“Good try!”I yelled back.
Erik waved beside me, and Arne, with incredible confidence, scraped and slid his way back to where the kids were gathered around the adults.I sat back down and took a sip of my coffee.
“I never stood a chance, did I?”
I looked sideways at Erik.“What do you mean?”He hadn’t really wanted us to get back together, had he?
Erik had been surprisingly supportive of Arne and I moving to Toronto.It helped that he had a part in a movie shooting here.Since he was one of the leads, it meant he’d be in the city for a couple of months before he returned to Los Angeles.The two of us moving to Toronto gave him more time with Arne, but I wasn’t surprised that some resentment had built up, since when I’d finally left my family, I’d gone to Justin.
Erik waved at the ice.“Hockey.A six-year-old was going to be more impressed by that than the craft services table on a TV shoot.”
I let out my breath.If he’d wanted to argue that our marriage would never have survived because of my feelings for Justin…well, he was probably right.I’d honestly thought I’d gotten over Justin before I’d slept with Erik.I’d continued to believe it, until Justin came back.
But right now my life was better than I ever imagined it could be and I was happy to reassure Arne’s father.“Hockey is new, and having all these professional players around doesn’t hurt.But he might not love it.Maybe he’ll become a drama kid in high school.”
I’d be happy if that happened.I still had concerns about the danger in hockey.Arne was wearing the most expensive helmet a kid his size could get.
Erik perked up at the thought.“True.Meanwhile, as long as he’s happy, that’s the important thing, right?”
I agreed and hoped this positive mind-set would continue.Erik was dating one of his costars and she was a hockey fan, so right now he didn’t even mind that hockey was getting so much of Arne’s attention.Training camp for the Blaze would begin shortly and that meant more change, but Arne had started school in Toronto and so far, loved it.Justin and I had time to make him a priority before the grind of the season began.
One of the adults blew a whistle and the kids started their scrimmage again.Erik turned sideways and gave me his attention.“So how are you liking Toronto?First time out of BC, right?”
I hoped that wasn’t a dig because I hadn’t traveled anywhere.“It’s different, but people have been very kind.”
Very.Even though Justin and I were…new at whatever you would call what we were doing—re-dating?Starting over?We were a little past the girlfriend/boyfriend label.The wives and girlfriends of the other players had bent over backward to help us.With their help we’d gotten Arne into a good school, they shared the best places to shop, and organized playdates so he got to know some of the other hockey kids.
I’d been invited into their gatherings.While Justin was busy with team things, Arne and I had people to visit.It was strange, in the best way.
It had been hard for Arne to say good-bye to Barney, but they did a video call every week, and Barney wanted to know all about the hockey players.I’d promised we’d have Barney out to visit on a school break to see a hockey game, and Barney and Tonya were thrilled.
Erik nudged me.“And your family?”
I shook my head.“Justin is paying for someone to come in during the week to help with Mom, but other than that, nothing.”He’d done it to relieve my mind, so I wouldn’t worry about my mother.It was a relief to know she was taken care of, but there’d been no reconciling.
Bruce said I was ungrateful and would have nothing to do with me.Mom sent me messages in secret to keep me updated but never apologized for taking advantage of me.Cora rarely came back to the house, and once Dorian was done riding with the long-distance truckers for the summer, he’d been forced to help out around the house more.He and Bruce fought a lot, and Mom was unhappy.She said she missed me and asked when we might move back to BC.
Some of that must have shown on my face.Erik asked, “Are you okay?”
Justin insisted I talk to someone, a therapist, like he was, and it was helping.It would take a long time to get over the guilt, but every time I looked at Arne, I knew I’d had to leave.
“I’m getting there.And since it’s better for Arne?That helps me stay strong.”
“Don’t forget I’m picking him up tomorrow.”
“I won’t.”
Erik and I had worked out visitation terms, and they were set out in a legal document.He was entitled to so many days with Arne each year, but he had to give notice and get my approval.He still thought it wasn’t necessary, but I never wanted Arne to be taken and not have the full benefit of the law to get him back.
For tomorrow, Erik had given me ample notice, and Justin and I would have time to be together as partners without Arne.I loved my kid, but I was looking forward to that.I had plans.
A whistle blew again and we turned our attention to the ice.Arne snagged the puck and managed to get it into the net.Erik and I stood and cheered.
After, Erik bumped me with his shoulder.“Maybe he’ll become a professional hockey player and support me in my old age.”
I sighed.Not my dream for Arne, but what was important was what his dream was.“Maybe you’ll keep busy acting and put him through med school.”
Erik laughed.“Isn’t that what you’re doing?”