I turn to see what the commotion is about. The guys are cheering Tate on as he waits in position with one Santa boot up on the stool, for Emalyn to get the shot. I shake my head in disbelief when he puts his hands behind his head and rolls his hips like he’s channelling his inner magic mike.
The stands go wild and some are recording on their phones.
That’ll be viral for sure.
He quickly gets back to the shoot with the pose Emalyn had him in, professionalism taking over. His eyes jump over to me. I swear I see an actual blush cross his cheeks when he realizes I was watching.
I fight back a smile.
“Allison? Did you hear me?” TJs voice is clearer now that he’s irritated.
“No, sorry, what?”
“I said I need you to take Hudson on my weekends for the next two weeks. There is justno wayI could watch him while I feel this bad.” He explains.
I hear a giggle in the background.
“And next week? What’s the reason there?” I try to tamper down my impatience. I really do, but I feel the steam coming out of my ears. Thiscould’ve been a text, but he wants to put on a show for whatever woman is in his bed currently.
“Well, I have plans. I’m going to catch a separate flight from the team plane and fly back Sunday night instead.”
“Okay. Why?” I intentionally put him on the spot.
“Oh, it’s just... somethingreallyimportant. Uh, sponsorship.” He says slowly. Obviously, he’s wanting someone on his end of the line to hear the double meaning. I don’t care to be a part of the foreplay.
“TJ.” It comes out as an exhausted sigh. “Why make up the excuses? If you’re not going to follow through on the plans you make with your son, why make them in the first place? It’s like you don’t even want to be his dad.”
“I mean… Shit, Allison.” I hear him tell the woman in his bed he’ll be right back, and the click of a door before his voice returns. “We were really young when we had him. We didn’t plan for it.”
His words cut me deep.
It was me that made the sacrifices though. I was the one who had to work to support us while he chased his college hockey career.
Sure, it paid off when he made it to the NHL, but I was alone in that marriage from the beginning.
My chest rises and falls heavily with each breath as his words throw a spark on the flame of rage I had kept buried.
“I just think I would have chosen differently if it had been my choice back then.”
“Neither of us chose to become parents in college, TJ. Are you kidding me? But I could never regret having Hudson.”
“Well… I do.”
What a douchebag. I can’t even fight the tears. They spill over and I curse myself for not wearing the waterproof mascara.
“Then let’s be done with it. You’re not making your child support and you’re not visiting. It’s hurting him more to know you and see you chose everything but him. He deserves more than that.”
“Of course, you’re going to make me the villain for telling you how I feel.”
“Because I just can’t believe it.” My breath comes out shaky.
“Look, just tell him I have work.” His voice is exasperated. “He wouldn’t hate me if you stopped poisoning him against me.”
“He doesn’t hate you. You just let him down at every turn and I won’t cover for you. I won’t foster any false hope.” I bite my lip to keep from crying. “You aren’t the one who has to watch him wait by the door for hours.”
He starts to say something else, but I pretend my boss is calling me and hang up.
I just start walking. I can’t stay here today after the bomb he just dropped on me.
