“Stella, I would never say you’re naïve. I’m pretty sure you’re more mature than I am now,” Audrey says, grinning. “You’ve always known what you want.”
“Always. Your ambition is incredible,” Mom says. “But to me, you’re still my little girl with a huge-ass bow on your head.” My lips curve, thankful for the moment when I figured out I could take off the bows and throw them away. They were not my style at all. “But truth be told, I met your dad at nineteen, loved him with my whole soul, and that love never stopped. I know what you’re feeling is real, and you know I support you, no matter what. Daddy will come around. You know how he is. You’re his baby, and no man is good enough for you. Not even that sweet-faced sweetheart Wesley.”
I know what she means, but the negative part of my brain wants me to believe that neither of them would be supportive of my career change. But her eyes tell me differently. My heart wants different. If Wes were here, he’d tell me it would be different. He wouldn’t let it be anything bad. I saw that when we went out with Aiden and everyone. Wes is so compassionate, so encouraging. He would fight an army for me. And I only love him more.
“Agreed,” Audrey says as she goes to wash her hands. “We are all on Team Stella.”
“We are,” Mom says proudly, and I hand off the trays to Audrey before helping put the rest in. “Wow, you two have become a well-oiled little machine! It’s impressive.”
Audrey looks over her shoulder at me, and I swear, I go into deer-in-headlights mode. This is my chance! I can tell her, she’s Team Stella, but nothing leaves my lips.
Instead, Audrey says, “She’s my favorite cupcake partner.” She waits for me, searching my gaze. “You know she made the cupcakes for Aiden and Shelli’s party.”
I can’t look at my mom; I even look away from Audrey. “Really? Those were my favorite! Hell, Stell, you may need to give up design and go for cupcakes.”
Audrey’s eyes burn a hole in my head, but I don’t say anything.
Like a fucking coward.
* * *
“Ugh, it was so pathetic. I had the perfect opening, and Audrey was so annoyed with me.”
Wes gives me a sympathetic look over FaceTime. “You should have just said it, babe.”
“I know,” I groan, covering my face with my hand and leaning my head against the headrest of my car. “I feel so dumb.”
“Not dumb, just scared. It’s understandable. But now you know you have their support.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, unsure if that’s true.
“Stella, you do.”
I uncover my face, gazing at him. He’s all wet from the shower he took after his skate. The Assassins are doing okay on the road trip, but Wes doesn’t feel they’ll make the play-offs. I know he isn’t the only one who feels everything is a little fucked up. It’s all Boon and Aiden talked about at brunch. It’ll be the first time the Assassins haven’t made the play-offs since Elli Adler took over, I think.
But I don’t know if Wes is worried about it. He is playing his best every night. It’s a team effort. We’re only a week into the road trip, and it’s been hard, but I also love that I am learning so much about his career. Like that Wes hates when the ice time is in the afternoon; he’d rather it be in the morning. Which reminds me, he had therapy, and I would really like a subject change. “Anyway—”
He rolls his eyes. “You know I’m right. Hell, you were a boss, telling Aiden and Shelli and everyone.”
I look down at my lap. I’m dressed for my shift at the restaurant. I took a double since Wes isn’t home.
“How about when I get home, we’ll go over and do it together?”
He’s offered this before, but maybe now it’s time. “Yes, please.”
“Absolutely. I’ll even have a shirt made that says, ‘I love Stella’s cupcakes.’”
I give him a look. “Please don’t. Knowing my dad, he’ll think it’s something sexual, and he’ll lose his shit.”
His laugh makes me smile, but I groan, “I miss you.”
His grin falls away. “I miss you more.”
It makes me feel better that he’s missing me too, but man, I hate the space between us. “How was therapy today?”
Wes nods, wiping his mouth. “Good, we talked about us, and Noelle is very proud of my progress.”
“That’s awesome. I know you were worried.”
“I was. I keep hearing that awful chick in my head, but Noelle isn’t her.”
“Exactly what I was going to say. I’m happy. Are you happy?”
“Beyond happy,” he says with a wink, and of course, I swoon. “She also likes that we’re doing that daily dating challenge.”
I beam, proud of myself for finding the program. It’s designed for long-distance relationships, but Emery helped me adapt it for us. Lots of cutting and pasting were done, but I’m happy with the outcome. “Did you give me all the credit?”