Lucky Bounce: Game On, Part 2 by Jennifer Lazaris

19

The soft noise of the SUV's windshield wipers was the only sound she'd heard since picking up Eli at the team's hotel in Tampa when he finished practice for the day.

It was storming like crazy, and it reflected her somber mood. Her doctor had confirmed her Myasthenia Gravis diagnosis, and she was now on medication. Thankfully, it was only one pill per day, and it was working. Her symptoms were under control

And right now, they were on their way to visit Eli’s biological father, Troy Cross.

He hadn't seen this man in at least twenty-three years. She couldn't imagine what was going through his mind right now. Considering he wasn't talking, all she could do was speculate.

"There's the exit," she said, pointing.

A few seconds later, the vehicle's voice navigation system announced the approaching exit, and she gave him a sheepish look.

"Sorry, I'm not used to riding around in cars that tell me where I'm supposed to turn. You've met my shitty car, so you know what I mean."

He flashed a quick smile, but it didn't touch his eyes, and she began to worry.

Maybe she'd been wrong to bring him the letters. What if this screwed up his mindset for the rest of the playoffs? Hell, what if it screwed him up emotionally, forever? He'd been used to not having his father in his life. Had she made things worse?

Eli turned off the highway, navigating through a few intersections and down a side street until they reached his father's apartment complex. The building wasn't anything fancy, but it was nice enough. He pulled the SUV into the parking lot and killed the engine.

"You don't have to do this," she said, turning in her seat to face him. "I don't want you to think I'm pushing you into something you don't want to do."

"You aren't," he assured her. "I need to do this. For me."

"As long as that's how you really feel."

"It is."

After he locked the SUV, they walked in silence together toward his father's front door. Before he could knock, she grabbed his hand.

"Eli, are you sure?" she whispered, searching his face.

He squeezed her hand. "I am. I promise."

"I'm here if you need me. Give me a signal if you want me to help you fake a quick exit. Say..." She paused, scrunching up her nose. "Say ‘discombobulated.’”

Eli cocked one eyebrow, an amused look on his handsome face.

"Uh huh. And how does one work 'discombobulated' into a conversation with their deadbeat father, kitten?"

Okay, it definitely wasn't her best idea to date. "You're smart; you'll figure it out."

"Glad you think so." He knocked on the door. "Let's get this over with, so we can get the hell out of here.”

* * *

Time slowed down as he waited for the door to open.

He'd thought about this moment more than a few times over the years. What would his father look like? How tall would he be? How would he sound?

He wasn't prepared when he came face-to-face with Troy Cross.

Eli blinked as they locked gazes. It was like stepping into a time machine and traveling twenty years into the future.

His father had black, thick hair, just like his own, except Troy's was peppered with bits of gray. They shared the same features and the same jawline. Troy was a smidge taller, but not by much. Even their builds were the same.

The only difference was his father's eyes. They were strikingly blue, where his were light brown, like his mother's.

His real mother.

Camilla.

His father swallowed as they stared at each other, then opened the door wider. "Elijah." Troy's voice was so deep it startled him. "It's really, really good to see you. Please come in."

"I go by Eli," he said, finally finding his voice. "This is my girlfriend, Holly."

Troy held his hand out to Holly, and she shot Eli a sideways glance before shaking it.

He was going to have to answer for the girlfriend explanation later, but like she'd said when they were at the doctor's office, it was just easier this way.

"Hello, Holly. I'm Troy. Please, come out of the rain."

Eli gestured for Holly to go first, then followed her inside. The apartment, a bachelor, was plain. The stark white walls were completely bare. A beige couch and matching easy chair, along with a scuffed-up coffee table, were the only pieces of furniture in the room.

"Please, take a seat," Troy said, gesturing to the couch. "Would you like something to drink? I have—"

"No," Eli interrupted. "Look, this isn't really a social visit. I finally read the letters you sent all those years ago and found out I have sisters. I want to meet them."

A flicker of disappointment crossed his father's face. "Of course. I can understand that."

Troy took a seat in the easy chair. "The girls aren't from around here. Their mother is Canadian. I met her not long after I got out of prison. She was visiting family here at the time." Troy hesitated. "I did some stupid things to land in prison, Elijah. Eli," he corrected. "But I've been out for eighteen years, and I have no intention of going back. I've been on the straight and narrow the entire time I've been out. I just need you to know that I'm not about that life anymore."

"Tell me about my sisters," Eli said, fighting to keep his voice even.

Fuck, if he had his way, he'd let loose. He'd unleash all his pent-up rage over his mother's death at this man.

"Like I said in the letters, they're twins. They go to college in Toronto. Their names are Madison and Tabitha, and they're eighteen. During the summer, they stay in Tampa with their mother and stepfather. His family has a house down here." Troy paused. "I don't really have much of a relationship with the twins. I see them once a year when they visit, but it's not really a father-daughter relationship. Their stepfather raised them, and they are very close to him. Their mother and I... well, we were just a short-term fling."

Eli stared at his father, unable to hide his disgust. "And whose fault is it that you don't have a relationship with your daughters?"

"Actually, it was a joint decision between me and their mother," Troy explained. "She was engaged to their stepfather by the time they were born, and she wanted him to raise them."

"But they weren't his kids. They were yours," Eli snapped. "They were your responsibility. But that's what you do, right? You just take the fucking easy way out."

Holly put her hand on his arm, but he couldn't stop the words that tumbled out.

"Come on, admit it. You did the same fucking thing with me. You let your sister raise me because you couldn't be bothered once you were out of prison, right? It was too much trouble to come and get me and bring me back to Florida where I belonged."

Troy swallowed, then shifted his gaze to Holly. "Holly, would you mind giving us a minute alone?"

She stood, but Eli grabbed her hand.

"No. She stays. There's nothing that you can say to me that you can't say in front of her."

"Eli," she said gently, "maybe—"

"No. You stay, or we both leave."

Holly sat back down on the couch. "Okay. Whatever you need."

Troy cleared his throat. "I know you're angry with me, son—"

"I'm not your fucking son," Eli growled. "I haven't been your son since I was three years old. I read your letters. You said how sorry you were. How bad you felt about everything. But what you never did was come and get me. You never sent a birthday present or a Christmas card. You never came to see me at all. I was your fucking child, and you abandoned me like I was nothing!"

"If you think I didn't want you, then you're wrong," Troy replied, his voice trembling. "But you had a stable home in New York, two parents, and you didn't want for anything. I’d lost parental rights. Besides, I was working constantly, scratching to make a living, trying to go to night school, so I could get a better job. It wouldn't have been a good life for you here, Eli."

"You're wrong. I did want for something. I didn't have two parents." Eli slashed a hand through the air. "Ethan Donnelley didn't want anything to do with me. He gave me his last name after they adopted me, but he wasn't my father. He hated having me there. He never wanted children, and he said I ruined his life. He told me that many times when Katherine wasn't around."

Eli put his head down and sucked in a deep breath before looking up at his father again. "Do you have any idea what that was like for me? They fought about me all the time. Living in that house was hell."

Troy paled. "Eli, I didn't know."

"She's dying, you know."

It was the first time he'd ever said the words aloud, and something in him shook loose. He teared up, fighting like hell to hold them back. "Katherine made plenty of mistakes, but she loved me. She became my mom when you drove my real mother to an early grave." Eli swallowed hard. "And now, she's got Alzheimer's."

"I know," Troy said quietly. "Eli, I'm so sorry."

He looked away. "It's too late for sorry."

"I don't believe that. It's never too late to start fresh."

"How did you know she had Alzheimer's?"

"I've known for a while. We've talked here and there over the years. The nurses have my number, and occasionally, I'll get a call from Katherine."

"You could have fought to see me."

"I thought you were better off with her than with me," Troy said, his voice thick with emotion. "Eli, you wouldn't be where you are today if I'd have raised you."

Eli rubbed his temples. "Jesus. This is so fucked up."

"Maybe you don't want to hear it, but you need to know that I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for stealing the money that led me to prison, and for what happened to Camilla," Troy said, meeting his eyes. "I know she was exhausted from working three jobs after I went inside. I've never stopped blaming myself for her death, and I never will. Your mother was the love of my life. We were a family. Maybe not for long, but those memories of all three of us... they're the best ones I have." Troy leaned forward in his chair. "I'm sorry you felt I didn't want you, and for not fighting to bring you back to Florida. But I'm not sorry for the man you've become, thanks to my sister. Katherine wasn’t my biggest fan, but I’m grateful she raised you. You're a better man than I could ever hope to be."

Eli sucked in a breath, then dragged his palms down over his face. "My sisters... did they know about me?"

"No," Troy shook his head. "I didn't want to get their hopes up if you weren't interested in being a part of their lives. After I got your text, I told them that they have a brother. They're very excited to meet you." Troy ran his hands down over his thighs. "They'll meet you at Minnigan's restaurant tonight at 6pm."

Eli stood. "We need to get going." Pausing, he glanced over at his father, who got up from the easy chair. "Are you going to visit your sister anytime soon?"

Troy nodded. "Yes. I bought a ticket to game four of the playoffs, so I’ll be in Vegas then."

Eli froze, stunned. "What? Why? Why would you do that?"

"Because regardless of everything that's happened, you're still my son, and I'm proud of everything you've accomplished. You've done well for yourself, and you're incredibly talented. I want all of your dreams to come true. That's all I've ever wanted, Eli. I wanted a better life for you than I had growing up."

Fuck. He could feel the tears pricking his eyes again, and he turned to face Holly, just so he could escape the weight of his father's stare. Her gaze was warm, and she reached for his hand, which he gladly accepted.

"Eli, I'm hoping..." Troy looked at Holly, then back to him. "I know you're angry, and maybe you aren't ready for any kind of relationship with me. But I'd like to stay in touch. Even if it's just occasionally. I don't expect an answer from you now. I know you need time. But I'm here if you want to reach out."

Feeling too choked up to speak, he turned to leave without another word, pulling Holly along behind him.

Wrapping his head around having a relationship with his father was impossible. It was too much, too soon. He'd come here today and said what he'd needed to say to the man.

For now, that was enough.

* * *

"Fuck, do I look okay? I'm not overdressed, am I?"

Eli glanced down at his gray dress pants and blue button-down shirt as they walked toward the front door of Minnigan's restaurant. "I don't want to look like a stuffy douchebag."

"You look great," Holly assured him, then grinned. "Not at all like a stuffy douchebag, I promise."

"Good. You look beautiful, by the way. I'm sorry for not saying that earlier. I'm just seriously distracted."

She wore a white sleeveless dress with pockets in the front, an orange belt and high heels. Her hair was tied back into a low ponytail with a few wisps framing her face.

"Thanks, but no compliments are necessary. This night is about you. I'm so excited for you!"

He opened the door for her, then followed her inside. "I'm nervous as hell. This is just weird."

"No, it's good," She walked over to the hostess. "Wilkes, party of two. For the private dining area?"

"Great, follow me," the hostess said, picking up two menus.

"There's actually another party joining us, so we'll need two more menus," Eli piped up.

"Certainly. They haven't arrived yet, but I'll make sure to bring them over as soon as they do."

Once they were seated in the private dining room, he ran a hand down over his beard. "I'm sweating bullets. I'm way more nervous to meet my sisters than I was to see my father."

"It's understandable. But I'm sure it will be great." Holly placed her hand atop his. "Don't worry. I've got your back. If there are any lulls in conversation, I'll fill them."

"Fuck, I'm crazy about you." He leaned forward and brushed a lock of hair away from her face. "I don't know what I'd have done without you lately, Wilkes."

"That's what friends are for." She winked at him and took a sip of her water. "There's more than one kind of benefit, you know."

He smiled. "Yeah, I guess so."

The door to the private dining room opened. They both glanced up as the hostess walked in and set two menus down on the table. "Your guests are here, but they wanted to use the restroom. They'll be in shortly."

Eli covered his face with his hands as she left. "Jesus, talk about prolonging the torture. I feel like it's Christmas morning, and I'm waiting to open my presents."

"This is probably the best present you could ask for," she said, patting his hand. "Relax. It's going to be great."

When the door opened again, his heart slammed hard in his chest as the twins walked in.

He couldn't help staring. Their faces were absolutely identical, except the one wearing the purple dress had shorter hair.

The girls stopped short, glanced at each other, and let out an unholy shriek.

"Is this for real?" His sister with the purple dress gasped. "This can't be real."

The long-haired sister, who wore a denim skirt and white top, just stared at him. "I don't know. Pinch me. If I wake up, then I'll know it isn't."

Eli stood up from the table. "Hi, I'm Eli. I guess, well, I guess I'm your brother."

They shrieked again, and he froze, unsure of why they kept screaming. When he glanced at Holly, she was trying hard not to laugh.

"Um, Eli, I think maybe they recognize you."

"Oh. Oh!" He'd never even considered that they would know who he was. "You guys watch hockey, then?"

"Do we watch hockey?" the one with the short hair asked. "We're from Toronto. Hockey is life in Canada!"

The long-haired twin offered him a shy smile, then stuck out her hand. "I'm Tabitha. And that's Maddie. Er, Madison."

"He's our brother, Tab. I think it's okay to hug him!" Madison threw her arms around him, and he grinned.

"Yeah, of course it's okay. Come here." He held an arm out for Tabitha, and they gave each other a big group hug.

"Sorry," Tabitha said, stepping back. "It's not every day you find out your long-lost brother is a famous hockey player. And playing for the Cup, no less. This is surreal. It's great to find out we have a brother regardless, but this is like extra cherries on the cake."

Eli laughed as a warm feeling rushed over him. Family. It was something he'd never expected or experienced before now, but fuck, he was more than grateful.

They took their seats around the table.

"This here is my friend, Holly," he told the girls. He paused. "Do you guys go by your full names?"

"You can call us anything," Madison said, brushing a lock of short, dark hair behind her ear. "I go by Madison, Maddie, or Mad. Same goes for Tabitha. Tabby or Tab."

"I hate to admit this, but I don't know your last name," he said, embarrassed. "Troy didn't tell me."

"Oh, it's Bright," Tabitha told him. "That's our dad's last name. Well, step-dad. He raised us though, so we only really know him as Dad."

"I get that. I was raised by someone else, too. I really wish I'd known about you guys sooner."

"You know now, and that's all that matters," Maddie replied. "But come on, the family resemblance is kinda spooky, isn't it? I mean, wow."

"It really is," Holly agreed. "It's obvious you're siblings."

"It's freaky," Eli admitted. "Except for the blue eyes, of course."

"I just can't believe we have a brother," Tabitha said, shaking her head. "Maddie and I have been freaking out for the past few days. My mom said she would have told us, but she didn't know Troy had another kid. Not that they really kept in touch or whatever."

Madison cocked her head. "Do you think there are more of us? Or are we it?"

Eli laughed. "Nah, I'm pretty sure it's just us."

The waitress came in and took their drink orders, then left to let them look over the menus.

"This place is fancy," Tabitha said. "And a VIP room? Wow."

"I'm not normally someone who hides away from crowds, but tonight is different. I'm not sure who might recognize me down here, but I didn't want to have people keep interrupting us tonight."

"Everyone would recognize you. Don't you know how famous you are?" Madison asked, looking genuinely curious. "I mean, you're you."

"You're going to give him an even bigger ego than he already has," Holly teased.

He shrugged. "I guess I don't think about it much."

"You're like one of the best defensemen to play in the league!" Tabitha chimed in. "We knew who you were, even though Toronto doesn't play Vegas all that much."

"Enough about me. I want to know all about you guys," he insisted. "Fill me in on the last eighteen years."

They both laughed. "We grew up in Toronto and spend summers here. Mom likes us to visit Troy at least once while we're down here. We don't mind. He's nice enough. Kind of like an uncle or whatever," Madison said. "As for me, I go to school for fashion design."

"And I'm studying to be a vet tech," Tabby replied.

"My best friend is a vet tech. She loves her job," Holly told Tabitha. "She's planning on going to school to be a veterinarian eventually."

"Really? That's awesome. I love animals. I walk dogs and pet sit to make extra money right now," Tabby said.

"We better decide what we're ordering before the waitress returns," Holly told the group. "Everything looks good, so it might be tough to choose."

After placing their orders, the girls filled him in on what it was like to grow up in Toronto, and he told them all about growing up in New York.

To his unspoken relief, it was more than easy to talk to them. They were total chatterboxes.

Madison was more outgoing than Tabby, who seemed to get shy when speaking about certain subjects. And during the meal, they kept finishing each other's sentences, which cracked him up.

"So, um... are you good friends with Caleb Steele?" Madison asked, taking a bite of her chicken.

Tabby rolled her eyes. "Here we go."

"What?" Maddie gave Tabby a defensive look. "Come on, I had to ask."

"She has a super crush on Caleb," Tabby confided. "She has since he played for Toronto."

Holly snickered. "I'm sure Eli can introduce you to Caleb sometime."

"You're way too young for Caleb," Eli protested, feeling slightly panicked. "He's my age."

"I don't want to date him," Maddie said, shrugging.

"Liar," Tabby teased.

"I just want to meet him. And talk to him. And maybe get a selfie." Maddie swiped a French fry off of Tabby's plate. "It's no big deal."

Holly patted Eli on the shoulder. "Welcome to being a big brother. Now you get to protect your sisters from your flirty friends."

"God help me," he muttered, running a hand down over his beard. "Especially when it comes to my friends."

Madison grinned. "We're kind of double trouble. Well, I'm trouble, anyway. Tabby's the sweet, innocent sister."

Tabby made a face. "Pretty sure that means boring."

The girls grilled him about his life in the League until the waitress brought the check. He had to admit, it was a fun visit. They were funny and loved to tease each other, and he was beginning to feel like a brother when they teased him, too.

Glancing down at his watch, he sighed. It was time to head back to the hotel. "I'm sorry, girls, but I need to be heading out. Game one is tomorrow, and I don't want to miss curfew. Coach will have my ass."

"We have to get your number!" Madison said, pulling out her phone.

"Ooh, for sure," Tabby agreed.

After they exchanged numbers and he paid the check, they stood up from the table.

"This was the best day," Tabitha said shyly, giving him another hug. "Thanks so much for meeting with us.

"The very best day! I can't believe we have a brother. You're probably going to be sick of us soon," Madison joked.

"Never," he murmured, overcome with emotion. He pulled them both into another hug. "I’m going to try and get you guys tickets to a game or two. It’s a little crazy right now because there aren’t a lot to go around. The players are all vying for a small, reserved amount of seats. If I manage to score some for a game in Vegas, would you guys come? I’ll pay for your flight and hotel."

“We couldn’t ask you to do that,” Madison protested.

“I’d do it because I want you there. You’re family,” he said gently.

"Then we’d happily accept. I hope we can see you play!" Tabby said.

He and Holly hung out outside with them while they waited for their Uber, and once they were inside the car, they rolled down the window and waved.

"Go Kingsnakes!" Madison yelled, and Tabitha laughed. "Bye, Eli."

He waved at them, unable to hide his grin, then turned to Holly as the car pulled away. "So this is what it's like to have sisters?"

She smirked. "I wouldn't know. I don't have any myself. But I think they like you just fine."

Eli shoved his hands in his pockets. “As pissed off as I am at my old man, I can’t thank him enough for those two." He shook his head. "And I have you to thank, too."

Holly frowned. "Me?"

"Yeah. You brought me the letters to read. Knowing that you had read them made me want to read them." He tipped her chin up. "I can't thank you enough for that. Ever."

"I'm glad this day ended on a happy note for you."

He slung an arm around her shoulders as they walked to the car. "Me, too. I sure as hell needed some happiness. Now, we just need to win this series, and I'll be even happier."