Free Breakaway by Vera Roberts

 
    One
    The output of support was
overwhelming.
    Fans from all over the world, people
he didn’t even think would watch hockey, had been sending him
condolences left and right. Of course, there were a few unsavory
characters that were selfish in their well wishes – hoping his
grief wouldn’t impact his play on the ice too hard. Dean Winchester
shrugged it off. For every ten people, there was going to be at
least one asshole.
    Nevertheless, he needed to brush aside
all anguish and hurt. He needed to be back in Los Angeles before
tomorrow night’s game. His coach suggested he take more off in
dealing with his grief but Dean wouldn’t hear of it. He needed to
be on the ice to be distracted.
    He sat down on the porch outside,
sipping hot chocolate and checking his Twitter mentions when his
mother joined him. “I was looking for you. I was hoping you didn’t
take off before I had a chance to say goodbye.” Melissa Winchester
sat next to her youngest son. Slender with long blonde hair and
sharp hazel eyes, Melissa prided herself on being the biggest
cheerleader for her children. Both of her sons credited her
unwavering support as a big factor in their successes.
    “Nah, I wouldn’t leave without saying
goodbye to my favorite girl.” Dean smiled. “I was just out here
reflecting on everything.”
    Melissa smiled and took a sip of hot
chocolate. “Your dad was very proud of you, Dean. He watched all of
the games and bragged to everyone he knew that his son was the
NHL’s leading scorer,” Melissa smiled. “And when you won the
Stanley Cup last season, he really couldn’t shut up about
it!”
    Dean grinned. If anyone
loved hockey, it was his father. He was the reason why Dean picked
up a hockey stick to begin with. Years of ice skating lessons
followed and a successful career in college where he scouted by
many different teams, he signed with the Los Angeles Kings and
transported himself to a land of debauchery, beaches, and women. He
offered to move his family to L.A. but his father wouldn’t hear of
it. We’re based here and we’re staying
here , he once proclaimed. It didn’t mean
they wouldn’t visit but if Dean wanted more than a weeklong stay
from his folks and brother, it meant him going to
Chicago.
    The last time he was in Chicago, it
was during the summer after he won the Cup. He was allowed to bring
it with him and everyone took turns posing and taking pictures with
it. His father got a real kick out of it and used the cup as a
makeshift margarita bowl for a family celebration in Dean’s
honor.
    Dean didn’t realize he would be back
so soon under more unfortunate circumstances. “He was always a huge
hockey fan.” He stated.
    “He was your number fan!” Melissa
grinned. “I want you to remember that as you travel
back.”
    “I’ll never forget it,” Dean shuddered
a little as a cold gush swept through the front porch. “The offer
to move to L.A. still stands, Mom.”
    “My life is here in Lincoln Park.” She
proudly stated. “I’ve been here all my life and I don’t plan on
leaving quite yet. Besides you need to come back to when times get
hard again.”
    Dean was about to ask her what she
meant but it occurred to him she was talking about the infamous
lockouts in 2004 and 2012. He went to Europe to play and keep up on
his skills, refusing to be a sitting doormat at his home in
Manhattan Beach. When the negotiations concluded, Dean returned
home and completed the season along with his fellow teammates. “I
wouldn’t say things were hard, per se.” Dean recalled, fondly
remember the time he spent entertaining groupies between games.
“But it wasn’t ideal, yes.”
    “Still, you have a place to come home
if that happens again. Heaven forbid…” Melissa shook her
head.
    “I’m pretty comfortable if you’re
inquiring about me financially,” Dean politely reminded his mother.
Despite signing a huge multimillion-dollar contract, his mother
somehow got in her head that he was still