Right?
Once again, I’m at war with myself because of this man. So, no, I don’t want to see him play. I don’t want to see him and his stupidly handsome face and those confusing eyes but then Emett’s groaning so loud, I came to see what all the fuss is about.
Yeah, that’s what I’m going to sell to my brain when it questions my decisions and thoughts.
The New York team is rolling around the ice like they own it, complete decimating the Outlaws on their own turf, and just another minute in, Severin extends his left arm out but it’s just a millisecond too late. The buzzer sounds with the small puck inside the net at the same time as a knock sounds on my front door.
A worried frown crosses my face, and Dad catches it, eyeing the door. We didn’t invite anyone over. Stella never knocks and Betsy is off today.
Aaron wouldn’t be back so soon, would he? Damn it. See, I knew I should be home today.
I untangle myself from Emett, leaving him with Dad to watch and stride over to the front door. Making sure the safety chain is still on, I open it slightly but it’s not Aaron on my doorstep.
“Can I help you?” I ask an older gentleman with graying hair, wearing a construction uniform.
“Hello there, are you Aurora Johnson?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Mike from Comfort Home, we’re here to replace your window”
“My window?” I frown.
“Mm-hmm, it says it was broken yesterday, is that right?”
“No. I mean, yes. Yes, it was broken but…I’m sorry, there must be a mistake because I haven’t called anybody about it.”
“Oh, yeah, he calls that (beep) memorable! IT WASN’T!!!”Comes another shout from the TV, and my son groans.
“Let me guess, the Outlaws are playing?” the man at my door asks, sighing.
“Um, yes.”
“Those guys need to pull their heads out of their asses.” He shakes his head. “Mind letting us in? It shouldn’t take more than half an hour.”
I close the door, unlock the chain and open it once more. “I’m sorry to waste your time but there must’ve been some kind of mix-up, because I really haven’t called anyone to fix it.”
“Well, someone did.” Mike turns his iPad over to show me the contract. “And if it was a mistake, well, then I guess joke’s on them because it’s all paid for already…so, want a new window for free?”
What is it with all these unexpected deliveries today? I frown, feeling completely lost. Up until now, I thought maybe it was Aaron playing jokes on us, but he’d never pay for anything. The goodness of his heart doesn’t extend to us.
Jesus…it’s Stella, isn’t it? That woman…I told her I’d take care of it last night. The company’s already here, so I guess I’ll just pay her back—we do need a new window after all.
I step aside, letting them in. “It’s in the living room.”
Mike and another guy step inside, greeting Emett and Dad as they check out the damage and get to work.
I’m set on watching the men work because my trust is fragile these days but yet another buzzer from the TV pulls my attention away from them.
Severin tips his head up as the camera flashes between their coach and Outlaws goalie who stands frozen on his spot. The small, black puck laying unmoving in the back of his net.
“Oh, damn it,” Mike curses silently, watching the screen from his working spot with a scowl.
“Mommy,” Emett whispers. “I think Mr. Brick is going to be on a biggg time out.” He sighs, heartbroken for his favorite goalie.
I run my fingers through his dark stands. “I’m sure he’ll be all right. Sometimes we have those bad days, you know? It’s an important lesson for when you’ll be playing in the NHL one day. We don’t always win, but what matters is learning from your mistakes and doing better next time.”
Emett nods pensively as if his four-year-old mind understands everything the way I meant it. After a moment of that pensive silence, he deadpans, “We need to get him a lucky charm. The guy needs it.”
