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“Nope. He came to our house and cried. Said you had split up with him because he didn’t fit into your successful life in Germany anymore.”

“What the actual fuck? The audacity!”

“We all felt sorry for him, of course. I told them you would have had your reasons.”

I huffed. “Yeah, I did.”

“What an asshole. I’m glad you’re rid of him. You deserve better.”

My thoughts strayed back to my princess.

“Yeah, I do. I’ll call Mum later. Gotta get ready for work now.”

“You go hit some pucks. I need to be in the lab, anyway.”

My sister was in the last leg of her psychology studies.

“Love you, little sis.”

“Love you, big bro.”

After our morning training session and yoga class, I called my mother.

She, too, brought up Tobias, but quickly changed the subject when I told her the same thing I had told Marie.

It hurt that she didn’t want to hear me, but it made me feel less guilty about what I told her next.

“You won’t be coming home for the holidays? And your birthday? Maximilian, you cannot be serious!”

“I am, Mum.” I wouldn’t say I was sorry. I wasn’t.

“And you’re spending Christmas in Denmark with acolleague?”

“A friend.”The love of my life.Perhaps she heard I wasn’t going to let her challenge that.

“All right.” She sighed like a woman who had lived a thousand years of misery.

Well, parenting two neurodivergent children—one obsessed with hockey and the other with a special interest in serial killers—and running a business probably came close enough in her mind. “Have a good time with your friend in Denmark. We’ll miss you, Max.”

“I’ll miss you, too, Mum. Have a great Christmas, yeah? And give my love to Dad.”

“I will. We’ll be sending your presents to Veitsreuth. Perhaps we can come see you in March for your Dad’s birthday?”

“Yeah, that would be nice.”

“Good. Let’s do that. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Mum.”

I hung up, feeling only a bit guilty but giddy with excitement.

I’d go to a beach house with Arne. Ten days of great food, not having to hide, and all the sex.Fuck yes.

Twenty-three

Arne

Christmas fell on a Sunday this year, which was fantastic for us because Coach Jerke gave us Friday off as well.