focusing on hockey. It's your life. Your passion, and I admire you for that... but... you're a young man and it's impossible for me to imagine you being totally alone! Girls always loved you. Always! You're such a beautiful boy, and I don't believe even for a second there is no one on your mind."

I hate myself for my thoughts. Her image pops up in my head instantly and absolutely involuntarily. As if she lives there. I close my eyes and her scent starts wafting around me. I'm momentarily back in the bathroom again, bracing myself on the sink and framing her in my embrace. She has a perfect body but her tits... Damn, her full boobs in her beige and pink bra look so good, that I am literally forcing myself not to stare. Though, even the glimpse I have is enough for my dick to become rock-solid. I want her so badly... like I never wanted anyone in my life...

"Colton?" Mom's voice is quiet, but it's like a slap. It brings me back to my senses. Dammit! I hate the way I react to that girl. It's new to me, but still bothersome. I don't want to feel like that. I need to get it out of my system for good. A night of mind-blowing sex might help me with that, help me to forget her.

"Sorry Mom, but I really don't have time for anything except hockey. If I want to be accepted into college, that's it." I smile and see her face relaxing. She pats my knee, looking apologetically at me.

"I'm sad to hear that, but I understand." Mom murmurs, leaning closer. "Promise me something."

"Whatever you want." I quickly answer, eager to hear her out. It's rare for her to be in such a mood, smiley and cheerful. I love seeing her like this, because she reminds me of her old self... before shit went downhill. It's precious.

"If you meet a girl you like, one who just at the sight of her causes your heartbeat to speed up... one that is constantly on your mind, day and night... one that will stir such strong emotions within you that it is hard to control yourself... If you meet a girl like that, promise me you will bring her here and introduce her to me." My face drains of its color. I'm speechless, and just gawk at her. "Please, Colt, it will mean the world to me... Promise me..."

I swallow a lump in my throat, blinking a few times to get rid of the state I am in. "O-Okay. I promise." No one knows my mom is here. No one. I don't let anyone get that close to me. Not even my best friend. How am I supposed to bring anyone to meet her? Especially a girl! It's impossible! I cross my fingers behind my back before I open my mouth. "I will."

"Thank you so much, sweetheart." She inches closer and plants a kiss on my cheek. I smile, my mind in total disarray. This visit is not how I envisioned it at all. And I'm not sure I like this sudden change. "Hm... How about you tell me more about your days? How is school? Clay?"

I bite my inner cheek, becoming thoughtful for a moment. I always need to be extra careful when I tell her about my days. One word can cause her anxiety, if I start talking about my studies in college, about my classmates she never heard of, about my professors she never met. It's like walking on eggshells, one wrong move and everything collapses.

Four hours later, I park my car near my apartment building. Blinking in surprise when I see Clay, Layla and her roommate, Grace. When he called me 30 minutes ago, he sure didn't mention Benson's sister. Why the hell are they here? And what do they want from me?

I climb out of my Lexus RX, pinching my brows as I meet my best friend's gaze. He shrugs his shoulders, as if telling me it's not his fault. I huff, locking the car and strolling in their direction. Stopping in front of them, I see Layla's lips break into a smile. She's literally beaming, while Grace looks moody. She doesn't want to be here, and we're on the same page since I want them gone too. Even Clay if he can't get rid of the extra unwanted visitors.

"Hey," I say, hiding my hands in my pockets.

"Hey Thompson." Grace mumbles under her breath.

"Hey man." Clay nods his head at me.

"Hey Colt." Layla greets me, shifting a little and almost shoving her breasts in my face. The dress she's wearing has a deep V, and guys probably have a tough time averting their gazes. Unlike me. I don't like her, and more so, I convinced myself a long time ago that hooking up with her isn't worth ruining my friendship with her brother. "Where have you been?"

"Home," I answer, and shift my gaze to Clay, looking expectedly at him.

"I was on my way to your place when I met them... They were bored, so asked if they could come with me." And you said yes? The question is on the tip of my tongue, but I hold myself back.

"I was incredibly busy all week. Practices have been taking up a huge amount of my time." Layla chirps with a smile. "So, I really just hoped to have an opportunity to relax with pleasant company. Nothing else."

"I thought pleasant company includes Ava." Clay sounds bitter. The girl keeps saying no, and he doesn't like it. It's like he is trying even harder to make her agree to go on a date with him, but her answer is the same. Though, considering everything she's going through, I'm not surprised she always says no.

Layla becomes sad, her smile fades away. "I have barely had time for Ava the past two weeks. I hoped to spend this weekend with her, but she left for home yesterday as soon as her classes ended." She glances at Clay. "She didn't even tell me she was going home. I found out when I called her this morning."

So, she's lonely. Her best friend is busy with her cheerleading' practices, and I can understand now why she hid everything from her. It's not the conversation you want to have with your friend when you barely see them. You want to use those rare occasions to catch up and talk about nice things, and not about idiots torturing you. I really need to make things right. She doesn't deserve to be treated this way. Even if we don't get along.

"Colt?" I look down and see Layla waving her palm in front of my face. "You kinda spaced out."

"Sorry. It's been a long day." I mutter, turning my head and peering at a pizza place. I don't want to invite them to my apartment, but I don't want to be rude. "How about pizza?"

"Sounds great." Clay finally smiles. "Let's go."

"Are we going to place an order and then go to your flat?" Layla quirks an eyebrow at me, and I see Grace roll her eyes. Yeah, girl, your friend is hitting on me too obviously and lays it on too thick. It's almost ridiculous, keeping in mind the number of times I've told her no.

"No. Sorry. My place is a mess, so I'm definitely not going to invite you over." I explain, turn around and start walking in the direction of the pizza place. They follow me without a word, just like I expect them to.

I clear my head from other thoughts and decide to focus on right now. I can't do anything to get rid of Layla and Grace without offending them. I can't do anything now to fix the situation for the girl and make my groupies leave her alone. Yet, a plan is forming in my head, and I can actually use Layla's help. The girl needs to be at the party next week. No matter what.