Wild Tendy (IceCats 2)

When the door opens, I wipe off my hands as I say, “Welcome to Willz. Give me one second.”

I turn just as Nico’s mom reaches the counter. “Hello, Aviva.”

My heart kicks up in speed as I put down the towel. “Hey, Myra. How are you?”

“Well, thank you.” She looks around, a small smile on her lips. “This is a wonderful place.”

“Thank you.”

“Willz?”

“My mom’s name was Willow, and she wanted it to be like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, so she added the z.” I tuck my hands into my apron. “Can I get you something?”

She shakes her head. “No, I’m not hungry. I came to apologize.”

I pause and then slowly cross my arms. “I don’t feel that you owe me one. It’s more to Nico than anything.”

She nods. “I know, and I have apologized to him, but…” She pauses to clear her throat. She sets her large purse on the counter and folds her hands on top of it. “I need you to know how overprotective I am of him.”

I hold her dark brown gaze. “I don’t blame you. I’d be the same—well, I am with Callie.”

She quirks her lips. “That girl is a firecracker.”

I’m still embarrassed. “She is, and sometimes that’s an issue.”

She slowly shakes her head. “It’s not. I thought I was the only one who would ever be able to defend or stand up for Nico, but she proved me wrong. If the way she acted is how you would handle things, I have nothing to worry about.”

I clear my throat. I was terrified this lady would hate me. “You don’t. I would be the same way.”

She looks away and draws in a deep breath through her nose. “Nico, ah, my Nico is a blessing. I was with a horrid man, but Nico was the light. When he was diagnosed, I was scared that I couldn’t love him right, and I suspect that’s also why his father left. He was a coward.”

He sure as hell was. Bastard. I look up just as she does, her gaze holding mine, and I see such pain in her eyes.

“I know I overstepped, and I hope you don’t think I’m an awful person. For so long, he was unable to tell me what he felt. Then when he figured it out, he was made fun of. Kids were awful to him, calling him names that still hurt me to this day. When he asked to play hockey, I knew it was what he needed. I didn’t know at the time he was using the gear to hide from the bullies, but it helped. It made him who he is today.”

My heart aches for the boy Nico was. Then I remember the helmet in his kitchen. “Does he still do that?”

She nods. “There is a helmet he uses at home to recenter himself. It’s hard for him to stop feeling fear when it comes.”

My stomach twists for him as she goes on.

“He’s always been loud, quirky, and with no filter whatsoever, but what I’ve noticed lately is that he’s been slowing down. He never listened before, never paid attention. He always just jumped and did what he wanted without caring about anyone. He didn’t have girlfriends because they didn’t understand him, and he didn’t slow down enough to think of what they were feeling. With Shelli, it was like that. He didn’t pay attention to what she was doing and saying; he just felt. A lot. She was pushing him away the whole time, just wanting sex from him.”

I clear my throat. I hate the jealousy that is eating at me. “Did he love her?”

She shakes her head. “No, he was infatuated with her. He wanted to love her, and I thought that when she chose the other man, it would ruin relationships for Nico. I was very wrong.”

I find myself holding my breath as she exhales. With her eyes on me, she says, “Lately, I’ve noticed a huge difference. I thought it was the new therapist, but then I watched him with you and Callie, and I knew it was you two. He doesn’t want to mess this up, and it thrills me.” She reaches over, taking my hand in hers. “Thank you. Thank you for being kind to my son, for being patient and for loving him, because he loves you with his whole soul.”

Everything stops. Do I love Nico? “He makes it easy.”

She laughs. “Nothing about Nico is easy.”

“That’s the damn truth,” I say with a grin. “But at the end of the day, he makes me happy.”

“As do you for him. It’s incredible to watch. I’m so happy for you two and Callie. He has taken to her completely.”

I smile. “I love their relationship. Even with the ten-year gap, they act the same age.”

She laughs. “They’re both very lucky to have you.”