The forecast has changed, and it looks like we’ll be getting a big dump of the white stuff. In fact, it now says that by Christmas Day, we might be totally snowed in. Hmm. An extra-white Christmas, I guess. That’ll be kind of nice.
I slide my phone back into my pocket and try to concentrate on staying in the moment. The feel of the cold, crisp air against my face, the way the snowflakes stick on my winter coat. The soft shushing sound as I trudge through the couple of inches already on the ground. I’ve always liked the way snow deadens the sound of everything. I don’t really believe in a higher power, but there is something sacred about a fresh snowfall.
I walk for a while, the white stuff starting to pile up at the edges of the streets. It’s coming down faster now, and for a few minutes, I just breathe, liking the way the cold air feels in my nose. I stand transfixed before the streetlight, watching the snow fall.
I don’t know how long I’ve been standing there when it hits me like a tidal wave: What am I doing? I’ve never felt a connection to anyone like I do to Aleks. What am I doing walking away from that? I’m not romantic enough to believe that there’s someone out there for everyone. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt thatnoteveryone finds a person, and fewer still find their “right” person. I know what Aleks and I have is new, and there are so many strikes against us, so many forces that will make it difficult to succeed, but what I realize, standing there under that streetlight, is that none of that matters. There’s no guarantee that it will work out, but I’d be a damn fool to walk away from what we have without at least trying.
I turn and jog back to Mom’s condo quickly, not wanting to waste time; I have plans to make. I chuckle, thinking of the old movieWhen Harry Met Sally. There’s a line in there at the end, when Harry’s racing across the city on New Year’s Eve to tell Sally he loves her, that’s always stuck with me. It’s something about realizing that when you figure out you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start right away, and that’s exactly how I’m feeling. I don’t know how I’m going to make it happen, but I’m going to find a way for Aleks and me to be together.
After a quick goodbye to my family, I head home. I’ve made the decision to try and get Aleks back, but truthfully, I don’t have a plan for how that’s going to happen yet. I know I want to do something special, something that will make it clear how serious I am about him. I haven’t returned the Boston University paperwork yet. I can still stay here in Seattle with Aleks, and if that’s what it takes, I’m going to do it.
I haven’t been home too long when my phone rings, a number I don’t recognize coming up on the screen.
“Hello, this is Ben,” I answer.
“Ben Jacobs. This is Kent Warren calling,” says the voice, and I nearly drop my phone in shock.
“Kent… Ah… Hello…”
“Hi, Ben,” he says, sounding strangely nervous. “Look, ah, I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m calling you, so I’ll get to the point. I owe you an apology. I had a conversation with my son, and, um, I’ve been doing some thinking.” Kent clears his throat. Meanwhile, I’m still too surprised to do anything more than grunt in response. “I should never have stuck my nose where it didn’t belong and tried to stop your helmet safety project. That, ah… that was not appropriate. I was letting my personal feelings get involved. It wasn’t my place to interfere, and I’m very sorry. For what it’s worth, I’ve already spoken with Carson Wells and apologized to him also. And I mentioned I spoke to Aleks too. I won’t be in your way any longer with your project.”
“Oh,” I said, still stunned but thankful I’d recovered enough by that point to at least acknowledge the man. “I, um… This is a surprise, Kent, but thank you for the apology. I appreciate that.”
He clears his throat before continuing. “Good. Well, ah, there’s more. Um. So, Aleks told me that you two have been seeing each other, and, well, he didn’t give me any details or anything, but he said you and he were, um, that you had decided it would be better to… not continue your relationship, and part of that reason is my fault.” He pauses. “I’m so sorry about that. Truly. I just want what’s best for my son, even though my behavior hasn’t really shown that. But, um, I’m getting a little off track here. I wanted to tell you I just spoke with your stepdad for the first time in a very long time.”
“What?” My jaw drops. He was just talking to Bob? He must have called right after I left.Holy shit.
“Yeah. I can understand your surprise.” His chuckle is self-deprecating. “But your stepfather was unbelievably gracious. He was much kinder than I deserve after my behavior for all these years.” Kent’s voice sounds grave now, and he sniffles, clearly emotional.
“Wow. Well, Bob’s a good man. I’m glad you were able to speak to him.”
“I’m very glad and so grateful he would even take my call. Um, but anyway, Bob and Lily are going to come to our house tomorrow for brunch. Elaina, my wife, is very excited to see them both again. And then, I’m having a gathering of NHL people. It’s an annual Christmas party thing, and I was hoping you might join us since you’re working so hard to make the game safer for everyone. And, well, Aleks will be here also.”
Suddenly, I know exactly how I’m going to show Aleks how much he means to me. “Yeah, Kent, thank you. I’d love to come to the Christmas party.”
Chapter 25
BEN
ChristmasEvedawnsbrightand sunny. It’s cold and crisp, and with the snow already on the ground, the sunshine is blinding. It’s unusually cold for Seattle, still not warm enough for the snow to melt, so we haven’t entered that icky, slushy phase where there’s no way to step outside without getting wet feet. I called my parents after speaking to Kent Warren last night, and sure enough, they said they were planning to have brunch with the Warrens and to stay for the first little bit of the party so Bob could see some of his old friends but would probably leave early. My parents asked if I wanted to join them for brunch, but I decided that would be better as a more private gathering. It seemed like Kent might have more he wants to say to Bob.
I’m nervous as fuck, but I asked Declan to come with me to the party for moral support. Fortunately, he was available since it appears his new relationship with Chloe may have burned itself out, although I’ll need to talk to him about that when I can concentrate better.
As we pull up to the spacious mansion overlooking Lake Washington, golden light spills out the windows, and the place looks like something out of a movie, with a thirty-foot tall noble fir tree adorned with white twinkle lights and elegant red bows standing tall next to the winding driveway.
Walking inside, Dec and I are both bowled over by how beautiful it is. It feels like it’s on par with a tech billionaire’s mansion. “Whoa, this is something else,” I murmur to Dec, whose eyes are wide as he takes everything in.
“Yeah, no shit. I knew Warren did well with investments after he retired, but holy shit. This place is incredible.”
There are a lot of people here already, and everyone is dressed casually in jeans and maybe the odd pair of khakis. It’s a sharp contrast to the formality of the décor, but it’s kind of nice. Like you can admire the stunning home and its décor, but you can be relaxed and comfortable as you’re doing it. It makes the house and the people seem more accessible and real. I wonder if Aleks likes this annual tradition.
To the right of the entryway, the two-story great room has floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out onto an enormous back deck, where heat lamps are keeping the temperature comfortable enough that people can step outside for a breath of fresh air and check out the gorgeous view of moonlight shimmering across the lake. Another massive tree trimmed with intricate crystal ornaments that catch the light is the focal point of the big room, and I spot several current NHL stars already gathered with drinks in hand. A huge river-rock fireplace flanked by built-in bookcases takes up one whole wall, and the firelight spills out into the room, casting a warm and friendly glow.
The sweeping grand staircase is draped with garlands of fragrant fir and more twinkling lights. Dec and I make our way downstairs to a media room, where classic NHL game footage plays across a cinema-sized screen. I spot several current rookies, most of them young guys from Europe, battling it out at pool and foosball tables. Laughter and the sounds of Christmas music echo off the dark wood-beamed ceilings down here, and there’s another terrace off this room, complete with more heat lamps that create enough warmth that people can sit outside in cozy lounge chairs, complete with soft blankets perfect for cuddling underneath. This room sports another beautiful tree, this one decorated with red and gold ornaments, and the whole effect is stunning.
Declan and I circulate for a while, but I’m starting to get restless as I haven’t spotted Aleks yet. But I’m assuming Kent would have said something to me if he wasn’t going to be here, as he knows what I have planned for a bit later.
We spot my parents, who are happy to see Declan since it’s been a while, and Dec is blown away at how much better Bob looks. It makes me feel good that it’s not just us who’s noticing the big difference his new medication seems to be making. It’s fucking wonderful. My heart clenches, and even though I know being with Aleks is what I want more than anything in the world, I hope we can figure out a way for me to take over the Boston University lab. It’s almost like a miracle, watching how much science has helped my dad. I fucking love it.
