Hot Shot by Pratt Lulu

Author:Pratt, Lulu
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lulu Pratt
Published: 2020-04-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

RYDER

HOLY FUCK.

I read the article, stunned by the story it told. Elyse wasn’t mentioned by name in the piece due to her age, but I recognized she shared her last name with the victim. I knew it was her who suffered so much, and a lot made sense now.

Her mother had been murdered in a robbery at her home, and Elyse had been there at the time, hiding. Her mother’s murderer was never caught. I didn’t know how much Elyse remembered about it or what she’d seen, but I thought back to the night of my game. She came to watch me play hockey and left before I ever got to see her. I saw fear in her face when we met to talk about it, and she told me that she didn’t like violence and aggression. I just didn’t know it went back to something like this.

“This is why the game scared you. This is the reason I scare you,” I murmured as she gave me a puzzled look.

“You didn’t scare me. Not that. Life scares me.” Her words were honest, and I blinked at her. “My dad faded away after that night, and I stayed with my grandma a lot when I was younger. I was close to my aunt as well. They did a good job of trying to be mother figures to me, but I always felt the void without her. I was little when she died, but there are so many good memories that I play in my head like a movie. It was a hard time, and I withdrew. I just went to school and did well and otherwise hid from everything. I was lucky to meet Tori in my first year in high school, and we connected right away. She’s one of the few who knows about that from me directly.” She waved her hand towards my phone and sipped her tea again.

I noted that she managed only a few bites of food and held back the urge to tell her to finish it. Elyse was a bit of a mess right now, but I knew she needed time. Despite her past, I’d be the one to stay and fix her.

“I’m glad you’re willing to share this with me.” I covered her hand with mine, and she looked at me with shimmering eyes. I reached that same arm around her to pull her close as she cried into my chest. It was the soft cries of a woman who had done a lot of it in her short life. I stroked her hair and murmured words of comfort, giving her the time to let it all out.

“God, I’m a hot mess. I’m sorry.” Elyse wiped her eyes as she leaned her head forward.

“It’s fine. You can grieve.” I thought to myself how beautiful she looked, showing me this side of her. “In fact, feel free to do it anytime. I’m here for you, Elyse.” Her eyes widened slightly at my words, and I nodded gently.

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