Why the hell will no one tell me how she is?! I'm her fucking son and all that they are giving me is a line of crap 'Your mom is in ER, we're doing everything we can'. I need to fucking know what happened? How severe are her injuries? What is the prognosis? What are the chances for her to recover fully? Answers, I need fucking answers and they are giving me none.

I take my phone out of my pocket and see missed calls from my grandparents, from Clay and other guys from the team. Even my coach has already called me, but not him. My asshole father is pretending that nothing happened... that nothing is his fault while in reality? It's totally on him... and on me... I should have told her everything the second I found out the truth. I shouldn't have listened to him. I shouldn't have lied to her.

I shove my phone back in my pocket and rub my palms over my face. I'm so fucking drained that I feel like I'm going to pass out. I lean my side on the wall and close my eyes. I just want to go back in time and fix everything. I want to save her from this, from this knowledge... from how she found out about her husband's infidelity. It shouldn't have come to this. Ever.

"Hey." A deep and soothing voice rips me out of my thoughts. I snap my eyes open and stare at the man I have never seen in my life. He's tall and really big, with broad shoulders and a toned chest. He definitely has a physical job, I will never believe he spends his work days in the office. It's his posture, his physique and how he stands with his head high and shoulders squared. He's close to my father's age, but he looks different. The vibe he gives me is the opposite from what I feel near my own dad. It's like this man's calm demeanor affects everyone around him... including me.

I keep silent, watching him intently. I'm not in the best mood, and I'm afraid I'm going to flip out any minute. It's always hard for me to communicate with people I don't know, but tonight it looks like it's impossible. I needed to gather all my strength not to yell at the nurses I tried to talk to. He doesn't look like someone who works in the hospital, so I honestly have no desire to engage in conversation with him.

"My name is Dax," he tells me, and I narrow my eyes. What does he want from me?! "I was on my way home, when I saw your mom's car hit the railing of the bridge."

I push myself away from the wall, my whole body is tense and I ball my fists. My heart thunders in my chest, louder and louder. The world around me stops existing, and I focus my attention solely on this man. Is he the one who saved her? Someone told me she was lucky a firefighter was on the bridge, but if it's him I hadn't seen him before in our town.

"Did you..." I clear my throat and lick my lips. My mouth is dry as a bone, and I sound hoarse. "Did you save her?"

"That's what I do. I'm a firefighter." He gently smiles at me, the corners of his eyes softening. "The second I saw her car falling over the bridge and straight into the river, I knew what to do. I truly hope I made it in time and that she will have a chance to recover."

"No one will tell me anything." I blurt, choking on my own words. "I know nothing about her state... about her injuries. Literally nothing."

"I'm sorry son. Being in the dark is always hard. Sometimes our imagination draws pictures much worse than the reality itself. Panic fills every bone, setting our veins on fire... so strong and so consuming that you're ready to do anything to cut them open." Dax says, hiding his hands in his pockets. And just like that I know he speaks from experience. Not only one he gained because of his work, but something way more personal. "You need to have hope. To hold it close to your heart and pray for the best. Always. It's bad right now, but it won't be like that forever. Keep that in mind, and try focusing on good things. On the future where your mom is alive and happy. On the future where you can see her smile and talk to her about your days. Thinking positively is hard, but it's really worth it. Trust me."

I stay quiet for a moment, chewing vigorously on my inner cheek. If only I didn't feel so guilty, it would be easier... it would be the only thing on my mind, for my mom to be okay. Now? On top of feeling nervous and scared of her future, I'm drowning in my own ocean of regrets. I failed her... I betrayed her trust... her faith in me. I broke her... only because I agreed to keep quiet. Fuck!

"Where is your father?" I clench my jaw so hard that my teeth hurt. Dax notices it and frowns, pinching his brows together. "I know they contacted her family... I told them to do so as soon as I got here."

"My father is a jerk."

"Should have guessed." He mutters under his breath, looking around. His gaze lingers on my sports bag and my hockey stick on the floor for a few minutes, and then he stares at me in the eyes. "You play hockey?"

"Yeah." I nod, gradually relaxing because he doesn't push the issue. Telling a complete stranger the truth about my father and why my mom ended up on that fucking bridge is not something I want to do. "I was on my way home from practice when I got the call from the police. Rushed here without any second thought... I have no idea why I grabbed my stuff from my car."

Dax chuckles, flashing a little grin. "You were stressed, and in a state like that we don't really think clearly. Though, it actually means something."

"What?"

"Hockey is important to you. It's something you love. And when you felt as if your world was falling apart, you grabbed your stuff as if it's the only stable element in your life. Subconsciously. Probably without even realizing what you were doing or why. Am I right?"

"Maybe." I chortle, my eyes widening a second later. I was tense as a fucking string, and now I am fucking smiling?

"I've probably seen you play. My friends' kid is a hockey player too, and if they play at home - I'm always at the ice rink with his family and my daughter. Can't say I really love hockey, though."

"No? Hockey is the best thing ever."

"Arguable." He laughs, looking at something over my shoulder. "I think the doctor wants to talk to you."

I hurriedly veer my head and see a young doctor eyeing me from a distance. He's the one I already tried to talk to, and he brushed me off. Maybe he has some news for me?

I return my attention to Dax and smile at him. "Thank you so much for saving my mom, Dax. She's the most important person in my life and losing her..." I fall silent, taking a deep breath to steady my heartbeat. I shut my eyes for a moment, and then gawk at Dax. His eyes are emerald green and they are full of warmth. He said he has a daughter... and I honestly envy her. Having a father like him, must be really great. I'm sure he's not a douche canoe like my sperm donor is. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome..." He arches his eyebrow, and I realize I still haven't introduced myself.

"Colton. I'm Colt."

"You're very welcome, Colt." He extends his palm to me, and we shake hands. "I hope to see you on the ice one day. I promise to cheer for you."

I glance over my shoulder, noticing the doctor shifting uncomfortably and shivers run down my spine. "I gotta go."

"Of course." Dax nods and takes a step back. "Bye Colton."

"Bye," I mumble, whirl around and storm over to the doctor. If it wasn't for Dax, I probably would have had a breakdown already. His presence and his talk with me helped me a ton. I will be forever grateful to him. For everything.

🏒💥🏒💥🏒

The second my eyes land on Ava's father, I'm lost in my memories. I can't really back away without looking like a moron. I don't have any other choice except stepping inside their house, and reliving all the memories I tried to forget. What the fuck is this? How is it even possible that the first girl I have ever liked is the daughter of the man who saved my mother's life? It doesn't make any sense!

"Hey Colt." He says with a smile, while my heart contracts. It feels as if someone is keeping me under water, not letting me take a deep breath. Not letting me fill my lungs. I want to disappear... just because I'm afraid of the talk that is coming.

"Hello Dax."

Ava walks up close and steps between us, glancing at me and her father in turns. "You know each other?"

Dax smiles at me and nods. "Yes."

"How?" She puts her hands on her hips, confusion is the most evident emotion on her beautiful face.

I lock my eyes with her father and I instantly know he won't say more. He is waiting for me to make this decision. He wants me to reveal the truth to his daughter... and I'm not ready for that. "Your dad knows my mom."

"Really?" Ava asks, a wrinkle between her brows becomes deeper and more visible.

"Yeah." Dax nods, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes is fleeting. I just made the worst first impression ever. I'm a fucking liar and I don't deserve his daughter. At all. "Met once, but I still remember her. A woman like Avery is hard to forget."

"Did my dad hit on your mom?" She demands and he cackles. "Dad!"

"Do I look like someone who would hit on someone's wife? Really, Ava? You definitely know better."

"Sorry, Dad. I just... I think I didn't expect you two to know each other."

"The moment you mentioned he's a hockey player and his last name I knew I met Colton already." Dax meets my gaze, and I have no idea what to say. He's not angry with me, is he? He understands why I'm not telling her the truth. But why?

"You should have told me..." Ava exclaims and then stops moving, her mouth falls open. "Ohhhhh, you asked me for his last name but I didn't figure out why... Damn, you, Dad!"

"Sorry, sweetie. You kinda called him an asshole, so I wasn't sure I should mention meeting him before."

"I am an asshole," I state, seeing her cheeks blush. She huffs, pouting her puffy lips so much that the only thing I want to do is kiss her.

"She also said you look at her like she's your favorite snack." Dax folds his arms across his chest, hardly keeping himself from laughter. "And I kinda see it too."

I bite my inner cheek, feeling my neck reddening. All this freaking tension is keeping hostage my body and my mind has disappeared. Is it how meeting your crush's parents for the first time goes? So easy and so fucking nice? Something is telling me, it's not usually like that at all. It's just Dax and his personality. And how much he loves his daughter... It's contagious.

"Dad!" Ava yelps, and her father burst out laughing, not being able to contain himself anymore. She shifts, grasping my hand in hers and drags me upstairs. "I'm going to show Colton to his room and then we can have lunch together."

"Whatever you say, honey." Dax murmurs, still shaking from his laughter.

I follow her in silence, thoughts like a swarm of bees circulate in my head. My room? Wasn't Drake's message about me staying at his house? I honestly don't understand a thing, but I'm happy nonetheless. The more time with Ava the better.

She opens the door to a room and we step inside, heading straight to the bed. Ava lets go of my hand, and I sit on the bed, looking up at her. Every time I look at her, I'm falling harder and harder for her. Sometimes it scares me, but sometimes like today, I feel blessed. With how fucked up I was, I didn't think I'd ever feel anything close to how I feel now. It's a fucking miracle she likes me back.

She collected her long brown hair in two braids, wearing no makeup and still being absolutely gorgeous. Ava doesn't have even an ounce of pretense in her, and I'm pulled to her and her honesty as if she's a magnet. My personal kind of orbit, and I revolve around her every damn minute of every day.

I put my hands on her hips and draw her closer, to stand between my legs. She is wearing a white crop-top and blue cotton shorts. She's cute and also sexy as hell. Her flat midriff with her belly piercing makes it hard for me to concentrate on anything else, because every new thought that comes to my mind is dirtier than the last.

I squeeze her butt, and peer at her in the eyes. "My room?"

"Do you like it?" She asks with a tiny grin on her plump lips.

I rake my gaze over the place and nod my head. It's simple, without any obnoxious decor or shitty designer rooms, like my family's house is full of. There is one bed, a closet and a full-length mirror. Nothing superfluous and I like it.

"Yup. It's nice and the bed is soft."

"Cool."

"Though, I'm a bit confused," I muse and she arches her eyebrow at me. "Drake sent me a message too, saying that I could stay at his house."

"That was the plan." Ava places her hands on my shoulders, locking them around my neck. "But once I talked to my dad about your visit, he was sure that if you would be staying at the Bensons, I would constantly be over there. With you."

"Is that so?"

"Uh huh." She purrs, bending her head down and hovering her mouth over mine. "Why didn't you tell me you were staying at your apartment?"

"You were excited to go home. To spend time with your dad. I didn't want to take away from that."

"And you didn't want me to feel sorry for you?"

"A little." I confess, her hot breath sends a rush of energy right through my body and to my cock.

"Stop having ideas, Colton." She quickly kisses my lips and pulls back. "My dad is downstairs and he's waiting for us to have lunch together. I'm not a mind reader, but I'm sure he wants to talk to you. About your mom."

Her words are the best cold shower in the world. I drop my hands off her sides, and she takes a step back. Narrowing her eyes, she examines me with a little frown.

"He's very considerate. If he senses you don't want to talk about it, he won't push it."

"I know." I avert my gaze, looking down at my lap. "My mom... it's complicated."

"I understand." Ava nods, turning around and edging to the door. "I hope you know you can trust me."

"I do."

She opens the door and walks outside. "I'll wait for you downstairs."

The door is almost closed, when I hop to my feet and race after her. Ava halts in her tracks, glancing at me over her shoulder. "I don't want you to wait for me... and I'm kinda tired of being alone."

"Do you need to get your stuff from your car?" Ava asks, lacing our fingers together. "I can go with you."

"Yes, please." I grin as we go downstairs.

🏒💥🏒💥🏒

Lunch with Dax and Ava exceeded all my expectations. They made me feel welcome as if I belong to their little family. The conversation was flowing with lots of jokes and funny stories. He never asked anything about my mom, and I honestly was grateful to him for that... even if I know that it will be impossible for me to leave this house without talking to Dax about her.

This lunch reminded me so much of my lunches with my mom before shit went down, so much that even my heart was aching. These long gone memories tear me down, bringing me to my knees and make me feel hopeless. I would trade everything I have for even a minute with my mom being her old self. I would do anything to heal her... for her to never have gone through what she experienced. She didn't deserve for her future to be stolen. My father was the one who needed to pay for his sins, not her. Yet, destiny proved again how unfair this life is. Evil always wins.

"What do you want to drink?" Drake's voice is so loud in my ear, I curse. Being so deep in my head, I didn't even notice him coming closer. "Daydreaming in the middle of a party, Thompson?"

"More like getting lost in my memories." I mutter and he guffaws. "When I came here today, I didn't think I would end up at a party."

"Neither did I." He takes a beer bottle, taking a sip and grimacing. "It's as warm as pee."

"Talking from experience?" I comment and he freezes, staring at me as if he doesn't recognize me. "What?"

"She's rubbing off on you. In a good way."

"You make it sound like I never joke." I scoff, hiding my hands in my pockets.

"Oh, you do, but not like that." Drake smiles, clapping me on my back. "Really glad to see you here."

"Me too." I flash him a smile, chuckling instantly. "Rodgers wants to be invited too."

"I saw his Insta. He's having the time of his life at home, partying and clubbing. Why the hell would he want to come here?" Benson pinches his brows together, eyeing with my curiosity.

"I think he likes your sister."

"Not going to happen. Nah-uh. Out of the question." He shakes his head, setting the opened beer bottle on the table. "He's even worse than you when it comes to girls."

"Wow." I whistle, cackling loudly. "I thought my reputation preceded me."

"Rodgers is a manwhore, and you're not. I stopped counting the girls he slept with during our freshman year, and we're fucking seniors now!" Drake gives me a pointed look, and I don't even have any valid points to make to argue with him. Being a big brother, he wants the best for his sister, and Clay as he is... is definitely not the guy best suited for that role. "I can invite him and he can stay at my house, since you're staying at the Mason's, but... I will never ever approve of him having a relationship with Layla. Though what am I talking about? He doesn't do relationships. He will bang her and forget about her the next morning, as he always does."

"There are always exceptions." I say quietly, and we lock eyes. I mean myself and he understands it right away. "Someone who will make you forget everything and everyone."

"Colt, I know he's your best friend. And I know you mean well, but unless I really see a difference in how he treats my sister as opposed to all his other girls, I will say no."

"I respect that." We smile at each other, and then turn around. I search for Ava with my eyes in the crowd of people with no luck. She went to use the bathroom with Layla, and I haven't seen her for at least 10 minutes for sure.

"Oh, fuck no." Drake mumbles, taking off without even a look in my direction. I follow him with my gaze and my body becomes rigid. Ava and some dude are arguing in the middle of the crowd of people dancing. He's tall and as big as a fucking bull and I finally recognize him. It's Jefferson. Her ex.