Page 71 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“You’re going to resign tomorrow because your only focus is going to be this house and the diner that brings in those fat tips while you flirt with sleazy, old men like the little whore you are.”

“You can’t make me quit my job.”

“Either way, he’s not going back. I revoke my permission. In fact, maybe I’ll just remove you from all school drop-offs and pick-ups.”

“Oh, and what? You’re going to start being a mother again?” Apparently, my frustration had thrown every ounce of my self-preservation out the window.

My vision blurred as another slap landed. I threw my hands up to shield my head, already knowing a bruise was forming from the way my cheek throbbed.

She rained down a few more blows before driving her foot into my ribs.

Pain exploded through my side and I groaned, wishing I would have kept my damn mouth shut.

“Get your ass in your room. You have to be at work in the morning, and I expect extra tips this week.”

I’d barely started to move when I heard the refrigerator door slam open.

“Who the fuck told you to buy all this food?” she screamed after me.

I ignored her as I wrapped one arm around my ribs and headed for my room. Gavin peeked out of his door, eyes full of tears.

There was nothing I could do to ease his worries tonight.

Everything hurt too much and I held far too much guilt for letting it escalate like this tonight.

“I’m so sorry,” I rasped as I walked past him.

Unable to offer him any reassurance, I stumbled into my room and collapsed onto the bed. The television was blaring loud enough from the living room to shake the walls.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed before my bedroom door creaked open. Gavin’s quiet footsteps padded across the floor before he climbed into my bed. His forehead pressed against my back. I could feel him shaking.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

My heart shattered. He had nothing to be sorry for.

“Don’t apologize,” I whispered back.

My own tears slipped down my face, stinging against my swollen cheek.

“It doesn’t matter that I have to give up hockey.” His voice cracked. “But if I have to give it up anyway... why can’t we just leave?”

“Because Mom has contacts in multiple states.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue. “Their faces are recognizable. She’d put on a campaign and plaster us in every news source that would listen. We’d be hunted.”

“I’ll do classes online. We’ll get fake identities.”

My chest tightened. “I’m sorry.”

I’d never stop trying to find a way out for us. But for now, I had to play by her rules.

“Are you really going to ghost them?”

“I have to, Gavin.”

“You can’t.” He let out a quivering breath, fighting his own tears now. “That’s the only time I’ve ever seen you look happy.”

The sob tore out of me before I could stop it. His arms wrapped around me as tightly as they could. The brother I promised to protect held me while I fell apart.

I wished with everything I had that our lives could have been different. That we’d found a way to break free of this curse.