My phone buzzes on the table. I pick it up quickly, in case it’s a message from Avalon, but once I do, I seeDeclanacross the top of the screen.
“Hmm.” I stare at the message on my screen.
“What’s up?”
“I don’t know. Declan said his mom wants to take us all out to dinner.”
“Maybe she heard that your mom’s coming home.”
“He sent it in the group chat with the guys,” I continue, “so I think he means all of us.”
I start to tell Declan I can’t make it to dinner, but it’s almost like Marcus can read me.
“Go, man. We can get a drink another time.”
“Why don’t you come?” I ask. “I doubt they’d care. And I know Mrs. Sanderson would love to see you.”
“If they don’t mind, I’d love to tag along.” He jumps off the stool, poking my arm. “Why don’t you invite that lady friend of yours? I think we’d all love to meet her.”
I roll my eyes as I get off the stool and shove a chuckling Marcus out the door.
It’s about time.” My mom crosses her arms, “I never liked that, Thomas Sanderson.”
“I still feel bad for Declan. I understand why he’s been off since the summer. I think part of him was hoping this would’ve happened sooner.”
“I tried to get her to leave that asshat years ago,” my mom continues. “I always told Cheryl she was too good for him.”
“Mom!” I chuckle. “You did not say that to her.”
“I did.” She smiles like it’s the greatest thing she’s ever done. “She came to visit me after I just got out of the hospital and told me that she thought Thomas was sleeping with another woman, and I told her she should leave him.”
“Was he sleeping with another woman?” I rest my elbows on my knees, leaning forward.
I know that’s what led to the recent breakup. After dinner the other night, Declan told me and the guys he found his dad cheating on his mom before our first hockey game. That’s why he was late. And that he hoped it would be the push his mom needed to leave his dad.
After talking with Declan, I realized that a lot of his attitude since the beginning of the school year made more sense now that we were aware of what was happening.
“I don’t know. Cheryl never brought it up to me again. And she never left him, so.” She shrugs. “I think part of her was scared of what would happen to Brinley and Declan if she tried to leave him. He was never the kindest dad, and they were still in high school. She didn’t want to lose them to him.”
“It sucks that she didn’t have another out.”
“Yeah, but now that Declan’s a witness to the cheating, her out is going to lead to a lot of money.”
“What do you mean?”
“They have a prenup. I think Thomas wanted it to protect his assets when he thought he was going to the NHL, but there’s a cheating clause. If she has proof of cheating, she can pretty much take him for all that he’s worth.”
“Well, I hope she does.”
There’s a knock on the door, and I turn expecting to see Avalon, who borrowed my car to pick up our dinner, but I don’t. Instead, I see Ember.
“Hi.” She rests against the door frame with a smile. “I was just on shift and thought I’d swing by.”
“On-shift?” I lean back, crossing my arms.
“Oh, Ember’s been volunteering at the hospital,” my mom replies. “Ever since you brought her here, she’s been here most weekends.”
“I usually come on weekends that you guys are out of town for a game, so your mom has someone to hang out with. But I decided to pick up a few more volunteering days. It’s nice to visit people who don’t have family to come visit them.”