Page 125 of Puck Me Secretly

I could barely keep up with Dad. “Players were on break and Logan skated up. We hadn’t spoken two sentences when Baxter came up and told me I had no business being in practice because I was distracting his players. As he skated away, he called me a derogatory name and Max tripped him. Baxter got up and hit him in the face.”

“I saw that part.” He stopped walking. “Why is Max always in the middle of your shit?”

“He’s not, but you can’t deny that Baxter hates me and he hates Max.”

“That’s an excuse.”

“That’s the truth, Dad. You want to tell me why Baxter has hated me from day one?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know that Baxter wanted to be assistant GM. I also know you fought Baxter for Max instead of Joseph.”

“Joseph Flanynk is about two drinks away from being an alcoholic.”

“You keep blaming Max or me for all the shit that happens with Baxter, but have you ever considered that Baxter might instigate this stuff because he doesn’t like us?”

“Max should have never tripped him.”

“He was protecting me.”

“Are you saying I’m not?”

“Dad!” I grabbed his hand. “No. I’m trying to prevent you from blaming the wrong person in this situation.”

“Who should I blame?”

“Baxter!”

Dad stared down at me. “I don’t want you in this meeting.”

“What?”

“I will give Logan a fine.”

“What about Baxter?”

“I’ll deal with him.”

I could not understand the blind spot Dad had for Baxter. Without responding, I turned on my heel and walked away.

That night,my phone rang. It was Max.

“Hello?”

“Hey.”

Worry laced my voice. “Are you okay? What happened?”

“Nothing, I only got a fine.”

“Max! I’m so sorry.”

He laughed. “Baxter got a bigger one.”

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