Chapter 100 - The Hockey Alpha was My Childhood Sweetheart

I was still shaking even though I knew my father wouldn't be able to get up and hurt me.

Lucas noticed that I was standing shell-shocked and approached me immediately, wrapping me in a comforting hug. I was too stunned to even wrap my arms around him.

I stared down at my unconscious father, his figure sprawled on the living room floor, a stark reminder of everything that had just unfolded.

Lucas's voice cut through the tension, his eyes reflecting concern. "What happened?"

"Kendrick." It was only one word, but it was able to sum everything up. Realization flashed through Lucas's eyes.

"That's why he said this was all my fault?" Lucas asked.

I nodded. "But obviously he's wrong, Lucas. You did nothing wrong, and my father clearly isn't in the place to be starting arguments."

"I know Shana, I'm not upset about that." Lucas pulled back from our hug, staring straight into my eyes. "He could've hurt you if I wouldn't have been able to come back in time."

"But you did," I said. "And that's all that matters."

Lucas considered me for a moment before stepping back. "Shana, your eyes…”

“What?” I frowned.

“Nothing…” Lucas looked away.

“There must be something, Lucas,” I said, my mind reeling from my father’s reaction earlier. “My father also said something my eyes.”

I ran to the bathroom. However, after I turned on the light and looked into the mirror, I couldn’t find anything wrong with the person in the mirror, except her pale, scared face.

“I told you. It’s nothing.” Lucas's voice came from behind me. “Now we should go. Pack your things quickly."

His words snapped me out of my daze, the reality of the situation sinking in. I nodded, my hands trembling as I moved upstairs to my room.

The weight of the past ten minutes lay heavy on my shoulders. What had started off as a fun evening with my closest friends had spiraled into a series of events that I could never imagined or envisioned.

As I stuffed my clothes into a large bag, my mind raced.

I hadn't planned for this—being forced to leave my own home, my father unconscious on the floor, my world turned upside down.

I paused, my thoughts turning to where I would go. I didn't have anywhere else to stay. I didn't have any relatives. I didn't have my mother who I could turn to anymore. All I had was my father.

The uncertainty of where I would go gnawed at me.

When I finally made my way downstairs with my bag in tow, Lucas was surveying all of the damage my father had done in the house.

When he saw me, he stopped and made his way over to me.

He reached out and gently squeezed my shoulder, his touch offering a sense of reassurance.

"Don't worry, Shana. We'll figure this out... We'll figure out what he can do to help your father."

"Lucas, I appreciate what you're doing, but what more could we do for him? You already helped him get that job with Kendrick and now..."

I trailed off, thinking about the look in my father's eyes. It almost made my eyes start watering.

"Where am I going to go?" I asked. "I don't have anyone I can turn to."

"You have me," Lucas said simply.

I let out a shaky breath, my eyes meeting his as I voiced my concerns., "Lucas, I can't just impose on you or anyone else. Besides, you're not even staying with your father anymore, you're at Grandma Jo's."

"You won't be imposing." His smile was gentle. "Grandma Jo has an extra bedroom at her place that nobody has used in over a decade. She'd be more than happy to have you stay with us."

"Are you sure?" I asked, still feeling a bit hesitant.

"Yes, Shana. You need to be somewhere safe right now, and Grandma Jo's is the perfect place. You belong there."

His words caught me off guard, a mix of surprise and gratitude flooding over me. I hadn't expected him to have a solution so readily available, and the kindness of his offer warmed my heart.

"Thank you, Lucas."

"You don't need to thank me," Lucas said. "But we do need to get out of here before your father wakes up again."

We made our way to Lucas's motorcycle as the cool night air blew against my skin.

With every mile that passed, I felt a sense of distance from the disaster that was my own home.

I was incredibly worried about my father, but I couldn't help him right now. He would only see me as a target for his anger, someone to hurt.

Lucas was right, I needed to be somewhere safe. And if that happened to be Grandma Jos' place, then so be it.

When we finally pulled up in front of Grandma Jo's house, a wave of nervousness washed over me. I hadn't seen her in a while, and I wasn't sure what she would think of my sudden presence.

She was always welcoming, but this was a different story. I would be asking her to let me into her home for the foreseeable future without any warning.

It was completely out of my character.

As Lucas knocked on the door, I fidgeted with the strap of my bag, my thoughts racing.

I just hoped Grandma Jo would be understanding and welcoming.

When the door swung open and Grandma Jo's warm smile met us, those worries seemed to fade away.

"Lucas, dear, it's a bit late. What took you so long to get back?" she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight embrace.

He grinned, returning the hug with equal warmth. "I'm fine, Grandma Jo." Lucas turned to look at me. "I was helping Shana with something..."

And then, Grandma Jo's gaze shifted to me, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "Shana! Well well well. What is this? Another sleepover like the good old days? Good thing I made pie!"

I smiled, relief washing over me as she enveloped me in a hug.

"Actually, Shana needs a place to... 'sleepover' in for a while." Lucas gave Grandma Jo a sheepish expression. "I was wondering if it would be okay for Shana to stay here with us?"

"Oh, don't be silly, Lucas!" Grandma Jo gestured for us to come into the house. "Both of you get in before the cold gets in. And Shana, please know that you're always welcome here."

Despite the chaos of the situation, being in her presence felt like a balm to my wounded spirit.

"Thank you, Grandma Jo," I said with a genuine smile. "I really appreciate it."

As we settled into her cozy living room, Lucas and I recounted the events of the night, the words tumbling out as we spoke. Grandma Jo listened intently.

"I'm so sorry you're going through this, Shana," she said, her voice filled with empathy. "You're welcome to stay here for as long as you need. And don't worry, dear, I've got some savings set aside that can help with any expenses you might have."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, the kindness of her words touching me deeply.

"Oh, that won't be necessary. I have some money saved up from my mother," I explained.

It was the truth, although, I wouldn't be getting any of that money until I turned eighteen.

Grandma Jo wrapped an arm around me, and a sense of gratitude washed over me. Even though I didn't have any family to turn to, Lucas and his grandma had somewhat become the closest thing to family.

I wasn't alone after all.

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