“The jerkoff may have been right,” I lower my head half an inch more, and now my lips are near her ear.I reach out, and our fingers brush where her hand is dangling by her side.“I think maybe when I get done with this road trip, we might have to talk about that.”
“Lo!”Landon’s voice cuts through the air like a knife.“I have to go shower.But I wanted you to know I have a car ordered to get you and Randie to the airport.It’ll be at Mom’s tomorrow at eight.”
Lola steps away from me and nods, taking Randie out of her brother’s arms.“Thanks.We’ll be ready.”
She glances at me over her shoulder.“See you in Maine, Theo.Have a great return to Vegas.”
I nod and head to the locker room.I’m suddenly looking forward to Vegas, but not as much as getting home and talking things out with Lola.I feel like I’m finally getting my footing in this new life of mine.And maybe this new life will involve a girlfriend… if Lola will have me.
Chapter23
Theo
Iwake up in my Vegas hotel room feeling uneasy.I didn’t sleep great either.I knew being back in this town would feel weird, but I didn’t realize how surreal it would be.I’m not going to the house I called home for five years.I’m in a hotel room on the strip, which is not something I’ve ever done sober.
Everything about Vegas is boozy.From the way they let you walk around anywhere with an open beverage, to the free booze in casinos, to the way they decorate the hotel rooms.My current room has purple-and-gold wallpaper, which makes it feel like I’m inside a Crown Royal bag, which reminds me of whiskey.There’s a faint itch to drink, which is a lot more than I’ve had since getting out of rehab, so I get up early and head to a meeting.I wasn’t sleeping anyway, and it’s better than staring at the walls of a room that reminds me of whiskey.
The closest meeting I can find is at a community center off the strip, near the old Hard Rock Casino.So after a stop at Starbucks, because the coffee at these things usually tastes like motor oil, I hop in an Uber and ten minutes later I walk into the center as they’re setting up the last of the chairs.
“Theo?”
My head snaps around, and I see Mila from rehab, standing by the snack table holding a box of donuts.I grin.“Holy crap!Hey!”
She drops the donuts on the table and rushes toward me with open arms.I accept the hug.I don’t think I’ve ever hugged her, but it feels nice.Like she’s one of my million cousins.When she lets go and steps back, she smiles at me excitedly.“This is crazy!I thought you moved.”
“I did.I live in Maine now,” I say, and realize I said I would stay in touch but didn’t.To be fair, I gave my email out to a few people in rehab, including Mila, and I haven’t heard from anyone either.“I play for the team there, but we’re on a road trip.”
“You’re still in hockey!That’s so fuck—freaking—great!”She claps her hands, and one of the people who was setting up the chairs looks over and frowns.Mila throws her an apologetic smile.“And you’re still working the program, which is also great.No slips?”
Her smile disappears, and she looks almost anxious.I shake my head.“None.It’s had its overwhelming moments, because I underestimated how new every little thing would feel, but I finally feel like I’m in the new normal, and I like it.”
She reaches out and squeezes my arms again.She seems really pleased for me.
“And you?How are things?Any bumps?Why are you in Vegas?I thought you were going back to Los Angeles when you got out?”
“I did for a few weeks, but a friend of my dad’s had an opening here at one of the shows,” she says.“I’m a coordinator on Cirque.Well, an assistant coordinator.Still learning.But it’s great.”
“Working on the strip isn’t too tempting?”I can’t help but ask.“I’ve been in my strip hotel twelve hours, and I’m a little on edge.”
She shakes her head and waves a hand in the air.“Nah.I mean, I do come here a lot.I had a slight stumble back in LA when I first got out.It’s probably better being here honestly.I work so much and have no life, so no chance to slip.”
People are filing in now and taking their seats.She glances over her shoulder and smiles at me again.“I have to finish setting up the refreshment table.But let’s catch up more later.After the meeting.”
“I have to leave right after for team breakfast and morning skate, then I play later tonight,” I say, and an idea hits me.“You wanna come to the game?I can get you tickets.”
She looks defeated.“I work.But maybe we can meet up after your game?Let me give you my number.”
She gives me her number, and I call her so she has mine ,and then she walks back to the refreshment table, and I find a seat at the back of the rows of chairs.The meeting goes well, and I even share a bit, which I haven’t done since rehab.I talk about the shift recently, how I found pieces of me that I used to think only existed when I was drunk.After a quick hug to Mila, I leave feeling pretty good.
Back at the hotel, I join the team for breakfast and sit at a table with Callan, Landon, and Grady.Everyone is upbeat, including me.It was a surprise to run into Mila.She looked great and seemed so happy.If she could finally beat her demons, then I could too.
A bunch of guys are walking to the arena for the morning skate instead of taking the team bus.It makes sense because the strip traffic is always a nightmare, and our hotel is just half a block down on the opposite side of the street.The weather, as almost always, is glorious.So I join the rest of them and walk with them.Callan is regaling us with his adventures from last night.He and some of the other guys went out and ended up at White Castle with a bachelorette party at one in the morning.Apparently, they werethis closeto convincing the maid of honor to marry Redov, and they all almost got wolf pack tattoos, even the girls.
The story sounds almost familiar because I’ve spent many a night doing stupid shit on this road as well.I don’t miss it.
“How do you seem so fresh after all that?”Grady wants to know.
“Because I drank two light beers the entire night,” Callan says, grinning proudly.He slows his gait, and we all do too, so Redov can catch up, and then he leans over and declares in a voice that’s way too loud, “Didn’t want to be puking on the ice at morning skate!”
