Page 11 of Coast to Coast

I took a screenshot of the text conversation and immediately sent it to our sibling group chat.

Me to ‘Sibs’: I guess I’ve got no choice but to be honest about my new career.

Juno: Yikes.

PJ: Best to call it a job.

Juno: And frame it as a way to get back in the game…

PJ: Find your path, something that makes it seem like a necessary detour

Were my parents supportive? Yes. But would this be a choice they’d want for me? Hell no. It was precisely why they’d committed to supporting all of us financially until we were well into adulthood. It was also why I’d wanted to do everything possible, not to accept a dime of support from this day forward.

“So, Dad mentioned your new neighbors… Funny story: I just realized that they’re my new bosses.”

I was the main subject for the next hour and a half as my parents tried to talk me out of the position. When my father offered me a position in his company, I refused.

“You know, I might just want to work on my music,” I said, finally expressing my true feelings. While my parents supported my music as a hobby, I don’t think they ever saw it as a legitimate source of income. That’s why, even though I had applied to Berklee, I knew it wouldn’t be an option for me.

“Callie, you know we’ll support you in whatever you want to try. We don’t see that as a viable path. You’re incredibly talented, but the music industry doesn’t magically break your way just because you have talent,” my mom explained.

“I fully understand that, Mom. I’m not looking to be the next superstar. But I’ve missed performing, even if those performances are limited to a small social media following andopen mic nights. If I can thank Zander for anything, it’s the hordes of material he provided for new songs.”

“Fuck Zander,” Juno burst out, holding her wine glass up in a cheers gesture, “Fuck Zander,” we all repeated in unison.

Before I left, I shared the time and place of my next gig with my family. My parents already had an event that night and apologized for missing it, but Juno and PJ promised to attend.

TOM

Ihad an entire night to myself, and Crew was with Sam and Kelsey for the next few days. It’s strange how quickly I got used to having a kid; the nights without him felt weird; not only was something missing, but I felt aimless in my own company.

I thought back to where I was when the news broke. I had just moved to Colorado, and my girlfriend had been in the final stages of moving in with me. Bella and I started dating the summer after my infamous trip to Cancun, and our relationship quickly became serious. In hindsight, I should have recognized that she was more enamored with the thought of living the hockey WAG life than she was with me.

When I discovered I was a father, I prioritized co-parenting with Sam and Kelsey and made it clear to Bella that my son and my relationship with him would be first on my list. When we eventually broke up, I was angry with Bella for not understanding where I was at, but I had done little to assure her that there was still room for her in my life.

So, I started my rookie year single, navigating the pressures of the transition to the NHL and figuring out how to be a father. All the while, Sam was there, ready and willing to be the fatherCrew needed if I failed. I felt like I was auditioning for the role of Crew’s father, and any misstep would cost me my son.

Almost a year later, I was comfortable with the friendship I had developed with Sam, but I kept my nose clean, not wanting to give any reason for Kelsey to pursue full custody.

Of my teammates, I was closest to Damon Amari and Alex Bendik. Between Amari’s on-again, off-again relationship with the love of his life and Bendik’s two children, we were content to stay in a while on the road. Yes, I was jealous of some of the stories I heard from the single guys on the team, but not enough to risk my son.

When a video surfaced last year of a threesome between two of our teammates, Charlie Duncan and Vasil Mink, I thanked the gods for divine intervention. I had planned to go with them to that party, but they got impatient waiting for me to finish up a FaceTime call with Crew, and left without me.

Since breaking up with Bella, I’d had one date with a woman who’d become a clinger. After one dinner, no sex, she must have seen dollar signs, and I’d ended up blocking her number. When she started harassing me outside of the rink while I was with my son, I reluctantly filed a restraining order.

Damon: When are you getting back in town?

Me: The 29th. Is Gumby back?

We called Bendik Gumby because he looked like Gumby when he blocked a shot on goal. He and his wife lived in the Czech Republic during the off-season.

Damon: Not yet.

Me: Sorry, man. Don’t take that as a sign to call Kayleigh.

Damon: Ummm.

Me: What?

---