Chapter 45 An Unpleasant Visit

Chapter 45 An Unpleasant Visit
BARTH’S POV:

“Boys!” Coach yells out as he walks into the locker room. 

The boys grunt out answers as they each filed out in their gears. All of us look fierce because the ice is a battlefield—my rage field.

His eyes scan the room and lands briefly on me, giving me a curt nod, he continues looking at the other. The noise slowly dies down.

“Tonight is the night. You all have trained for this, I expect you to go out there, give them a show and put in your best. Get those legs and arms into use out there! I’m not accepting failures. They are the Wolverines but we are the Ive Wolves and we will show them who is boss!”

“Yes, Coach!” We thunder. 

Coach claps each of us on the back as we file out of the room. Tennis and I exchanged looks and I give him a nod which he returns.

The lights appear, blinding me for a second as soon as we stepped onto the ice. It takes me a minute to adjust to the harsh exposure. By instinct, my eyes goes up to the private booth my family is meant to be.

I spot Yvonne in the corner with her mom, they seemed to be preoccupied with something—someone speaking to them. Even from here, I could see how pale Yvonne looks as she stares at whoever that is.

I squint my eyes a bit, trying to see who they are talking to and pupils widen. Is that who I think it is?

My blood boils over instantly!

What the hell is she doing here?!

“Barth, focus!” A voice rang out beside me, followed by a rough shove. 

I blink, staking on the ice as the whistle signaling the beginning of the game rings out few seconds later. 

I try to shove the image out of my head, trying hard not to look back up there and focus down here, where I am much needed. 

The game against the Wolverines is an intense one. By the time it ends, my body is all sore. My fingers feel numb but it was worth it. We had won!

A solid 11-8!

As soon as we arrive at the locker room, I take off all my gears, tap my teammates and hand out, ignoring the calls of my coach which I might be penalised later with more laps than usual. But I have something more important to take care of and that was my mother.

“Why are you here?” 

I hear Valerie ask immediately I step into the booth. 

Cecilia chuckles before giving out a frown. “You know why am I here, woman. This is my son’s game and I’m his mother and I have every right to be here unlike you.”

“You don’t!” My deep voice rang out attracting all attention to me. 

My jaw twiched as soon as our eyes meet and I’m full with disgust just at the sight of seeing this woman. I loathe her so much. 

Her face softens instantly as she walks towards me, her eyes brightening up with a big smile while she reaches out for me but I take a step back.

Cecilia’s face falls but the smile returns immediately, her hands recoiling back. “That was a good game, son.”

“What are you doing here?”

I watch as she flinches from my harsh tone but my face doesn’t change a bit. 

She swallows hard before she replies. “I came to watch you play. I know how much you loved it when I came to your games—“

“—When you were still my mother,” I cut in. “And now, you are not, and I don’t want you anywhere near my family. Leave!”

“Barth—“ she reaches out again to hold me.

“Leave now!” My voice thunders in the booth attracting the attention of others.

I could see Yvonne’s face swirling with pity. But there was no need to pity such a woman who would leave her son for years. She deserves no sympathy from anyone and not even me!

She gives a defeated nod and walks away. The clacking of her heels against the marble floor as she goes doesn’t give me peace but makes me feel hollow. 

My shoulders drop.

“Barth,” a soft voice calls out, followed by tiny hands carassing my cheeks.

I open my eyes, my lips part but no words come out.

“Are you okay?” Yvonne asks, concern and worry in her eyes. 

I nod.

“I just want to be alone,” I say after finally finding my voice.

“Seeing your mother again must be a lot,” this time, Valerie speaks but my eyes never Yvonne. “We will take our leave now.”

Yvonne stares at me hesitantly. I give out a stiff smile, while holding her hands.

“I will be fine. Me and the boys will be going out to celebrate.”

Deep down inside me I know that’s a lie. Seeing my mother has eaten me deeper than I thought. I definitely won’t be celebrating with anyone but myself. I laughed inwardly at that thought. 

Yvonne slowly nods. “Okay.”

She sends one last look my way before leaving with her mother and I could feel my cold heart shattering slowly into many pieces.

…

“Drink up boys! This will be the best night of our lives!” Ryan’s voice rang out against the blasting loud hip hop music in the VIP lounge of the club.

The boys cheer on, taking shot upon shots of alcohol. Laugher filling the air as they clink their glasses together. Girls in questionable outfits rocking some of the boys. 

I sit in a secluded corner with a bottle of whiskey in hand watching it all unfold. I had told myself I wouldn’t be here but the boys won me over and now, I don’t know whether I made the wrong or right choice. 

“Come on, Vanguard,” Tennis’s voice hovered over me. I glanced up at him. “Loosen up! You have sulking since the game.”

He slumped on the couch I am seated on and I shifted sideways a little, not even bothered by the smell of the alcohol in his mouth.

“Whatever is wrong with you man, take one of these girls offering theirselves to you and go enjoy yourself. Forget it all!” He laughs, taking a sip from his glass.

I glanced at him and shake my head. Giving him a friendly tap, I stand up.

“Enjoy the party and the girls, man. I’m going home.”

“Tsk! You’re no fun!” He yells at my retreating back as I make my way out of the club.