Chapter 14
1323 Words
Damien's POV
“Did you get hit in the head the other night?”
Theo asks, punching me on the arm.
“No, why?”
I say through gritted teeth, rubbing my arm.
“What the hell was that just then? I told you not to hit on her.”
What. The. f**k?
“I didn’t. I welcomed her to our beloved city and asked if she enjoyed watching MY game, which YOU brought her to,”
I say, returning his punch but a bit harder.
He scrubs his hand over his face and lets out a harsh breath.
“You know what?”
he says.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I just feel so protective of Sia and Vivienne, you know?”
“No, I don’t know, Theo, because you won’t tell me. I get that you’re a good guy looking out for Sia’s friend, but I don’t know why you’re acting like this. What’s the problem?”
He pauses for a moment and then lifts his head. A real f*****g somber look crosses over his face.
“Remember last year, a couple months after me and Sia got together? She was distraught and inconsolable because her friend back home lost her parents and sister in a horrific fuckin’ car accident?”
I know exactly where this is going.
“Don’t say it, man.”
He nods.
“Yep, that f*****g poor girl’s entire family was wiped out in seconds flat by a goddamn drunk.”
I feel sick to my stomach knowing that Vivi has suffered so much. I’ve only met her twice and for a really short amount of time, but I’m drawn to her and there is nothing I can do about it.
“Theo, I want to get to know her. Please. I’ll play it however you want, but trust me like you always do.”
He stares at me. We’re almost the same height. We have the same frame and our stance is identical. If you didn’t know my twin was a girl, you would think it was him.
“You know, Sia called this. She said out of everyone we know, it would be you.”
“What?”
I ask, confused as f**k. Again.
“Nothing,”
he replies.
He changes the subject and talks more about the gear I’ve brought over and my upcoming games. Vivi comes back in and hands us both a bottle of water. We thank her and then Theo says,
“Hey, Vivienne. Damien was just saying he has a bit of free time toward the end of the week. How do you feel about him being your official tour guide when me and Sia have to work?”
I brace my hand on the table I’m standing next to and wait for her reply.
“Um, sure. That might be nice. I can’t sit in Sia’s apartment forever.”
I shoot a smile at her.
“Great. I’ve got another home game and practices and stuff, but I’ve got an off day before our first road trip. Want to get together Friday maybe?”
She nods and I choose my next words carefully.
“Would you like to give me your number so you can text me if anything changes?”
“Sia sorted me out a US number. I don’t know it by heart yet.”
Instead, she passes me her unlocked phone. Our fingers brush and the electricity I felt before zaps through me again. I double check the number I tap in because I’m so distracted by her perfume, the fallen strands of hair I want to brush back behind her ear, and the fact that Theo has narrowed his gaze on me.
He’s standing behind the table with his arms crossed over his wide chest. I’m sensing a smirk, but I can’t see his face. I text myself so I have her number, my phone vibrating in my back pocket as I pass the phone back to her and turn to my cousin with a huge face-splitting grin that Vivi can’t see.
“So, what more can I do to help while I’m here? You’ve got an hour!”
Theo gets me to move some things around in a storage room and then it’s time for me to set off for the rink. Before I leave, Theo thanks me again and I take a moment to look at the memorial put up in remembrance of my uncle and the other firefighters he led into the North Tower.
In one hour, this city lost more firefighters than it had in the previous fifty years. I place my hand against the cool brass and then look at T, who just gives the slightest nod. I see Vivi one last time, letting her know I’ll contact her within the week, and leave her and Theo as she asks questions, no doubt now becoming aware that Theo is stationed at his father’s company.
As I drive on autopilot, having done the journey so many times I’ve lost count, I decide that this is the best time to call my mom. She picks up on the first ring, like she knew before I even knew that I was going to call.
“Hello, sweet boy. We watched your game last night after we got back from Ithaca. You did so good, honey.”
“Thanks, Mama,”
I laugh, because she treats and talks to us all like we’re still ten. Some men may scoff at that, but we’re all just a bunch of mama’s boys in our family.
“So how did Nerd do? Did they come out strong?”
“Why can’t you call him by his given name, not that horrible Adrianname you boys gave him?”
she huffs but continues,
“Jason played a great game and scored a screamer of a goal,”
she laughs.
“That’s what the announcer called it. But they lost 4-3 in the end. Don’t worry, your daddy worked on him a bit after the game and by the time we left, he seemed in better spirits. Almost everyone called him while we were still there.”
That was a little dig at me.
“Mama, I called him twice yesterday and it went to voicemail. He knows I tried him.”
She clicks her tongue, scolding me.
“Damien, you know what he’s like. You’re the one he’s trying to emulate. Not your daddy or brothers; you.”
I sigh, knowing that she’s right. He’s the baby of the family and has always been the same. When we were young, he was like a little shadow, copying everything I did. It drove me f*****g nuts. We all make fun of and bust each other’s balls, but when it comes to hockey, he struggles to find the humor and takes losses hard.
He’s always trying to impress me, like he’s making up for something, which is bullshit because I would be proud no matter what.
“Okay, how about I whip up the group chat, hopefully that will cheer him up.”
“Oh, honey, yes, do that. That makes me really happy.”
I laugh again. Gillian Kingsley comes across as this tiny, southern, cookie-baking, over-excitable elementary school teacher. When in reality, she’s a f*****g sniper ninja with a sneak attack you never see coming and once you’re in her crosshairs, she can make you bend to her will and do anything.
“Good. Well, I’ve gotta go. Say hi to Dad for me. I love you, Mama.”
“I love you, too. I’ll tell your daddy you called; he’s out at the moment. We’ll see you at the next game.”
“Can’t wait. Bye.”
Ending the call, I release a breath. Sometimes I think all I do is worry about my siblings and cousins, especially Jase. Although Theo will tell you he feels the same.
- Writer
