Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)(67)

All I know is that I want to see her, to be around her.

I was tempted to tell her the best day to meet me was the day after I left because that’s how impulsive I’m feeling with her, but I didn’t want Hallie to miss a Friday or Saturday night shift at the bar, assuming those are the nights she makes the most in tips.

Plus, choosing today means we have the night off, and with multiple teams within driving distance, we’re staying in the city for an entire week, instead of only a night or two like we do whenever we travel anywhere else.

I just had to be patient, which isn’t always my strong suit.

As I wait for the rest of my teammates, my phone rings. I’m expecting to see Hallie’s name on the screen, maybe calling to tell me she checked into the hotel, but it’s not her. It’s my mom.

I’ll admit, I haven’t been answering her calls as often as I usually do, and that’s entirely due to the fact she doesn’t know Hallie moved to Chicago. I don’t want to tell her, but I’m also terrible at lying to the woman.

Hence the avoidance, but it’s Sunday and I don’t go a Sunday without speaking to her.

So, I answer the phone. “Hey, Ma.”

“Hey, Ma?” she asks, outraged. “Hey, Ma? You avoid my calls all week and when you finally answer it’s with a ‘Hey, Ma’?”

I laugh. “Your accent gets thicker when you’re pissed.”

“Oh, you little shit. You’re going to put me in an early grave. You know that?”

“I’m sorry. It’s been a busy week.”

“Good game today, Tesoro. I saw that assist, but I’m still annoyed with you that you didn’t want me to come up to New York. It’s a short flight.”

“The airports are nuts this time of the year.”

“I could’ve driven. Taken the train.”

“Too much sitting. I’ll be in Boston on my next road trip. You and the whole neighborhood are coming to the game, right?”

“Of course we are. I can’t wait. I got these shirts made with your face on it and we’re going to be so loud, you’ll be able to hear us from the ice.”

“I have no doubt about that. See? You didn’t need to come today. You’ll see me play soon.”

She sighs. “At least next year you’ll be living here again, and I can go to every one of your home games.”

I try to keep my voice low because my teammates are starting to filter onto the bus. “Ma, I haven’t signed with Boston yet. That’s not a done deal.”

“Oh, Rio. Come on. We both know it’s going to happen. It’s your childhood dream! Don’t doubt yourself.”

It’s not my ability that I’m doubting.

I swiftly change the subject. “What’s for Sunday dinner?”

“Lasagna and a roast chicken.”

She mentions only two courses, but I know she’s probably whipped up about five.

“Your uncle Mikey has been here all day helping,” she adds.

“You let Uncle Mikey into your kitchen?”

“Oh God, no. But he did take out the trash, so that was nice. Changed a few lightbulbs that I couldn’t reach and tightened that loose stair railing.”

“Ma, I told you I would do all that when I got there.”

“I know, but he offered, so I figured it’d keep you from doing chores for me on your one day in town.”

I make a mental note to thank my dad’s brother when I see him next. With my mom living alone, I get worried about her keeping up that old house all on her own and try to do as much handiwork as I can when I go back to visit.

It’s not necessarily the appeal of fulfilling my childhood dream that has me considering free agency for Boston. It’s my mom being alone in that house and having no one to help her as she’s getting older.

Zee takes the row behind me, leaning forward and crossing his arms on the back of my seat. “Oh, is that—”

I slap a hand over his mouth before he can say Hallie’s name, trying to silently communicate not to say shit about her. “It’s my mother.”

“Oooh,” he draws out, understanding. “Hi, Mrs. D!”

“Hi, Zee!” Pulling my phone away from my ear, I put it on speaker. “Are you going to come see me when you’re in town?”

“Absolutely. Stevie is bummed she won’t get to see you, though.”

“Oh, I miss her. I miss all of you. I need to plan a trip out to Chicago soon.”

“We’d love that.”

A text drops onto the screen and we both look down to see Hallie’s name.



H  : Just checked into the hotel.



I give Zanders that look again, silently begging him not to say anything while my mom is on the line.

“Rio, honey, I’ve got to get going,” she says. “The neighborhood is starting to show up for dinner.”

“Okay, Ma. Have a good time. Love you.”

“Yeah. Okay. Love you too.” She rushes me off the phone before her loud Italian voice excitedly calls out someone’s name—whoever just walked through her door—before she hangs up the phone on me.

“Are you sure your mother even loves you?” Zee asks over my shoulder.