27. Tyler

The bruise I got on my shoulder is starting to get visible and I couldn't help but flinch everytime I try to move it. The game againsts Smashers during the opening game was intense but gladly, we won against them with a 3-2 score.

Pre-season games are a bit exhausting if your playing for the World Hockey League, the constant travel from countries to countries and practice games not minding about jetlag is a lot. But it's a matter of getting used to it.

As I drive on my way home, my phone started ringing and it's Elise. We've been talking constantly these days too since McCovey is also on the road for the European Division games so she has all the time to call me.

"Hey hot stuff." She greeted. "How was the game?"

"Pretty pumping." I replied stepping on the brakes as I approach the curve heading to my house' gate, when I suddenly saw a familiar figure hopping out of a honda civic car.

It's Keya, holding a few bags of groceries being followed by a guy holding bags of groceries too entering the back gate of my house. Who the hell is he? And what does Keya think that she can let some strangers inside my house?

"Elise, can I call you later?" I talked to Elise cutting her off, I wasn't able to hear what she was blabbing about because I just feel so pissed right now.

I immediately went inside the gates and parked my car on the parking lot after I ended up the call. I didn't went inside the house, but instead, I went straight to the back of the house where Keya and her visitor is at.

When I arrived, she is already closing the gates and was about to gather her groceries inside her room.

"Who was that?" I asked, she was a bit surprised when she spotted me.

"Oh! Uhm..." She replied right after she recovers. "That was Thomas, the guy I was paired on a project that I was talking about few days ago."

"Oh so you're letting people now inside my house? Or maybe telling people about where you live?" I snapped. "Are you secretly throwing parties inside my house when I am not around?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" She said putting the groceries she was holding on the ground. "The guy was just kind enough to help me carry my groceries and I didn't even let him in! I just ordered him to put the groceries here, what is wrong with you?"

She sighed putting her two hands up on his waist.

"I fucking know your bullshit house rules Tyler, and I am not dumb! I definitely know my limitations."

"You have broke my rules before yo--"

"I know that! But it doesn't mean you have to be so mean and snapped at me like that!"

She cuts me off.

"Accusing me with things that I didn't even do in the first place, but because you have so many issues you immediately point out your fingers at me with the things that are all caused by your overthinking!"

"What issues? Stop talking to me like you know me."

"Then you should stop doing that to me too!" She exclaimed, crying. I have never seen her like this angry before.

"You've been treating me like a garbage in here. You're treating me less than a human Tyler. It doesn't mean that I am just a random girl that you got knocked up means you already have the right to judge me and think that I am low a ass bitch that an asshole like you can just step on anytime you want! I am more than you think I am Hollis!"

She wipes her tears like it's the most annoying thing in the world. "I don't know what is wrong with you for treating me like this but one thing I want to tell you, I haven't wronged you and I don't deserve the way you treat me."

And right after she said those words she grabbed her bag of groceries and stormed out getting inside of the house using the back door.

I was left there dumbfounded, realizing what I have done and contemplating on the things she have said.

She was right, I wasn't thinking straight. I was so blinded by our situation and on how huge of a stranger she is.

She's carrying my baby by accident caused by both of our irresponsibility and I act and treat her like I blame her for the whole entire thing.

I was an asshole. Fuck!

I stayed there for a whole minute, seating at one of the chairs in mini patio of the yard. Now I am guilty!

I acted like I am not the father of her child, instead of checking up on her on what she's been doing. I ignored her, I only gave her money without asking what she's been through.

I stared blankly on the ground not until I saw a notebook underneath the table, with Keya's full name written on the cover.

I opened it out of curiousity and read a letter. Is this her journal?

I was supposed to return it just so I have the chance to follow her on her room and apologize for what I did but I chose not to.

For sure, she doesn't want to talk to me yet. I let her feel upset of me big time, so maybe I'll just give her some space to breathe.

Instead of returning it, I found myself opening it. And a piece of paper fell on the ground, it was a letter addressed to her mom.

(Mom,

I didn't know how to start this, and I don't know how will I tell you. If you're reading this then I'm probably still a huge ass coward and wasn't able to come home. But I just don't want to see the disappointments on your face.

You have keep on telling me about not to be a victim, and to never be like a single-mom like you. But sadly, I did.

I got knocked up by a random guy I don't even know mom. I swear, it kills me everyday that I let that happen. That I was so irresponsible. I see myself regretting every single day of my life by disappointing you and my brother Kam. However, I didn't regret keeping the baby. I know nothing about being a single mom but I can do it, you raised me to be a strong woman like you.

I hope that you one day, you'll accept me and my future baby.

Love,

Keya)

I sighed after reading the letter.

It just made me realize even more that I was so selfish. She's struggling about our situation and I chose to be an asshole who did nothing but insult her, mistreat her.

Damn! I have to make amends.

-

The next day, I went into Keya's room intending to invite her for breakfast but she's gone to school very early. I also did tried to text her asking if what time will she be home, but there's no answer.

It's my day-off today and I have a guesting at one of the sports network station in an hour with Martin, for sure I'll be home late so she's probably asleep when I get home.

I seriously want to apologize to her. To be honest, I didn't get much sleep because I was thinking about her and how huge of a jerk I was. I totally starting to regret what I did to her. I regret screaming at her and scolding her because of some silly bullshit reasons.

Martin picks me up at the house to go to the tv station. I am not in the mood to drive right now, since my shoulder still aches due to the huge bruise on it.

When he arrives at the house holding a bag of grocery I started to wonder.

"Since when did you learn how to bring food when you visit someone in their own house?" I said adjusting my tie.

"This isn't for you." He replied. "These are for Keya, is she around?"

"No. She's home around seven or eight." I replied and checked the bag of groceries that he puts on my couch. "Seriously, gummy bears?"

"That's one of her cravings!" Martin answered. "You know for a start you should know the cravings of your baby-mama."

"I know that she craves for gummy bears. I even bought her a huge bag of it before but I just don't approve of it." I said. "It's just not healthy for the baby."

"Whatever." Martin said rolling his eyes. "But give that to her once she gets home."

"So you guys are close now huh? How many times did you guys hangout behind my back?" I asked out of curiousity since Martin do acts like they have been friends for so long now.

"Just once. That was when you scolded her for wandering around your house."

"I actually regret that I did that. I wasn't treating her right." I fessed up sitting on the couch across from my friend.

"You finally addressed the elephant in the room! Thank fuck!" He shouted. "Did you know how scary Keya gets when she's angry?"

"I had my fair share of that last night." I said. "She finally snapped at me."

"What happened?"

"I accused her on letting some random people inside my house, just because a friend of hers was kind enough to help her carry her groceries." I said sighing. "I hate myself for being such an overthinker and an asshole Martin."

"Not all people are mean Tyler, and learn how to trust people." He adviced. "A friendly advise, get to know your baby-mama even more. She's a great woman, I can really tell."

Martin is right, the only thing that is wrong with me is that I keep on judging her because of the one mistake that she did, but I refused to get to know her.

I was a selfish prick, and it's time to own that in front of Keya.