A Hockey Tutor (16 page)

I didn’t say anything as the waiter set our drinks in front of us. When he left, I didn’t look at my dad. I wasn’t sure what to say.

“I miss you, too, Dad.” I had to be honest. “Don’t worry about the partying so much. I promise you it’s not as bad as you think.” I saw my father’s face relax a bit.

“I loved your mother, more than anything in this world. She was my best friend, and losing her was like a piece of my soul being taken from me. It took me a long time to get out of bed, and function. Because of that, our relationship suffered. I wasn’t being the dad I should have been. I’m sorry, Andrew.”

I felt the tears building as let my father’s words sink in. Even though I knew that it was hard on him when Mom died, I hadn't realized how bad it had become. Nothing was said between the three of us, but I knew deep down that my mother wouldn't want Dad and me to grow apart because she was gone.

“I’m sorry, too, Dad. I shouldn’t have caused you so much trouble, or money, trying to be some bad-ass hockey player.” A small smile appeared on my dad’s face.

It was silent for a few minutes as our confessions hung in the air. Uncle Mike was the one who broke the tension. “I’m very glad that I was here to witness this. I know that Michelle would be very happy about this.”

I glanced at Dad, and I could that hearing Mom’s name was still hard for him. However, I knew that we could be a family again.

“Now, I would really like a steak, since Brian is paying.” Uncle Mike shook the menu.

The three of us busted into laughter.

Chapter 21 – Katie

I had over thirty photos spread out on my bed. My project was coming up quicker than I wanted and I needed to focus on it. I had been spending so much time with Andrew that I was losing track of my photography class. But I didn’t want to give up a moment of time with Andrew.

Thanksgiving was one week away, and the end of the term wasn’t far behind that. The North Maple Bears were still number one in the conference, and Andrew had another shutout. The NHL scouts were watching him closely, and I knew he was growing more nervous about it.

I kept up with our study sessions, and he was continuing to do well in his classes. The weekly progress reports to Mr. Moore became a little mundane because there wasn’t much to say, but I kept sending them.

My mom had called more and more this past week, making sure that I was going to be home for Thanksgiving. They hadn’t seen me since I left in August, and I knew she was missing me. I was actually looking forward to going home. Maybe it was because it was the first time I would get to tell my mom I was in love.

“You look hot in those shorts.” I looked up to see Andrew leaning on my doorframe.

“Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to have a long practice.”

“Well,” he said, coming into my room and kneeling beside my bed, “we were, but Coach let us go early. More importantly, why haven’t you worn these more often?” He tugged at the hem of my shorts, and kissed my knee.

“Don’t distract me. I need to get some work done.” I pushed his hot lips away from my leg.

“No you don’t,” he said, jumping to his feet. “Come on, we’re celebrating tonight.”

“And what are we celebrating?” I asked.

“The semester is close to being over, hockey is in full swing, and I’ve had three shutouts. Plus . . . I want you to spend some time with my dad.”

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that last part?” I crossed my arms.

“My dad’s in town for tomorrow night’s game, and I would like for us to have dinner with him,” he explained.

I bit down on my lip, unsure of what to do. “I don’t know, Andrew. I mean, technically, he’s my boss and I’m not supposed to be dating you, remember?”

Andrew tugged me off the bed and wrapped his arms around my waist. “You know, my dad never said anything about a relationship between you and me.”

I thought for a moment about the meeting, so long ago. “Okay, so he didn’t exactly say the words, but there is a moral code.”

“There is?” Andrew’s face scrunched up in mock confusion.

“Shut up,” I said, slapping his shoulder. “You know there is.”

Andrew chuckled. “Okay, come on and just be my girlfriend tonight.” My heart fluttered at the word. “No tutoring, no nothing. Just come and be Katie.”

I thought it over. I wasn’t sure this was the brightest idea, but I conceded. “Fine, but if I get fired—”

“You won’t,” he cut me off.

“Well,” I continued, “if I do, and I have to pay back that money, I’m making you pay it.” I poked my finger into his chest.

“Deal.” He leaned in and kissed me. “Now get ready. We’re going to the Capital Grille. I’ll be back in an hour to pick you up.” He winked as he walked out of my bedroom.

I gathered my photos and put them back in the folder. I stood in front of my closet and began to panic. The Capital Grille? I had nothing nice enough to wear to the Capital Grille.

“Lindsay!” I yelled through the apartment.

“Yeah!” she yelled back to me.

I went to her bedroom. She was at her desk, working on some homework. “What’s up?”

“I’m going out with Andrew and his dad, and I have nothing to wear. Can I raid your closet?” I begged, clasping my hands together.

“Of course.” Lindsay pointed over to her door.

I slid the door back, and stared at the huge wardrobe. Flipping through hanger after hanger, I had almost given up hope of finding anything. Then I hit the jackpot.

It was a slinky black dress with long sleeves. It had a beautiful lace overlay, and when I pulled it out, it shimmered in the light.

“Hey, do you mind?” I held the dress up.

“Not at all, have fun.” She put her glasses back on and went back to her homework.

I took the dress and went to the bathroom. I needed to hurry.

**

I double-checked myself in the mirror as Lindsay answered the door. I walked out to see Andrew in a black suit with a red dress shirt.

He looked me up and down. “Wow,” he breathed out. I had smoothed the dress out and paired it with purple heels. I had put my hair up in a low bun, applied my makeup a little darker than usual.

“Guess you like what you see?” I picked up my purple clutch. “Are you ready?”

He nodded, and I saw him swallow down his desire to shred this dress. He helped me put on my dress jacket, and we strolled out to the car.

Once we were in the car, Andrew leaned over and kissed me. “You’re stunning. I can’t wait to get you out of that dress.”

I bit down on my lip. I couldn’t wait for him to get me out of this dress, , too.

Andrew drove downtown, and there was a valet service. He helped me out of the car, but I was shaking I was so nervous.

“Stop worrying. It’s not like this is the first time you’ve met him.” Andrew whispered in my ear as we walked into the lobby of the building.

“Shut up. I should have had a couple more Tequila shots before coming here.” I had to do two of them as soon as I got out of the shower because I was shaking so bad.

“Oh that would be smart, babe, because being drunk and having dinner with my dad is such a great combination.”

I couldn’t help but smile. He called me “babe.”

Andrew told the hostess his name, and we followed her to the back of the restaurant. Gold glittered everywhere; the silverware, the rims of the glasses, and even the napkin rings. My mouth went dry as I said a silent prayer that I wouldn’t break anything. I saw Mr. Moore sitting at the far corner of the last table, on the phone. He wore a black suit, like Andrew’s, with a green dress shirt. When he appeared at the hockey game, I wasn’t sure what to say to him. Fortunately, we were both focused on the game.

“Katie, so nice to see you again.” He had hung up the phone, and kissed my cheek.

“Mr. Moore, very nice to see you again as well,” I said formally. Andrew helped me with my jacket and pulled out my chair.

Andrew sat next to me. “How about a drink?” He started to pour me some wine, but I pinched his leg. I was only nineteen, and I wasn’t old enough to drink, no matter what my fake ID said. “Oh, right, sparkling water for you.”

I heard Mr. Moore chuckling under his breath. He obliviously knew I drank, but I didn’t want him to get the wrong impression of me.

“Katie, I have to say how impressed I am with you and how you got the grades up so quickly for Andrew,” Mr. Moore said.

“That was all Andrew,” I said, taking a small sip of my water to keep my voice from cracking. “He has been working so hard this semester.”

Andrew squeezed my hand as a thank you. I was telling the truth. Between his hockey schedule, our study sessions, and our “alone time,” I didn’t know how he had time to sleep.

“I am still glad to hear that, considering how much money I gave this damn school to keep those grades under wraps until midterms.” He took a large gulp from his wine glass.

I looked at Andrew, and his eyes were closed. Maybe I heard him wrong. “Wait, what?”

Before Mr. Moore could answer, Andrew cut him off. “Dad, stop talking, please.”

He looked at me, then at Katie’s shocked express. “What, didn’t you tell her?”

“No, Dad, I didn’t tell her anything,” Andrew confirmed.

He lied. Andrew had lied to me. He used his money to hide his grades to make sure he remained eligible to play. That was the push for midterms. It all made sense now.

“Excuse me,” I said, throwing my napkin down onto the table and getting up. I was not going to spend another minute with Andrew or his father. I grabbed my jacket and raced out of the building and into the snowy night.

I welcomed the cold air. I needed it because I felt like I was smoldering right now. I turned to my left, pulled my coat tight around me, and started walking as fast as my heels would let me.

“Katie!” I was about a block away when I heard Andrew yell my name. “Katie, stop running.” He jogged up next to me, tugged on my arm, and spun me around.

Anger pumped through my blood. “You are nothing but an arrogant ass!” I shouted at him. “I can’t believe I thought you were different.” I felt the tears building, but I willed them away. I refused to let him see me cry.

“I
am
different.”

I put my hand up to cut him off. “No you’re not. You’re no better than Wes.”

“Hold up, I’m nothing like Wes.” He pushed my hand away. His face was distorted with anger.

“Really?” I put my hands on my hips. “Because I think you are just like him. He was a liar and so are you.”

“I didn’t lie,” he said softly. Hurt replaced the anger on his face.

“Yes you did!” I shouted at him. “Your dad paid the school a little extra stipend so they would look the other way until your grades came up. That way you could still play hockey. Am I wrong?”

“Look,” Andrew began, but I cut him off.

“With Wes, his daddy paid for the school to take him and look the other way after that little World Juniors mishap.

“Sounds about the same to me,” I said, throwing my hands in the air. “Parents just bailing out the rich kids to make sure everyone has a perfect little life for the NHL Network.”

“Perfect life?” Andrew shouted at me. “You think I have some wonderful life in some fucking magical kingdom? Is that what you think?” I didn’t say anything as he got right in my face. “Let me tell you something you’re so wrong, and you’re just trying to blame everyone else for whatever secret that you are holding back.”

I stepped back. “Secret? What the hell are you talking about?” My voice cracked.

“Tell me about the necklace.” His voice was firm, and serious. I protectively cover my neck. “Why do you wear the letter ‘N’ when none of your names begin with it?”

“That is none of your business” I said through gritted teeth. “And I sure as hell am not going to tell someone who is nothing more than a liar.” I spun on my heels, ready to storm off, but I stopped. I was so livid, I turned back to him. “Thank you, Andrew,” I said with an evil smirk on my face. “Thank you for showing me your true colors.”

Andrew got right in my face. “No, Katie,” he sneered at me. “You say that you trust me, but you never told me anything about you. And I’m trying to change my life. My dad is helping me with a second chance. You have always kept everyone at arm's length. That means you never trusted me.” His words cut me deep. “So thanks, Katie. Thanks for showing me the true you.”

Our eyes remained connected for a moment, before Andrew turned to leave. Hurt, anger, betrayal, made my heart beat faster. The one person I loved was now the one person I hated the most.

I waved a taxi down, and headed back to my apartment. My legs were bouncing, trying to release my anger. I paid the cabbie and went straight into the kitchen. I didn’t even know if Lindsay was home as I slammed the cabinets looking for the tequila.

I located the one bottle that was left. I cracked it open and chugged it like it was water, letting the burn ease the pain that was ripping my soul to pieces.

“What the hell is all the noise?” Lindsay asked, coming into the kitchen. “Oh my God, Katie.”

That was the moment I broke. I fell to my knees, clutching the bottle, and exploded into tears. Lindsay wrapped me up in her arms, and I sobbed.

I didn't know how long Lindsay held me, or how much I cried, but when I stopped, her shirt was covered with my makeup.

“Sorry,” I said, trying to wipe it away.

“Who cares? Tell me what happened. Why did my best friend just have a nervous breakdown in our kitchen?” Her face was filled with worry.

I leaned back against the cabinets and drank some more from the bottle. “Andrew’s a liar.”

“Could you elaborate on that?”

I replayed to her what had happened and how he had lied about his grades to continue to play. Even telling the story now, it was like a dream. I trusted him. I loved him. And he broke my heart.

“I can’t believe this.” Lindsay raked her hands through her hair.

“Yep,” I said, popping my lips around the bottle again.

“What are you going to do?” she asked softly.

“I’m going to finish this tequila, pray that my liver doesn’t fail because of it, and then I’m going to pass the fuck out.” I stood up and stumbled a little bit.

“Katie.” Lindsay stood up next to me. “Please don’t go back to the old Katie.” She looked at me with wide, sad eyes.

“What?” I was confused. I was me, always the same.

“Since you’ve been tutoring Andrew, you’ve been different, and I like this new you. The one that isn’t so rough and tough. Please don’t go back.”