Parting Chances (Fighting Chance #1) (25 page)

“Oh, Haley.” Mom sighed. We were quiet for a while, and the only sounds were my uncontrollable sobs. When I finally started to taper off, Mom moved my head so I was looking at her.

“I need you to listen to me, okay?” she asked and waited for my nod, which I gave her. “First, yes, you are going home. You still have work and a life over there. But more importantly, I don’t want you to see me like that. I sleep all the time as it is. When the end comes, I’m sure it’ll be worse. Or I’ll be in even more pain than I am right now. I don’t want you to see that. I want you to leave with the memory of me still alive, still able to talk to you.” She paused and took in a deep breath. “Okay?”

“Okay,” I choked out. I definitely didn’t want to leave her, but I also didn’t want to disrespect her dying wishes. So I guess I’d be going home, waiting by the phone for the dreaded call.

“And I’m sorry that I can’t be there for you. I would give anything to change what is happening, but that’s not possible. And I’m so sorry for that. You’re my baby girl. Don’t you think there are so many things I want to see you do? To be there for you when you need me? To watch you grow into the amazing woman you are already becoming? No, I won’t be here in person for all of that, but I’ll
be
there with you. I’m never going to leave you, not really. I’ll always be right here.” She reached out and touched my chest, right above my heart. “You’re going to move on with your life, you’ll graduate college, get a fantastic job, marry the love of your life, and I’ll be there for all of it. I am going to miss you like hell, kid. You better believe that. But know that I will
always
love you.
Always.
And I know he may not be the best at it, but you can go to your dad for any advice you need. And he’s going to need that when I’m gone. He’s going to need you and Caleb more than you know.” She paused to wipe away the tears now cascading down her cheeks. “I love you, Haley. I will always love you.”

I wrapped my arms around Mom and hugged her tight. “I love you too, Mom. I’m going to miss you so much.” I held onto her until she drifted off to sleep. I heard someone sniffle in the corner and realized Meg was still there and heard our entire conversation. I placed a kiss on Mom’s forehead. “Goodbye,” I whispered and crawled out of bed. When I got to the door, I paused and turned back to the room, taking my mom in. I stared at her unblinking until my eyes started to dry out, but I needed to commit every part of her to memory. When a machine beeped and Meg stood to administer more medicine, I opened the door. I looked at her one last time before walking out and shutting the door behind me. My forehead rested against the wood for a moment. “Goodbye,” I whispered again before heading down the hall to find Eli and Dad.

***

Fifteen minutes later, after a rough goodbye to my dad, Eli and I were on our way home. Eli hadn’t mentioned anything about my red blotchy face or what had went on in my parents’ bedroom. He just held my hand and listened to the rock music I had requested. I needed something to clear my head, and I couldn’t hear one more love song today. My head rested against the seat. My eyes burned from all the crying I did today, and I closed them in an attempt to soothe them. I had only meant to close my eyes for a little bit, but the next thing I knew, Eli was carrying me up to my apartment.

“Thank you for being there today,” I mumbled into his chest, unsure if it was real life or if I was dreaming. Eli had somehow gotten my key out and entered the apartment. He shut the door behind him then carried me to my bed.

“Of course. There was no other place I’d rather have been.” He slid my covers back and placed me gently on the bed, then covered me up. “Goodnight, Hales. Sweet dreams.” Just as he was about to turn and leave my hand shot out and gripped his.

“Stay. Please, stay.” I don’t know why I had said it, and I’m sure if I had been more awake, I would have been blushing at my assertiveness, but I
needed
my Eli bubble right now. Today was long, tough and draining, and I just wanted to make it all better. And
he
made it all better.

“You sure?” he asked. Always the gentleman he was. I nodded and scooted over, making room for him. “Okay, let me get your suitcase and lock everything up.” He left the room and my eyes closed. I must have fallen asleep as he got the stuff from the car, because the next thing I felt was the bed dip and Eli’s citrus-woodsy scent tickle my nose as he pulled me to him. Despite the heartbreaking day I had, I fell quickly off into a dreamless sleep.

After working double shifts the past two days, I was grateful when I clocked out after only eight hours on Monday. When I got home, I was tempted to crawl under the covers of my bed and sleep the rest of the day away. Working forty hours in three days was a little ridiculous. But since I had spent the entire last week with my family, it was only fair for the other workers to get to spend time with theirs too. And Robb was always short staffed around this time of the year, so it was expected to put in as many hours as possible.

I shook my head, clearing the idea of sleep and jumped in the shower. I hadn’t seen Eli since he left on Saturday morning, though we talked daily. We planned to meet at his house to exchange those Christmas presents we never got around to before.

Forty-five minutes later, I was in front of his house. As I got out of the car, I picked the small gift bag off the passenger seat. Eli already had the door open when I approached.

“Hey, there,” he said, holding the door open as I walked through.

“Hi.” I kicked off my shoes and threw my coat very ungracefully in the direction of the coat rack. “This is for you.” I held out the present to him. After he took it, I moved into the living room and face-planted on the couch.

“Tired?” He asked the very obvious question while picking up my legs and taking a seat on the couch, then placing my feet on his lap.

“Forty hours in three days. What do you think?” I rolled over with a groan.

“Robb needs to hire some more people.”

I scoffed. “Of course he does. He’s needed to since I started working there. But he doesn’t, and it’s a great job any other time of the year, so we never complain.”

“Well, then suck it up.” He grinned at me, and I kicked at him with my feet. “Hey! Watch it!” His hands moved over his crotch in protection mode.

I rolled my eyes at his puppy dog face and moved my feet from his lap, tucking them under my butt as I sat up. “Are you going to open that?” I asked, pointing at the bag sitting on the armrest.

Eli grinned and tore the tissue paper out. His grin expanded when he got to the present. He pulled out two new Jeopardy games and laughed. He put his hand back in the bag and lifted out the last gift as my cheeks lit up. The picture frame was just like the other black ones he had covering the wall in his room. I tugged on my shirt, feeling more embarrassed as he just stared at the picture. It was definitely not a good idea to put a picture that was captured at my brother’s wedding of the two of us in there. Why did I ever think that would make a good present?

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I thought it was a nice picture, and I remembered your wall…” I trailed off, picking at the hem of my shirt.

“No. This is perfect.” He wrapped his arms around me. “Thank you, Haley.” I breathed him in, relieved he didn’t think it was the corniest gift ever. He pulled back and held the games. “And as for these, I hope you’re prepared to get destroyed again.”

“Please.” I laughed. “Don’t get so cocky. I’ve been studying up.” Okay, I really hadn’t, but I wasn’t about to let him win every single game of Jeopardy we played. I
would
win at least one.

“Come on. Your present is in my room. And let’s see those new mad skills put to the test.” He took my hand and led me upstairs. My heart thumped as I took each step. I hadn’t been in his room since trivia weekend, and the thought of sitting on his bed with him—in an empty house—made my breathing spike out of control. Why on earth did Kyler and Noah decide to vacation in Florida for winter break? Didn’t they know I was not responsible enough to be left alone? Eli had let go of my hand when we entered his room, and he went straight to his wall of photos. He took one of him and a buddy out from the middle and replaced it with the picture I had given him. It was right above the one taken freshman year.

I smiled as I took in both pictures next to each other. We looked happy in the one from freshman year. We looked in love in the one from the wedding.

Oh, Christ. Did I just say in love? What the crap?

Eli was busy digging through his desk drawer to notice me fanning myself. I seriously needed sleep. My mind was starting to think things that were utterly ridiculous. I wasn’t
in love
with Eli. There was no way that was possible. Heck, we’d only started being…something more less than a month ago. No, definitely not
in love
. Thank goodness I hadn’t said that out loud. I turned a darker shade of red at the thought.

“Found it!” He turned around holding a long narrow box with a grin on his face. He walked over to me and placed the box in my hands. “Merry Christmas, Hales.”

Jewelry usually came in a long narrow box. My heart thudded against my chest. I stared at the box for another moment before untying the ribbon and slowly lifting the top. A small giggle escaped my lips as I took in what was resting inside.

“Wonder Woman?” I asked, picking up the silver necklace with the small but beautiful Wonder Woman charm. I held it out to Eli so he could put it on me.

“Well, that was one hell of a costume you wore that night.” He laughed as he hooked it around my neck. “And that was kind of a turning point in this…something more.”

A blush crept up my cheeks. “Well, thank you. It’s lovely.”

I sat on the bed, fingering the charm while Eli opened one of the games I got him and put it in the player. I couldn’t believe the thought he had put into this present. It was simple and…slightly geeky but beautiful, just like the amazing man that gave it to me.

“You ready?” Eli asked, holding out the controller, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Prepare to go down.” I grinned and grabbed the controller before scooting over so he could crawl on the bed too.

***

“Gah, I can’t believe you won. Stupid controller. What the crap was that dumb answer at the end? I clearly did not click on Saint Bridget. I
would
have beat you if the freaking controller didn’t have a mind of its own!” I complained and threw the controller on the bed.

“Oh, don’t blame the controller, Haley. Just admit it. I’m amazing.” He tossed me a wink as he loaded a new game.

Well, yeah, but I won’t admit that out loud with you right there!

I nudged his shoulder and picked up my controller as he loaded another game. My phone jingled in my back pocket as the categories were loading.

“Pause it!” I yelled at him and pulled the phone from my pocket. “No cheating.” I eyed him before looking down at my phone. I had hoped it was someone I could just ignore; you know like those traitors, Kyler and Noah. I wanted to get back to the smack down I was about to give Eli.

Dad’s name flashed across the screen, and my heart hit the floor. After what happened during Christmas break, this phone call was sure to deliver the worst news of my life.

I glanced at Eli with panicked eyes. I couldn’t have this conversation. I couldn’t do it. I wasn’t ready. The phone stopped ringing as Eli sensed my overwhelmed emotions and gave my knee a light squeeze.

“Answer it,” he said as it rang again.

One deep breath, and I slid my finger across the screen and pressed the phone to my ear. “Hi Dad,” I choked out. Tears were already in my eyes.

“Sweetie.” That’s all that Dad said before the flood gates opened. His voice was broken, like a man who just lost his wife of twenty-five years. A man who now had to call his children and tell them their mom had just died.

“When?” I sobbed.

“She passed away a half hour ago. She said goodbye and drifted off to sleep. Ten minutes later she was gone…” Dad choked out, which only caused me to cry harder. Dad was always the strong one in our family. I had never seen him completely and totally break down before. Sure, he had shed his share of tears, but it had never been like this. I heard his muffled sobs through the phone.

I vaguely noticed Eli had wrapped his arm around me, running his hand up and down my arm trying to soothe me.