Page 113 of Forbidden Hockey

I take an uneasy breath and try to look excited. I probably don’t pull it off, I never do, so I focus on stuffing my mouth with Hunter’s special recipe apple pie. At least it’s sweet, because everything else is sour.

You’re doing this for him. For once in your damn life, you’re doing something for him, you selfish fucking prick.

“This is good, can I have a little more?”

“Yeah, as much as you want. Here, let me get it for you.”

He takes my bowl and heads into the kitchen. It’s long enough for me to let my eyes burn and wipe the stupid tears away. Hunter’s right, he always is—hockey was fun while it lasted, but it’s time to grow up. I’m lucky to have played for this long without an injury. It’s best to leave on a high.

I take a breath, closing my eyes. Bright side, I’ll get to spend more time with Travis.

Unless Hunter picks a school far away.

Fuck.

I didn’t think this through. And I’ve got to figure out a way to tell Dash. He’s gonna be devastated that I’m leaving the team.

Tonight was supposed to be the night I finally unloaded a big secret, not take on another one.

Hunt squeezes my shoulder, eyes shining with pride. It’s too late, this is something I can’t take back, but it doesn’t matter.Hunter’s happy, maybe the happiest I’ve ever seen him. I could live in his pride and happiness forever, and it looks like that’s what I’m going to have to do.

Chapter

Twenty-One

Travis

Someone replaced my boyfriend with one of those damn Canadian cobra chickens. He sits, glaring, daring you to come near him, and then he snaps and flaps his wings at you. Even Dash, who’s usually a Dirk whisperer, has been steering clear of him. He cancelled on me last night, saying he had to stay at his brother’s. A family emergency, but he was fine, and he’d tell me when he saw me.

Didn’t like that, almost went over there to retrieve him, but I’d done the same thing—made him wait to hear my news. I went with “not being a hypocrite”, but now I wish I had been. He stormed in here late, put on his chef’s jacket, and proceeded to bark orders on the line.

The door to my office swings open, and my son invites himself in, shutting the door too quickly, resting against the back of it, taking a few breaths.

Oh yeah, the lack of knocking thing Dirk asked me to talk to him about. I should do that now.

“Sorry for barging in, Dad, but Dirk’s out there. Am I a bad friend for avoiding him?”

There, he apologized. I don’t need to say a thing because my eyes said it for me—he gets it.

Right?

“All good, son. Happen to know why he’s …” I trail off, letting him fill in the blanks.

“A loose puck? Yeah, something to do with his brother. He won’t talk about it, but he sure is pissed. It’ll blow over like it always does, but can I hide in here until Hurricane Boulder leaves the building?”

“Have a seat.”

It doesn’t take long for Hurricane Boulder to head this way, but unlike my son, he knocks.

“Yeah, we’re in here,” I say, so he knows it’s more than just me.

Dirk enters, setting eyes on Dash. “There you are, I’ve been looking for you. Let’s go, Nolan. I’ve got shit to do.”

He’s not here to see me? Or is that his cover? I can’t tell.

“Was just telling Dad here, Syd’s picking me up. It’s his last day before he goes on his big trip, so, uh, thanks, but I’m good.” Dash scurries out of here like a ferret with a sock.

Syd’s already gone. Part of me’s proud my son’s a terrible liar. I bite my lip to keep from laughing.