02. Keys

"I know you probably have other family and stuff so I'm sorry if I'm intruding." I began to say, assuming with this big house he must have someone, a girlfriend, a wife maybe another kid or something.

"Nope, you're my family, if you still want to be that is, there's no one else kid, just me and you." He continued to smile at me as he continued to walk into the fancy kitchen which looked incredible.

I followed him before my thoughts wondering in my head decided to spit out.

"Why are you alone in such a big house?" I asked, voicing a thought.

He shrugged before taking a breath which appeared to be him genuinely thinking of an answer.

After another few seconds of shuffling around doing something in the kitchen which I didn't bother to wonder about he began to answer clearing his throat before he spoke.

"I like the space, sometimes my thoughts rush around so fast it's like I don't have space, this house gives me space. It's nice." He shrugged being open and honest with me.

I debated asking him a second question when my mouth was moving too quick to comprehend what I was saying.

"You play hockey?" The question came back as my head nodded to all the trophies in the living room.

"Yeah, I used to. Now I teach it, I'm the coach of the Lakehurst Sirens, the hockey team at the school you're gonna go to. They own a hockey stadium and everything, few schools around here do, were quicker big on hockey in Lakehurst" his tone was excited as he clearly was talking about something he loved.

The mention of hockey made me think back to the days when I used to glide on the ice, before everything changed. It wasn't the same, but... it was close enough.

"Sorry im rambling-" stopping him from apologising further I decided to tell him about me.

"I skate." Was the thing that made him stop saying sorry, his smile grew bigger showing his white teeth.

"Really? Hockey or what?" He questioned placing a hot chocolate in front of me which was probably what he was making the whole time.

I embraced the heat from the mug before answering with a little smile.

Feeling more comfortable with a common subject to talk about

"Figure skating, well I used to do it, not so much now, where I used to live didn't have many ice rinks." I informed him and he smiled.

"Here." He figured with his keys before handing me a two keys that he for some reason had multiple off.

"It's a key to my house- I mean our house and a key to the ice rink, it's a five minute walk from school but the school owns it, all students are allowed in if they have a key." He smiled at me and for the first time in forever an actually grin spread across my face.

"Thank you... so much," I said, my voice thick. Then I hesitated, unsure of how to address him. "Uh... Chris?" The word felt strange in my mouth. What child stumbles over whether they say 'dad' or their dad's actual name.

His smile faltered, just for a second, before he nodded. "You're welcome." His voice was quieter now, and I could tell my slip had shifted something between us. He was probably still trying to figure out where we stood.

•••••••

I stood there, staring at the keys in my hand, the weight of them heavier than I expected. For the first time, something about this house, this place, felt a little less suffocating. A little more like it could be home.

"Thanks," I said again, this time softer, not sure how to keep the conversation going.

Chris gave me a quick nod, then motioned toward the stairs. "Let me show you your room."

I blinked, unsure how to respond. This was it. The moment where everything changed. The moment where I saw how the rest of my life might unfold in this strange house with this strange man.

He led the way, his footsteps steady, and I followed him through the hall, trying to take in the details of the place. The walls were lined with more hockey memorabilia—signed jerseys, pucks in display cases, framed photos of past games. His world, I realized, was all here. Hockey, space, and silence.

At the top of the stairs, he paused at a door at the end of the hallway and pushed it open.

"This is your room," he said, stepping aside to let me in.

I glanced at him, unsure of what to say. "It's—it's nice." The words felt empty, but I was still processing it all. The room was large, with light streaming in through tall windows that overlooked the back yard. It was a clean slate. Everything about it said 'guest room'—fresh, sterile, a little too perfect. A bed with crisp white sheets sat against the far wall, and a small desk was tucked in the corner next to a bookshelf, already half-filled with books that seemed more for show than for actual reading.

The walls were painted a muted blue, calming, but it felt more like a hotel room than anything permanent. Still, it was mine. For now.

As I took a step forward, my eyes caught on something else—a large corkboard on the wall, where a couple of hockey flyers were pinned up, likely from local games. It wasn't much, but it was something familiar.

"Feel free to make it your own," Chris added, sensing my hesitation. He turned to leave, then paused. "I'll let you settle in. I know this is a lot with everything that's happened, and if you need anything or want to talk I'm here."

I nodded offering a warm smile, he really didn't seem like 'a man whore' or a 'prick' and it was messing with my head.

His voice was kind, but distant—like he was still figuring out the space between us.

I nodded. "Thanks, Chris."

"Oh- one more thing, there's training tomorrow morning for the team, they're coming here since we haven't had our team meeting yet, so I know it's uncomfortable but I'd be grateful if you said hi." That's when I was lost for words.

Did he expect me to meet a group of teenage boys, at like six in the morning, that's weird, right? I can't do that! What would I even say?!

"Okay." Was all that came out and I was so annoyed! Why didn't I say no! Fuck my life!

Taking a breath I decided it'll be okay, he probably teaches the Mini's seeing as there's a brochure for young children's hockey on the board. It'll be fine.

Once he was gone, I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do next. I dropped my duffel bag onto the bed, then flopped down beside it. The silence of the house pressed in around me again.

While convincing myself tomorrow would be fine, I would get ready, say hi to some little boys who my kind father teaches and as he takes them to training I'll go off to school.

Easy.

•••••••••

A/N: CHAPTER 2 DONE!!

Words: 1212