The wordruinlingers in the space between them, and I see it now. I see it so clearly. The level of manipulation and the way she exerts control over Cody. I mean, I knew, of course, that she’s a domineering parent, but witnessing it with my own eyes in real life is something else entirely. It’s almost as if my boyfriend transforms in front of my very eyes from the confident and authoritative player I see on the ice to a small, wounded animal crouching in on itself. And as realization dawns on me, I feel my composure slowly but surely crumble. I’m not a violent person and yes, I know I threatened to fuck Dennis up, but that was just me being mad and overprotective. But right now, there’s nothing I crave more than to rearrange this woman’s fake face. My fingers positively itch with the need to just mess her up. Butbeing in jail while Cody has surgery won’t do. So instead, I try to keep my tone of voice as calm and steady as possible.
“You’re not taking him anywhere,” I say, my eyes fixated on hers. “He’s not goinganywherewith you. He stays withmeand he’s having surgery in the morning.” And, of course, the queen herself ignores me. She blatantly ignores me.
“You’renothaving surgery, Cody,” she hisses between her teeth. “You know what that means, right, baby?” I want to rip off her head because she’s got some nerve strutting in here in her ugly-ass rhinestone boots and way too skinny jeans, calling my manbaby. She obviously didn’t get the memo. He’smybaby. “Six months in hockey might as well be a lifetime,” she pants. “If you have the surgery, they’ll drop you faster than you can spellloser. Then you’re finished. No team will pick you up. You’ll be worthless then. Worthless. Just like your father. No Manning ever accomplished anything.”Manning?
Something shifts inside Cody at that last part. I can tell because his shoulders slump and his bottom lip begins shaking. As fat tears start trailing down his cheeks and that word—that awful, hateful word—goes on repeat in my head, I reach the end of my patience. Worthless?Worthless?Cody isn’t worthless. He’s fuckingeverything!
“I think you should leave, ma’am. Cody needs his rest.” Her response is to laugh at me, shaking her head like I’m delusional.
Turning back to Cody, she coos, her voice sugary sweet, “Let’s go pack your stuff, baby.” Cody looks at me, panic written across his face, a silent plea in his eyes. And I just lose it. I fucking lose it like I lost it when Dennis targeted Cody—my Cody—the other night.
“I’m not gonna ask you again, lady. Please leave or I’ll throw you out…”on your fucking ass. I’m trembling, and I just know that any second the infamous lid is going to blow off the kettle.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” she huffs. “No one’s asking you, young man. I’m hismother. I know what’s best for Cody. Right, baby?” Cody remains frozen in his spot, his eyes still fixed on mine. I smile at him reassuringly, mouthingwe’ve got thisjust like I do countless times during a game. He tips his chin, just a fraction, but it’s like he’s determined to move a damn mountain if he has to. My baby looks so fierce when he tips his chin like that. It’s the same tip he throws our opponents on the ice when they come rushing toward him. It’s Cody’sbring it, I dare youtip.
“I’m having the surgery, Mom,” he says quietly. “I’m staying here with Luke and I’m having the surgery. And Daddidaccomplish something. He made me. And Danny. Your sons, Mom.I’ma Manning. I was never a Mitchell. I’m my father’s son.” His voice is unwavering, his gaze not leaving mine. I’m so proud of him. I know that in a few seconds, once his words register, all hell is going to break loose, but this moment is Cody’s and Cody’s alone. For the first time in maybe ever, he’s standing up to his mom, reclaiming a name that was apparently stolen from him. He’s putting himself first. It’s magnificent to behold and my heart just spills over with how much I care about him. His mom must sense it, too. The sheer determination in Cody’s voice telling her she’s about to lose this battle.
In a flash, she turns toward me, digging her finger at me, her eyes shooting daggers.
“You did this! You!” she thunders, her entire body shivering. “You’re going to ruin him!” she screams theatrically. Then she turns back toward Cody, her voice nothing but a low threat, “If you go ahead with that surgery. If you choosehimover your own mother, then you’re on your own.” She proceeds to brush her eyes, sobbing demonstratively. “After everything I’ve done for you, Cody. All my sacrifices. All the money I’ve spe—”
“I’m sorry, Mom, but I gotta do this.” Cody reaches awkwardly for her shoulder, but she pushes him away.
“I’m not having it! I’ll go to the courts. I’ll have you deemed un—” And that’s it. That’s the final straw. The lid is no more. It just blew right off. Threatening her own son inourapartment when he’s at his most vulnerable finally does it for me.
“Get the fuck outta here, lady, or I swear to God that I’ll throw you all the way back to fucking Arizona myself!” My voice is shaking, and I have to clench my fists forcefully to not make good on my threat this very second.
“How dare you talk to me like this!” she steps all the way up in my face, pushing out her chest. “I’m his mother!” she hisses. “Who areyou?”
“I’m his boyfriend,” I say quietly, as fury is replaced by disbelief on her face once my words register. Or at least, I think it is because with all the Botox she’s sporting, it’s hard to tell, really. “I’m the guy who loves your son more than anything and I’ll be damned if you’re gonna prance in here and tell him what to do. You nearly ruined his career once. I’m not gonna let you do it again. So, this is the last time I’ll be asking, lady. Please, get the hell out of my apartment,” I grit.
“You love me?” a soft voice fills the room and when I look up, I’m met with the most sparkling granite gray ever. I nod, shrugging, because this wasnotthe way I wanted to tell Cody that I love him. In a kitchen brawl with his mom. But I guess some things are difficult to plan.
“I do,” I grin stupidly, pushing past Cody’s mom, who’s been reduced to a nameless, faceless extra in our love story. “I so fucking do,” I laugh, grabbing both his cheeks when I reach him.
“I’ll call you later, Mom,” Cody manages to force out, his eyes swimming, pink flowers blooming across his cheeks, spreading down his neck.
“Yeah,Mom,” I call out over my shoulder. “He’ll call youafterthe surgery.”Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
“Don’t bother!” she spits. “You’re on your own now,” she points her finger warningly at Cody, her pink handbag swinging ominously from her arm, the wordsBoss Ladyspelled out in rhinestones on the front. “Don’t come crawling back when your career lies in ruins,” she yells, thetap-tap-tapof her retreating footsteps followed by a loudbangwhen she slams the door behind her.
“Luke,” Cody whispers.
“You’re not alone,” I say, leaning in, catching his lips between mine. He sighs into my mouth, shivering beneath the palms of my hands. “You’re not alone,” I repeat, pressing light kisses to the corner of his mouth and the tip of his chin. “You’ll never be alone again.” He chases my lips, smiling against them. He tastes of sadness over the loss of the only parent he had left, but he tastes of happiness too. He tastes of a future filled with more kisses, more victories, and moreI love yous.We just got to get out on the other side. Together.
“Did you mean it, Luke?” he speaks against my neck, his voice muffled. “That you love me?” I nod, breathing him in, filling my lungs to the brim with the sweetest scent in the world.
“I did,” I rasp. “I do. I love you, Cody.” His chest heaves against mine, his heart beating as he tilts his head, his gaze connecting with mine.
“I love you too, Luke. So very, very much.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Cody
He’s the last personI see before they take me off for surgery. His broad smile of encouragement sends me off with his repeated promise of ‘We’ve got this,’ and ‘I’ll see you soon, baby.’ And although I’m scared shitless, I don’t feel the usual anxiety pulling at me, turning my body inside out, spinning me out of control. It’s a strange feeling. Having someone in your corner like this. Someone who’s there for you unconditionally, no strings attached, with no hidden agenda. With my mom, there have always been strings. I’ve felt like a marionette all my life, moving around to her tune ofmore, better,andworthless.
Yesterday still has this surreal blur surrounding it; Luke telling my mom off, basically throwing her out of our condo. He pretty much stated his claim right in front of her. ‘I’m his boyfriend.’ And then, those words that have always seemed soimpossible and beyond my grasp: ‘I’m the guy who loves your son more than anything.’ At that moment, he was my fucking hero. Heismy hero. And he loves me. Luke loves me.
