Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain novel Chapter 94

#Chapter 94: The Truth Comes Out

#Chapter 94: The Truth Comes Out

+25 BONUS

The ring of the doorbell startles me, rattling my nerves even though I’m the one who rang it. The chime doesn’t make it through two rounds before the door is open and Mon is gaping at us from inside.

We stare at each other for a few seconds before either one of us moves, while Alex waits awkwardly behind me. I can smell fresh–baked cookies and cinnamon.

Finally, Mom rushes through the door and wraps her arms around me. “Oh my god!”

Spi

Her body begins shaking with sobs, and I can’t help but start crying. We stand there, holding each other and crying, for what feels like several minutes.

When we finally break apart, Mom grabs my hand and pulls me in, using her other hand to wipe her face.

Alex stands on the doorstep, not sure what to do. “No–come in Alex, please,” Mom says, ushering him in.

Once she closes the door, Mom looks us over with a curious eye. “You two look…good.”

She takes my hands again and grips them in hers. “You look…older.”

She noticed! My mom doesn’t disappoint. “I mean, I’m almossst eighteen.”

“Yes! Yes, you are! Go ahead and take your stuff to your room. Alex, would you like anything? Some water or juice, or a snack maybe?”

“No, Ms. Boston, I’m fine.”

“Please call me Leanine,” she says.

4

I open the door to my room and flick on the light. It’s just as I left it. I drop my bag at the foot of her bed and plop down on the edge, looking around and taking it all in. There’s so much history here, but I don’t miss it. I don’t want any of it.

I close my eyes and, again, review what I plan to say to Mom when we’re alone.

“Everything okay, honey?” I hear her ask from the doorway

“Yeah I’m fine. It’s just been. A long week.”

It’s very hard to look like you’re trying to avoid a stutter when you don’t actually have one. It might be more challenging than I thought.

She nods. “Okay. You just look…different somehow.”

I shake my head, blowing off her realization. “Nah–it’sss just me.

“Well, we’ll be in the living room when you’re ready to come out.”

I slump my shoulders and breath in my old life. “Thanks.”

>>

She walks out and I get up to stare at myself in the bedroom mirror. Do I actually look different? I mean, I feel different. I feel more confident, more comfortable in my own skin. Ironic, I know.

Alex is sitting on the couch sipping water. He doesn’t exactly look uncomfortable, but I can tell he’s bullshitting his way through the conversation.

“Yeah, I’ve been staying with a family member because my parents travel a lot. But now that Dad is transferring west, I’ll head that way.”

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#Chapter 94 The Truth Comes

“Are you going to college out west?”

“I’m taking a gap year. I’ve been recruited to a minor league team, so I’ll do that for a while.”

“I’m sorry I don’t remember what sport you play.”

“Hockey–I play hockey.”

“That’s right,” she says, lifting her head in acknowledgement. “I remember Cynthia going to your games. You know, you’ve brought my Cynthia out of her shell.”

Cue my entry. “You have no idea,” I say as I walk in and sit beside Alex.

“Well…” Suddenly Mom is at a loss for words. “I know I’m not supposed to ask where you were or what happened, but I hope you will eventually trust me enough to tell me. Anyway, I’m glad you’re both okay. And I’m glad everything worked out with your family, Alex.”

“Thank you. Actually, my brother is still pretty sick. They’re not looking for him to be around much longer.”

“Oh no! I’m so sorry!”

He shrugs, but his demeanor definitely has a shadow over it. “At least they found out what was wrong. That’s something.”

This ushers in an awkward silence. I can tell Mom wants to ask more questions but isn’t sure if she should.

“I really have to go,” Alex finally says. “Thank you for the water, Ms. Boston–I mean Jeanine.”

“You’re very welcome, Alex. Please feel free to come by any time before you leave.”

I follow Alex out. “Minor league, huh?”

“Wishful thinking,” he says as he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me in to him. “Want to know what I’m wishing for right now?”

“Nothing appropriate for my mother’s doorstep, I’m sure.”

Alex kisses me. “I’ll call you later. Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

With a kiss on the top of my head, he’s gone.

When I walk back inside, my mom is exactly where I left her, watching me.

“Can I ask if you’re still going to State for college?”

“Yeah–my plans haven’t changed.”

“What about Alex?”

“We’re going. To do long. Distance.”

Mom cocks her head and glares at me skeptically. “Can I ask if anything else has changed?”

I sit in the floor in front of her, my legs crossed. “I saw Dad.”‘

Mom recoils like she was smacked in the face. “Your dad? Wh–where?” She becomes shifty in her seat. “Here? Did you see him in town?”

I don’t want to worry her. “No! No–not here.”

2/4

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(6

#Chapter 94: The Truth Comes Out

“Where?” Her voice is elevated, and I can tell she’s panicking. She leans forward and puts her hands on my face. Did he hurt you?”

I pull her hands off. “No, Mom. He didn’t do anything.”

She searches my eyes for answers. “Where did you see him??

“It doesn’t matter. But he told me sss–something,” I say, remembering to slur my s’s.

She leans back, her eyes still boring into mine. “What did he tell you.”

“About the adoption.”

Her eyes instantly start to water. She tries to blink back the waterworks but there’s no stopping her emotion.

“Oh, baby–I–Oh!”

She reaches toward me then pulls back, placing her hands over her mouth. “I’m so sorry, baby,” she says, though the words are muffled by her palms.

“It’s okay, Mom.”

The tears are now streaming.