by Mary Smith
I call her phone and before she can say anything I yell out, “Nova, where are you?”
“I’m with Uncle Oliver in his suite. What’s wrong?”
“Where? Where’s his room?”
“608.”
I end the call and take the stairs two by two until I get to the sixth floor. I’m out of breath as I pound on the door.
“Teo,” Oliver answers the door. “Son, are you okay?”
“Nova.” I breathe out and she comes running to me.
“Teo, why are you crying?” Her concern is deeply written on her face.
I’m crying?
“Come here.” She pulls me to her and hugs me.
I collapse on the couch and sob. I don’t know where it came from, but here it is. The emotional outpour of tears streaming down my face and onto Nova’s shoulder. She softly whispers how it’ll be okay and we’ll get through it together.
A few moments longer, or maybe a few hours later, I calm down. Oliver hands me a washcloth and a glass of water. After wiping my face and a couple gulps of cool liquid, I spill out everything that happened to me while at the restaurant with Father. I tell her every detail from the text message to me running out until I reached her.
“Oh Teo.” Nova pulls me closer. “It’ll be okay. I’m right here.”
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Oliver stands.
“I’m sorry, Oliver.”
“Don’t apologize, Teo. You’re family and Nova’s going to take good care of you.” He nods and leaves us alone in the suite.
“Teo, are you hungry or should I get you something else?”
“Don’t leave me.” I beg. I’ve told Nova how I’ve felt about her a million times, but she doesn’t know all about my family and myself.
“I’m not going to leave you.”
“Listen to me. You heard me say horrible things to you and I threatened you more than once to take Klara from you, but deep down, I’ve loved you since our first date. I kept this persona of hating women because of my mother’s lies, yet in reality, I don’t know why I pushed every one out of my life. I’m sorry, N. I love you and Klara so much.”
“Teo. Teo.” She kisses me. “I said mean things as well. Plus–and this is big–I lied to you about our baby. If anyone should be begging here, it’s me. I love you and I’m not going anywhere.”
I kiss her hard. She and I are going to be a team. Forever.
I DIDN’T HEAR from Father or any other family member until we all got back to Manchester, almost six days later. After Nova and I both professed our love, our true love, to each other, I asked not to talk about my family until I can figure it out on my own. Nova has respected my wishes.
Nova is stirring pasta on the stove as I spoon feed Klara. I swear our baby has grown three inches since we left, but I love her even more.
The doorbell startles us both. “I’ll get it,” she says.
“It’s probably Nathan. I invited him,” I tell her. I didn’t think he would be coming though.
I can hear the whispering of several different voices. Something doesn’t feel right. I wipe Klara’s face and hands, remove her bib, and take her to find out what’s going on. In the living room is Nova along with Father, Mother, and Ellen.
“I told them you didn’t want to see them yet,” Nova says.
“It’s fine.” I step up to Mother. I look at her. Really look at her. She doesn’t seem sick or even look it. She’s lost some weight and is a bit paler, but she’s still the same.
“Why doesn’t everyone have a seat?” Nova suggests. “Does anyone want anything to drink?”
“May I hold Klara?” Mother asks.
I hand my daughter to her and sit next to Nova on the small couch.
“Teo, we want to talk to you. Just talk.” Ellen starts.
I nod.
“You’ve heard Father and Mother, but now you’re going to listen to me.” Ellen fully turns to face me. “Whatever childish memories you’re hanging onto, you have to let them go. Our parents raised us to be smart and independent. We both succeed in each department. They love us. Do they say they love us six hundred times? No. They show it in the way they know how. We attended the best schools, had the best of everything we could ask for, and we all had a great childhood. You have wrapped yourself around a few memories and cast us all to the side because of it. Well, I’m here to tell you, Teo Elgin, you’re a fucking idiot. We’re family and we love you, you selfish prick.”
I close my eyes at her words. This week has made me think a lot. Mother is dying. In less than a year she’ll be gone and I’ll have no mother. It’s also made me reflect back to other memories. No, my parents never attended my games or any school functions, but they took me to the events. Right before they’d drop me off they would say they had to work. After some Googling and calling former friends whom I knew their families worked with mine I found out some things.
When I was ten my hockey team was playing in the city championship and no one was there to celebrate with me. I found out Mother had been training to be a cardiac surgeon and was assisting with a transplant team that particular night. It was said she was a big help. It was just one of numerous stories of the same content. Then I found article after article of Mother’s talent. There’s nothing saying why she left the surgical program, but she did.
Then I searched Father, and it’s the same scenario there. His specialty has helped a massive amount of patients. His articles and papers are deeply rooted with care and kindness to those he helped. I learned more about my family from Google, and it made me feel ashamed.
They’ve accomplished more than I can ever imagine. They’ve saved countless people and I know they love their jobs. It’s certainly hard on her no longer being able to work.
Their choices in their marriage are between them. If they agreed to have relations outside of the home that’s between them. It has nothing to do with me.
“I would like to apologize to you, Nova.” Mother breaks the silence. “I never truly wanted to take Little Klara from you. I should have told you–or better yet explained–the plan I had. Teo and Ellen attended a top-rated prep school in Gothenburg. I wanted to extend the invitation to Klara. I really wasn’t the greatest mother. I did put my career first and now I see how much it hurt Teo.” She clears her throat and adjusts Klara in her lap. “I’m sorry, Teo. I’m sorry I wasn’t there enough for you. I’m proud of you and all your accomplishments. I’m proud you’re putting your daughter and Nova first in your life. I love you.”
I blink hard to fight back the tears. Nova squeezes my hand.
“Clara, thank you for the apology. I accept it and understand what you were doing. I can promise you she’ll go to the best schools and know all about her Swedish heritage.” Nova vows.
“N, will you take Klara? I need to talk to them alone,” I ask.
She looks at me for a few seconds before rising and taking Klara toward the bedroom.
“Teo—”
“Let me speak, Mother.” I cut her off. I scoot to the end of the love seat and place my elbows on my knees. I rub my hands together and find the right words. “I was wrong. All these years I thought women were horrible creatures because of the lies you told. As a young adult, I carried the same hatred, and it’s the reason we’ve not spoken. Now, I’m a father and it breaks my heart to think of Klara never speaking to me.” I pause and steady my breath. “I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”
“Teo.” Mother rises and awkwardly hugs me. “Teo, we’re all sorry, but there’s still time to be family.”
“There is.” I hug her back. “There’s still time.”
“YOU WANTED TO see me, Coach.” I tap on his door.
“Come in, Teo.” He points to the seat in front of the desk. “We need to talk.”
I sit and wait for what’s about to come. I’m not sure I can handle any big changes, but I’m ready for whatever comes.
“Apparently Nathan is part superhero and is healing faster than we original
ly expected.”
I smirk. “He is a superhero.” I’ve joked about his love of comic books more than once.
“Teo, you’ll be the backup again. I know you have really stepped up for us but—”
“Coach, it’s fine.” I rise and hold out my hand. “I’d be honored to be Nathan’s backup. I’m still a Bear, and I can still support this team I love.”
Coach stands and shakes my hand. “I’m glad, Teo. It’s my honor to coach you. Most importantly to have you part of my family.”
AFTER PRACTICE, ALDEN, Bas, Cabel, and even Nathan join me for lunch. Vance was going to come, but he wanted to see his babies and Dacey. Klara is with Emma until Nova gets off work. I should go get her, but in truth, I need some guy time.
“Alden, why are you quiet? By now, you’ve tried to pick up every woman in here.” Cabel questions.
“She told me no.” He drops his fork in despair.
“Who?” Nathan seems as confused as all of us.
“Baylor Royer,” he answers.
“Who’s that?” I ask.
“She’s my tattooer and the one who pierced my dick and nipples.”
I wince in pain thinking about all of Alden’s piercings.
“She told you no for another tattoo?” Cabel asks, baffled. “Or a piercing?”
“No. We had sex in the back of her office and when I called her up to hit it again, she told me no. No one has ever told me no. Ever.” He tosses his hands up.
“Maybe she didn’t like your small dick.” Bas jokes.
“I’ll whip it out right here and let it slap you on the forehead.” Alden reaches for his zipper but Cabel stops him.
“She told you no, what’s the big deal?” I shrug. “I’m certain your contact list has someone on there to take care of your problem.”
“I want her.” He growls.
“Whoa! Are you like...in love?” Nathan turns his nose up.
“No. I’m horny and she told me no.” He whines.
“Stop being a baby.” Nathan punches his shoulder. “It’s one girl.”
“I guess.” He finally lets it go and we change the subject but I don’t think he’ll let it go.
THERE’S NOTHING SEXIER than watching Nova nurse Klara. Normally, she doesn’t allow the baby in the bed, but Klara isn’t well tonight.
“Teo, I’ve been thinking.” Nova strokes Klara’s cheek as the baby’s eyes grow heavy.
“What?” I’m stretched out on the bed.
“Why don’t you move in? I mean you’re already here almost every single night and I want you to. You’ll be here for Klara and me too.”
I don’t answer her right away because I’m not sure if she’s serious or not.
“Or not? It’s just an idea.” She tucks herself away and takes Klara to her own room.
I follow her and wait until she puts our daughter down. I step up behind her and hold her tightly.
“I want to be here every day and every night. You and Klara are my life and there’s nowhere I want to be. But remember I’m just a guy who’s a backup goalie for the Bears.”
She turns and cups my face. “I’m just a girl with a baby who is in love with a backup goalie.”
I smile. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
ANNOUNCEMENT
Dear Readers,
I want to thank you for all your support reading the New Hampshire Bears. Each review, good or bad, I treasure and thank you for them all.
As you’ve been reading these books you’ve noticed the hints I’m dropping. The Manchester Cats, Concord Rams, and Nashua Tigers will all have their own series spin-offs.
There’s a small catch. The Nashua Tigers will not be written by me. I’m passing the puck (see that I did there!) to a new and upcoming write I’ve recently signed to my publishing company, Gone Writing Publishing, Elle Kimberly.
She is an amazing person and will be taking the Tigers to a whole new place and I can’t wait for you all to meet a whole new set of characters and hotter hockey players.
Please follow Elle on her newly established Facebook page at: Elle Kimberly
Thank you all again,
Mary
Next Installment of New Hampshire Bears
Want to know if Alden Brockman’s tattoo artist say yes to him? Then get ready for The Player and the Tattoo Artist summer 2017.
About the Author
Best Selling Author, Mary Smith, has been coming up with stories her whole life. She has written A HOCKEY TUTOR and THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BEARS SERIES along with numerous other titles, as well as co-authored THE PENALTY KILL TRILOGY, OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN SERIES, and THE NINTH INNINGS SERIES with Lindsay Paige. When not busy writing or rooting for the Chicago Blackhawks you can find her with her nose stuck in her Kindle.
You can visit her website at: www.authormarysmith.com
Follow her on Twitter: @maryms1980
Or Faceook: www.facebook.com/authormarysmith
Books By Author:
The Ice Series (Adult Sports Romance trilogy):
Melting Away the Ice
Breaking the Ice
Shattering the Ice
Thawing the Ice (A Novella)
A Hockey Tutor (New Adult Sports Romance)
Dart and Dash (New Adult Sports Romance)
Always Forever (New Adult Rocker Romance)
DREAM (Adult Romance Suspense)
The Matched Trilogy (Paranormal Romance Trilogy):
A Royal’s Love
A Protector’s Second Chance
A Controller’s Destiny
New Hampshire Bears Series (Adult Sports Romance)
The Muse and the Fairy Tale
The Workaholic and the Realist
The Hero and the Fat Girl
The Arrangement
The Coach and the Secret
The Captain and the Broken Girl
The Backup and the Baby
The Player and the Tattoo Artist (Coming Summer 2017)
The Goalie and the Best Friend’s Sister (Coming Fall 2017)
Books with author Lindsay Paige:
A Penalty Kill Trilogy (New Adult Sports Romance):
Breakaway
Off the Ice
Game Over
Our First Christmas (A Novella)
Oh Captain, My Captain Series (Adult Sports Romance)
Looking for You
A Hockey Player’s Proposal
Finding Carson Lee
Let’s Be Crazy
Their New Beginning
You and Me, Forever
Tainted
The Ninth Inning Series (Adult Sports Romance)
Felix
Blake
Hector
Trent
Jordan
Colby
Roman
Spencer
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