Page 27 of Break my Heart
I pause, digesting her words.
“Hayes gives Mama money so we can skate,” she adds quietly, her voice growing solemn.
The innocence in her tone is heartbreaking. She says it so simply, but there’s a heaviness behind her words that makes my chest tighten. This is the first time I’ve gotten a glimpse into the weight Hayes carries, the responsibility that must rest on his shoulders.
I clear my throat, wanting to shift the mood. “Sounds like he’s a pretty great big brother.”
Her face brightens again as she bounces on the bench. “He’s the best!”
As we finish packing up her gear, I can’t help but mentally replay everything she said. It paints a different picture of Hayes than the one I had before. Less cocky center for the Western Wildcats and more protective older brother, willing to do whatever it takes for his family.
We head out to the lobby where Hayes and his brothers are waiting. The minute they spot us, Kia runs to him, her small hand clutching his tightly.
“Who’s hungry?” he asks.
“Me!” they all shout in unison.
I take a step back, raising my hand in a wave. “Well, have fun?—”
“Can Coach Ava come?” Kia interrupts, her eyes wide and hopeful.
I pause, startled by the unexpected question. I glance from her to Hayes, shaking my head. “Oh, no. I don’t want to intrude?—”
“Please?” Kia pouts, her expression tugging at my heartstrings, making it impossible to say no. This little girl already knows how to wrap people around her finger.
Hayes smirks, clearly enjoying my discomfort. His laughter is barely contained. “You’re welcome to join us, if you’re up for it.”
With a sigh, I check my watch. “I guess I can go.”
“Yay!” Kia hops around, her energy boundless despite the hours spent on the ice.
As we head toward the exit, Hayes falls into step beside me. His siblings run ahead, eager to hit the arcade area near the concession stand.
I give him a sideways glance as my lips twitch with amusement. “You realize your sister is going to be a handful, right?”
He snorts. “What do you mean going to be?”
As much as I hate to admit it, for the first time since I met Hayes, I see him in a different light. Maybe he’s not just an arrogant hockey player who always seems to have a smirk on his face. Maybe, just maybe, he’s a guy who has a lot more going on beneath the surface.
And maybe that makes him someone worth getting to know.
12
Hayes
The drive to Harvey’s Eats and Treats is a quick fifteen minutes from the arena, but with Ava sitting next to me in the passenger seat, it feels like a longer stretch of time. She offered to take her own car, but Kia—God bless her—begged Ava to ride with us. There was no way she could say no to those big blue eyes, and I wasn’t about to let her off the hook.
Without my little sister doing my dirty work, I’m sure Ava would have found an excuse to avoid my beat-up Ford Bronco. The old girl might be rusty and a little worse for wear, but I’d never replace her. Not even with the NHL salary I’m hoping to land next year. I’ve put too much blood, sweat, and tears into this truck, working summers in high school to afford it, then spending weekends fixing her up with my uncle. She’s seen me through a lot, and there’s something grounding about that.
Ava sits stiffly beside me, her fingers twisted together in her lap, eyes glued to the windshield like she’s trying to will herself to be anywhere but here. Alternative rock hums through the speakers while my siblings chatter in the back seat about their morning on the ice.
After we pull into the parking lot of Harvey’s, Ava pops the handle and steps out of the truck before assisting the kids. All three of them scramble from the backseat and race toward the entrance. I chuckle, watching them disappear inside as the bell above the door chimes in their wake.
“You’ve certainly got your hands full,” Ava mutters.
I grin, locking up before we follow them inside. “You have no idea, Tink.”
Harvey’s is one of our favorite spots. It’s got this old-school diner vibe with pinball machines, a jukebox, and a menu filled with classic burgers, fries, and the best milkshakes in town. It’s not something we splurge on often, but every now and then, I like to treat my siblings to dinner out just to remind them that things won’t always be this tough. That better days are ahead of us.