Page 24 of Penalty Zone

“I’m going to check on Mason,” he says in a rush.

“Oh, okay.” I don’t move toward him, and he heaves a sigh of relief. My brain has trouble catching up and switching from an invitation to a dismissal. He doesn’t want me to see Mason, probably because he’s injured.

Caleb uses a key to enter his room, and I rush to catch the door before it swings shut. I’ll only peek in to make sure Mason’s fine, then leave. That’s the lie I tell myself to justify my behavior.

“Hey, how ya feelin’?” Caleb asks. The room’s dark except for the light from the bathroom. I can make out Mason’s form on the bed by the window.

Mason makes a sleepy sound, and Caleb sits on the far side of the bed next to him. Mason inches up. “Did you win all their money?”

Caleb chuckles and bites his lip. “Nah, turns out I’m shit at in-person poker.”

Mason shoves his shoulder with a grin. “You’re not good at bluffing.” Then he winces and rubs his leg.

I’m standing at the foot of the bed before I realize I shouldn’t be here.

“Dad?” Mason says, and Caleb jumps off the bed.

“What’s wrong with your leg?”

Mason folds his arms defensively. “A bad bruise. It’s nothing.”

My son and I might be estranged, but I can still tell when he’s lying. Calling him out won’t help anything, so I pretend to believe him.

“Best thing for that is rest.” I resist telling him he shouldn’t weightlift tomorrow. He’s a grown man, and I have to trust he’ll take care of himself. “Tomorrow, there’s something we should discuss.”

“You can say it now.” Mason scowls.

“It’s private.” My eyes cut to Caleb, who holds up his hands.

“Stay,” Mason says to him in a pleading tone. Caleb nods without looking at me and sits in the chair by the window.

Maybe it’s for the best that Caleb witnesses our conversation. If he sees my flaws, this thing between us will die out. There’s no bigger turnoff than the way I’ve let Mason down.

I sit on the edge of the other bed, putting both Mason and Caleb in my view. “I thought working for the team would bring us together, give us a common goal and a way to bond. I didn’t realize my presence here could take something from you. I rented in New York to be closer to you, but I didn’t ask you how you felt.”

“You don’t usually follow through, so I didn’t think you’d really move here. If I’d known you were serious, I’d have asked you not to come.” His words are matter-of-fact, not meant to hurt but they do.

“I’m going to do a better job of listening to you. And for that reason, I spoke to Ari about letting me out of my contract.” To put him first, I have to let go of my pride.

Mason’s eyes light up, and Caleb swallows hard with a furrowed brow.

“He will let me out of it, but he also made a point we should discuss. Ari believes no matter the reasons given, the press will make assumptions and the scrutiny surrounding our relationship will increase, not decrease. Digging for a story about our fractured relationship.” My heart sinks when Mason’s eyes shut and his skull bounces on the cushioned headboard.

“Crud-on-a-cracker,” Caleb fake-swears. “He’s right. Every question will center around a feud between you.”

Mason groans. “Of course I’m in a no-win situation.”

“Mr. Dimon offered to let me keep my credentials, but release me from my contract. I could attend games to see you, but not in an official capacity.” I hope this option works for him because I’m out of other ideas.

“You would do that?” he asks, incredulous. “Actually come back without a job here?”

His apprehension is warranted, though it makes me bristle. “I moved here for you, so I will continue to come to your games.”

Mason lets out a humorless laugh. “I’ll think about it and let you know.” He side-eyes me, lifting his brows. I’ve probably said that before and let him down.

I slap my palms on my knees and stand, not wanting to overstay and intrude.

“Benz,” I say, and he straightens, sitting on the edge of his chair as if waiting for a command. Goddammit. He’s incredible. “I spoke to Mr. Dimon about your skill and my faith that you will be an excellent starting goalie when the time comes. If you trust your instincts, you’ll be an All-Star.” I’m not sure if I’ll work with him again, and there’s an urgency to give him confidence.

---