Page 35 of Love Me (Charlotte Monarchs Hockey #1)
“They don’t give you breaks? Aren’t there labor laws in North Carolina?”
I laugh though I think he’s serious. He takes his role in the family businesses to heart. Which means he wears the head of human resources hat—among many others. “Yes, but sometimes, I work through them if my patients need me.”
“How’s it going there?”
“Great. I really like it. The hospital is amazing And I’m—I’m seeing someone.”
“Really? What does he do?”
Of course, that would be Dad’s first question.
“He’s a hockey player.”
“You’re a magnet, dear.”
“They say women are attracted to men similar to their fathers.”
“I thought you were finished with hockey players?” Dad teases. Glad he thinks it’s okay to joke about my love life. Maybe he assumes the months away from home have been enough time to heal my broken heart.
“I thought so, too. But Luke is different. He doesn’t even play anymore. He has a job with the organization.”
“How old is he, Brianna?” His voice holds a hint of surprise.
“He’s twenty-six, Dad. He had to retire after a neck injury.”
“Luke Daniels?” he asks. Sometimes I forget that my dad is a freak of nature and knows the background of every player in the NHL.
“Yes.”
“At least you’re not slumming it after Arkady.”
“Jesus, Dad. That’s a shitty thing to say.”
“I didn’t mean anything by it, Bree. I just meant that Luke was a talented kid with a bright future. It’s too bad about his injury.”
“I know. I feel so bad for him, Dad. He’s adjusting to his new position incredibly well, but I know not being on the ice kills him.”
“Speaking of that, did you see my text about flights?” Dad interrupts. “I want to get Mason out there to stay with you for a few days. Might ignite a spark in him.”
Always back to my brother. Why does he even ask questions, pretending to care about what’s going on in my life?
“What about Swirly Chix? Isn’t he in charge of the taproom?” Swirly Chix is the brewery Mom and Dad started while I was in high school. For Mason, being “in charge of the taproom” means he pours a few beers, then walks around the bar drinking and shooting the shit with the patrons.
“We can hire anyone to do that, Bree.”
No shit, I want to say but keep my mouth shut.
“You’ve got to help us get him back on track.”
“No, Dad. I, just—no,” I tell him firmly.
“Excuse me?”
After twenty-five years of being married to a strong-willed person like Mom, Dad likes to believe he has the upper hand with me.
For most of my life, I allowed him to think that way, choosing only the battles I wanted to fight.
Well, I’m not humoring him this time. Not on my own turf hundreds of miles away.
“I tried to help, remember?” Seems like everyone forgot about the pressure they put on me to find a doctor who would give Mason clearance to pay hockey again, but I remember. It consumed my life during undergrad and clinical rotations.
“It’s not a one-and-done thing, Brianna.”
“It’s my turn to live, Dad. I took this assignment to get away. To be on my own.”
“That’s selfish.”
I press the brake down as far as it will go as I come to a red light. “Yes, Dad. For the first time in my life, I’m being selfish. I’m having a good time. I don’t want Mason here.”
“I understand, Bree. I do.” His tone changes from gruff annoyance to soft compromise. “But we’re trying to get him to live again. We don’t know what to do.”
“Kick him out,” I suggest.
Though it comes out a bit flippant, I really mean it. How do they expect Mason to change if they let him live at home and pay for him to sit around?
“You know we aren’t going to do that.”
I shrug though Dad can’t see it over the phone. “Well, then he’s gonna be there until he’s sixty.”
“A week, Brianna. That’s all we’re asking.”
I squeeze the steering wheel. “Send him to someone else, Dad. I’ve spent too many years worrying about him. I need a break. I’m only here a couple more weeks.”
“Your mother will be disappointed in your attitude.”
That’s Dad’s way of saying he’s going to tattle on me. But it’s an empty threat because my parents have barely spoken to each other about anything other than the business in the last twenty-five years.
That must be the slow progression of a marriage that starts with “sacrifice” and resentment.
I love them both, but ever since I was a kid, I wished that they would just get a divorce and move on. But they started the Healthy Chix empire together, and the Swirly Chix Brewery after that. Neither of them will give up any part of the businesses.
“I guess she will,” I say. “I gotta go, Dad. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”
My thumb slides down the steering wheel to press the button to end the call before Dad has a chance to speak again.
I know him well enough to know his next words will not be “Goodbye” or “Love you.” He’ll try to convince me to take Mason in and baby him in Charlotte the way he’s been babied in Anaheim.
I love my brother. He’s not a bad guy, but the last thing I need is to get home from work and see Mason sitting on my couch with his eyes glued to the TV screen.
New place, same story.
I refuse to spend my final weeks in North Carolina trying to make my brother happy. I’ve already spent too much of my life doing that.
Though Charlotte is cute and small, it’s big enough. The hospital I work at is amazing. The staff is both qualified and easy to work with. And I met Luke. I’ve never met someone like him. Fun and adventurous under his quiet, introspective demeanor.
For the first time since college, I feel full of life and genuinely happy. Being away from Anaheim and all the issues with my parents, my brother, and Arkady make me feel like my life is my own again. The possibilities here seem endless.