The Penalty Box (Vancouver Wolves Hockey #3)(80)

We sat silently together on the phone for a long time.

Finally, I managed to say, “Thank you for sharing, Yelena.”

“I was a shit mother, but believe it or not, I’d do anything for my son.”





*



It took me two days to process everything she had told me. I had to sit with her words and envision what ten-year-old Mica had experienced to understand the extent of his fear. His refusal to marry, his determination never to have a child, all of that made sense in light of what he had endured. Now his reaction to everything made perfect sense. No one who lived through that, would ever want to risk living through that again.

“Are you coming back?”

“I’m going to try.”

He had asked me to take the morning-after pill. To make sure I wasn’t pregnant. I had glibly determined it would probably be okay. He had been trying to prevent his worst nightmare, and I had taken a chance that it might not happen.

What I couldn’t figure out was why we had unprotected sex. I had been the one to suggest a condom, but he had seemed almost indifferent to the risk. We had both made choices that day that had come back to haunt us, and now we were dealing with the fallout.

I didn’t feel pregnant. Other than some nausea and tighter bras, I felt like myself. I had been so distraught over Mica’s reaction that I hadn’t yet come to terms with the fact that I was going to have a baby. None of this seemed real. All I knew was that I wanted my husband back.





*



Getting Mica to talk to me was proving more than difficult. Mainly because he wasn’t answering his phone and I had no idea which hotel he was staying in. No one, not even Ryan, knew where he was. I was about to start stalking the arena, but then Zoey had a brilliant idea.

The Valentine’s Day Charity Gala.

Zoey found out through Ryan that Mica had been volunteered to attend. So she bought tickets for me, Ryan and herself to attend. Would he be willing to talk to me? Would I find the right words to make him want to come home? Did he even want to come home, or had he completely walked away from this marriage? Did he really love me? Could we find our way through this?

“You need to look like a knockout,” she advised.

I chose my dress carefully. I picked a sleeveless light purple dress that had a fitted bodice and softly flared into a wide tulle skirt at the hips. Big tulle flowers seemed to float on the skirt.

I didn’t speak when Ryan and Zoey came to pick me up. I was too nervous.

Zoey kept reassuring me. “It’s going to be okay. Mica’s going to take one look at you and everything will be fine.”

I loved her confidence, but I wasn’t sure this plan would make any difference.





*



In the front foyer of the hotel, there was a bar set up where a hundred patrons stood around drinking in their finest. I stood at the doorway and my eyes searched the room.

There he was.

He stood off to the side. He looked so fucking handsome in his tux. It reminded me of that fateful first day when he had changed in front of me.

Then I saw Sabrina. She wore a blood-red fitted dress that should have clashed with her hair, but it only added to her glow. She angrily talked at him. He stood watching her with hooded eyes, no reaction on his face. My stomach did a queasy flop. Were they together? Was I too late? Is that why he hadn’t called me? Was my marriage already over?

“Come on.” Zoey tugged at my hand. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this figured out.”

I felt stupid for being here, chasing a man that didn’t want to be chased.

“Do you think Sabrina is his date?”

Zoey scowled. “No, Mica has way better taste than that.”

“I don’t think he wants to see me.”

She gave me a look over her shoulder. “Just trust me, okay? Let’s get through dinner. I have a plan.”

A familiar voice called me. “Charlie.”

I inwardly winced as I turned to look at Andrew, striding towards me with a huge smile on his face. “Oh hi, Andrew. What are you going here?”

He smiled. “I’m here because of my job.”

We stood there awkwardly for a long moment. I was too distraught over Mica and everything else to have any energy to direct towards Andrew.

He gave me a little smile. “Did I ruin our friendship with my Christmas gift?”

I couldn’t lie to him. He had crossed a line. “That gift made my husband uncomfortable.”

“You can tell him I have a new girlfriend,” he offered.

“That’s great, Andrew.”

“I’d love to introduce you to her one day.”

Where was Mica? I worked not to look around for him. “I’d love to meet her.”

He gave a nonchalant shrug. “She’s not here tonight, but Sandy loves her. We’re still working on Henry.”

I felt like I was going through the motions. “I’m thrilled for you.”

“I need to get to my table. Maybe we can catch up on a walk someday?” His smile broadened. “Maybe with my girlfriend?”

“That’d be nice.”

“Great. Have a great night.”

He turned and walked away from me.

Zoey looked at me. “How are you doing?”