Page 26 of Play Maker

Even if my parents had cash flow problems, they’d find a way to give Jonas what he wanted.

“It’s true,” he whined.

Jonas blew a lot of money on drugs. If it came in a pill, he was popping it. He also loved to gamble so if there was a bet to be made, he was placing it. My parents looked the other way. If Jonas was happy, they were happy.

“What do you need it for?”

I don’t know why I asked, because I already knew the answer. There was a pause on the other end of the line, then a sharp inhale.

“What does it matter? You don’t give a shit anyway. Just lend me the money and I’ll pay you back in a month.”

“Are you using again?”

“It’s under control. And don’t act pious. You get high too.”

“Not every day,” I sighed. “How much do you need?”

“Five grand.”

Jesus Christ.

“You can’t be serious.”

“I don’t buy cheap shit and I owe some guys for a party last month. Plus, I have a poker debt to pay off. Now, are you going to give me the money or what?”

I sighed.

“Fine. But that’s it. I don’t have any more to give you.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I’m serious. I’ve got enough to cover my expenses until I graduate, but that’s it. Mom and Dad have no more cash to pass out.”

“You’re lying. They have a shitload of money, tons of it.”

That’s what it looked like on the surface.

“Next time you need a loan, ask one of your friends.”

“College hasn’t changed you, Ax. You’re still the same bastard that you always were.”

“Maybe you’re the one who’s the asshole? You ever think about that?”

Then I hung up. I tapped on my phone again and logged into my bank account, transferring the money to Jonas as requested. For a second, I considered ignoring him, but I knew that wouldn’t work. He’d keep calling and texting until he got what he wanted. He was completely relentless and nothing stopped him. Jonas would do anything to get his hands on his next fix. While I knew that his addictions weren’t my problem, part of me felt guilty. Maybe if I’d tried harder when I was younger, if I’d found some way to get through to him, things would be different between us. But I never succeeded. Just like I never fit in with the rest of our family, I didn’t fit in with Jonas.

I was used to being an outsider—at home, at school, and now, in hockey. Suddenly, desperately, I wanted to fit in somewhere, anywhere, and most of all here.

I just didn’t know how.

CHAPTER 10

JACE

THE NEXT DAY

Iwas halfway through my anatomy 201 class when my phone buzzed. A couple of students turned to stare at me and the teacher stopped talking.

“What did I say about phones in the classroom?” Professor Mulligan barked.

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