Page 44 of Keeping it Real

Finn’s infectious grin had even the normally stoic Henrik smiling.Alek stretched out his legs as he glided around the ice.Finn soaked in everything Gus, Picard, and Valentine taught him until the kid was able to slide the puck between Jordan’s skates and into the net.Everyone broke out into cheers.

“His father was a hell of a natural talent.They don’t come twice in a lifetime like that,” Henrik said when he skated up beside Alek.“But Finn shows promise.He takes direction well.”

Merriweather skated past, putting in as little effort in practice as possible.

“Which is a lot more than can be said for some of the people getting paid good money to play this game.”Henrik didn’t bother lowering his voice.He was as sick of Merriweather’s shenanigans as the rest of the team.

Smirking, Merriweather pulled up to a stop and leaned on his stick.“Oh, I don’t know.I played with Cobert.If anything, his kid skates like you, Bergeron.He’s even got your legs.You sure he’s not your kid?I mean, look at him.He doesn’t even look like Cobert.”

The rink was covered in gloves before Merriweather could finish his absurd statement.

“What the fuck, Merriweather,” Picard snarled.

Henrik had Merriweather by the shoulder pad and was dragging the little prick into the corner.As he did, Alek spotted Finn behind Merriweather where he likely heard everything the jerk had said.His eyes were as round as saucers, and his face deathly pale.He dropped his stick to the ice and clutched at his chest trying in vain to draw in a panicked breath.

“Finn!”Alek raced to him and scooped him up.“Your inhaler?Where is it?”he asked as he skated off the ice.

But the only answer Finn could give was a high-pitched wheeze.One of the trainers met them in the dressing room.Gus dug around Alek’s stall and found Finn’s backpack.He pulled out the inhaler and handed it to the trainer.

“We may be past that.His pulse ox is dropping quickly,” the trainer said as he pulled an Epipen from the emergency kit.

Alek felt his own lungs seizing up.This time, he didn’t know how to help Finn.He had never felt more useless in his life.

Valentine tugged off Finn’s hockey pants.“My sister has asthma.I’m a pro at this,” he explained as he took the Epipen from the trainer and stuck it in Finn’s thigh.After it clicked, Valentine counted to ten.

The trainer inserted Finn’s inhaler into a plastic tube with a mask at one end.He placed it over Finn’s mouth and nose and pressed the button on the inhaler.Similar to what Sheridan had done at the funeral, he counted out breaths for Finn.

Almost as quickly as it had begun, the asthma attack subsided.Tears were streaming down Finn’s cheeks when the trainer removed the mask.Gus brought over a cup of water.

“Pulse ox is back up to ninety-five,” the trainer said.“He probably should let his doc take a peek at his lungs, though.”

“Uh, yeah,” Alek replied.He grabbed his phone.“I’ll call Sheridan.”

“Already done,” Lori announced as she entered the dressing room.“She’s on her way.It’s going to be a few minutes.Why don’t we wait for her up in Mr.Kellogg’s office?It’s a lot more comfortable up there.”

Valentine had removed Finn’s skates.Alek sat on the bench in his stall and carelessly tugged his off.He shoved his feet into his sneakers before reaching for Finn’s backpack.Gus took it from him.

“I’ve got this,” he said.“You take him.”

Finn sat in front of Picard’s stall, looking spent.His face was streaked with dry tears.His gaze was focused somewhere off in the distance.Alek crouched in front of him.

“Hey, bud.Do you feel well enough to walk?”

He nodded, but he wobbled when he stood.Alek kept his hand on Finn’s shoulder for guidance while they followed Lori to the front office.The guys all murmured a “feel better” or “hang in there” as they filed past.Finn seemed to barely notice.

Questions were ricocheting around Alek’s mind like shots on goal.Could Finn be his son?Is that why Jamie had left the boy in his care?

He shook his head.Nah.Merriweather was being a dick because he didn’t want to come to practice today.He’d pay for taking it out on an innocent kid.Alek would make sure of that.

The facts were the facts.Alek and Madison last slept together the night before he left for Team Canada camp in early May.Jamie and Madison were married in July.Finn was born the following May.There was no possible way he could be Alek’s son.

The pain of that realization nearly took him out at the knees, however.It suddenly occurred to him that he’d give anything to have a son like Finn.No matter the circumstances.His father would be lost to him soon.But Alek would have someone else to carry on that father-son bond.

“I’ll send Sheridan in as soon as she arrives,” Lori said.“There’s a mini fridge over there.Help yourself to whatever you need.”

Alek needed half a bottle of whisky for the discussion he was about to have with Finn.He settled for a bottle of water instead.Finn unwrapped a lollipop he’d taken out of his backpack and stuck it in his mouth.

“Aunt Sher says these help my breathing,” he explained, his voice still raspy.

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