Chapter

    Chapter Fifteen: You might be a masochist

    LYRIC POV

    "Orders up!" Sasha yelled urgently.

    Pizza and Stuff had its biggest day; we were packed with hungry hockey players and their fans. Some were pretty angry.

    The Velmont Sharks won, so the whole town was out celebrating. For pizza lovers, this restaurant was the right move, except for those who wished to drive two hours to the next pizza place.

    Hence, Lelli took the opportunity and increased the prices double. It happened whenever tourists were in town or during games like this. Even motels doubled their prices.

    For me, I got three extra dollars per hour. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

    Grabbing the order, I carried each plate in both hands, making my way outside where they ate. The smells of sweat and women's perfume almost knocked me off my feet. I drew in a sharp breath, my heart racing. So many people. Puck bunnies, fans, hockey players, other jocks, normal customers and me.

    It was never a good sign.

    "Hey!" a voice called out.

    My head automatically swiveled towards the voice - it was Aaron and his entire team. My eyes scanned the group, and when they fell on Gavin, my heart skipped a beat. It felt like I died for a moment.

    There was a foreign face in their presence; he also wore the hockey outfit and was Asian. He stood out like a sore thumb, but being incredibly handsome made him sort of blend in. It was complicated.

    Taking in another sharp breath, I plastered a smile on my face and walked towards them.

    "Why are you're cheeks so red?" Aaron asked teasingly, his eyes dancing with amusement.

    "It might be the kitchen, " another person replied.

    The group laughed, except Gavin. His mouth set in a thin line, and I could notice his jaw ticking. He wasn't in a good mood.

    "Ignore my team here," Aaron chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Let me introduce you - team, meet my sister's best friend, Lyric Spencer."

    I smiled politely, wishing he could wrap it up. Gavin looked up from the menu, and our eyes collided. Why was I staring at him? I looked away.

    "This is Liam Black, our left wing," the guy with grey eyes and black curly hair nodded at me, and I smiled.

    He threw his arm, pointing at another man with beautiful, warm hazel and brown hair. "Meet Jaxson Jenkins, aka J-bomb, our right wing."

    Jaxson winked at me, and I chuckled.

    "Have you met Mason Kane, our defenseman?" he elbowed the dude sitting next to him. Kane smiled, all teeth, and it warmed my heart. I was amazed by his curly auburn hair and bright green eyes that were fixed on mine.

    "Finally, we're honored to introduce our new family member, Shady," he said.

    It was the Asian guy with black and brown hair. He ran his fingers through his thick hair and laughed. "I am Shawn. Shawn Hunter!"

    Shawn Hunter?

    My eyes widened in shock, and out of excitement, I signed my name. When I was done, Shawn looked at me, his brows furrowed, clearly confused. It gave me a sick feeling in my stomach.

    We used to play together when we were kids, his family was the only Asian family in Velmont until his mother divorced his father.

    His cheeks turned red. "Sorry, I don't understand."

    Next to him, Gavin grunted, stating the obvious, "She is introducing herself."

    "Oh.."

    Next, Gavin grabbed his jacket and left the crew. Everyone stared at him in shock, except for Aaron, though.

    Aaron smiled knowingly, shaking his head. "He'll be back.'' his smile grew wider when he worked his eyes back to me. ''Thank you, Lyric, for the food."

    As if on cue, I plastered my best smile and practically ran off there. Why did I think Shawn would recognize me?

    When we were kids, we fondly called him Min-soo. I guessed he couldn't recognize me because back then, I could speak. I could laugh. I could scream. I could tell people to leave without fearing they would misunderstand.

    Sigh.

    For now, I needed to go back to work. The warm air of the kitchen welcome me back, I carried out a few orders. And when it was my break, instead of resting/eating like the others.

    Instead, I snuck out through the backdoor, feeling suffocated by everything. The air was fresh, and I could easily spot the sun overhead. My father always said "A sunny day is a good day to sweat."

    " Do you also sneak here to smoke?"

    My heart almost skipped a beat at that voice. I swirled around to find Gavin Hawkins, with one knee against the wall and a cigarette stick in his mouth. The expensive kind. I knew because my uncle would always bring those back home; he would say it was his dream to 'Live fancy' or die early. Whatever.

    I shook my head, turning to leave.

    "Are you avoiding me?"

    I stopped, licked my lips, and turned, schooling my face into indifference. Of course I was ignoring him.

    "Don't play dumb," he said, taking a loud draw from his cigarette and puffing out the smoke.

    His beautiful eyes, shone with deep sincerity, "I just wanted to say sorry. I was an asshole to you, I should have helped, but I didn't. I told you to fight for yourself, and when you did, I didn't help you. I'm sorry."

    What?

    Did I hear that right?

    Gavin Hawkins apologized?

    In an instant, I rubbed my eyes and bit my lips hard. When I opened them, he was still there, watching me. There was a look in his eyes that I couldn't understand. It was almost distant or pained.

    I couldn't read it, as it was only a flash before he wore that stupid poker face. After another puff, he said softly, "You're nothing like her, you know."

    What?

    Who?

    "She only knows how to hurt people. You? Might be a masochist, Lyric." His gaze shifted behind me, and I noticed him pull his legs down, looking anxious.

    Who was behind me? Before I could check __

    Gavin tipped an imaginary hat at me. "Hope you have a wonderful day." He halved-smile.

    He left me dazed, with a half-smoked cigarette on the floor. Maybe he changed his mind? I stared at the cigarette thinking about my uncle I had not seen in weeks.

    Could he have died? Was it wrong that twenty percent of me was glad about it? And even once or perhaps thrice prayed for it?

    Whatever. I had bills to pay.

    ###

    I could swear that Gavin had his two fingers crossed when he wished me a wonderful day. It wasn't. It was awful.

    I closed at Pizza n Stuff, very late, almost midnight. I had to run under the rain because I lost my umbrella on the bus earlier.

    The blue coat over my white dress was completely soaked, and I was shivering too. The cold wind felt like karma for something I did in my past life.

    "Default," a voice said.

    My heart stopped at the sound of the voice. I drew a sharp breath, hiding my shaking hands behind my back. It was my uncle Freddy.

    I could recognize his voice even in a storm.

    In a car? A red car. I was too poor to know the model or type. Just a small red car to me. It looked okay.

    This was suspicious. My uncle was too poor to buy a bicycle. A car? New one. Never. Not especially a beautiful looking one like this.

    Even the lottery was too good for him.

    "Don't look at my new wife that way, she might get jealous and kill herself," he said, a wry smile on his lips.

    At his joke, I felt bile run up my throat, and I felt nauseated. He was a disgusting man after all. I pinned my gaze on his every move as he cornered me, my stomach twisting when he touched my elbow.

    His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Get in." Uncle Freddy was hard, meaning he was not drunk. Yet.

    My eyes searched the area for anyone. I didn't want to get in the car with him. Or even under his stinky roof. I had no choice then neither would I ever have.

    Anger rippled over his face, he shouted through gritted teeth which startled me "I said get in, motherfucker!"

    I nodded frantically and got into the car, regretting it to this day.