Page 48 of The Love Comeback
“Exactly. I have the means to make this easier for her—for both of them. But I also have to respect her boundaries.” I shake my head. “I don’t want to be another guy who lets her down or makes her feel like she can’t handle things on her own.”
“So how much money are we talking about here?” Dylan asks, leaning forward with undivided interest. “I mean, I know youth hockey was expensive when I was a kid, but how much is it running these days?”
I go on to explain the tournament and equipment fees. “And that’s before you factor in travel expenses,” I continue. “Hotels,gas, meals on the road. Figure another two to three hundred per tournament weekend, minimum.”
“Dang,” Dylan mutters, shaking his head. “No wonder she’s stressed.”
Cam leans across the aisle. “The cost of youth hockey has gotten out of hand.”
I nod, unsurprised that Cam’s been eavesdropping. The team plane doesn’t exactly offer much privacy, and Cam’s always had a sixth sense for important conversations.
Blaze appears, dropping into the seat next to Cam. “What are we talking about?” he asks, stifling a yawn.
“Youth hockey costs,” Dylan clarifies. “Kade’s giving us the breakdown for his girlfriend’s kid.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I correct, though the words sting a little.
“Right, right.” Dylan waves dismissively. “The woman he’s desperately in love with but is too noble to make a move on. Better?”
I roll my eyes. “Anyway, we’re talking serious money here. Five to six grand for a season of youth travel hockey.”
Blaze lets out a low whistle. “That’s rough. Especially for a teacher, right? What does she teach again?”
“Middle school math,” I reply.
“Man, those teachers are saints. They make next to nothing considering what they put up with.”
A brief silence falls over our group, each of us lost in thought.
“You know,” Dylan says slowly, breaking the silence, “the team could sponsor him.”
I blink. “What?”
“The Glaciers could sponsor Colton.” Dylan shrugs. “Cover his fees, equipment, travel expenses—the whole package. We do individual sponsorships all the time for underprivileged kids. Why not him?”
I’m already shaking my head before he finishes. “No. That won’t work.”
Dylan looks genuinely perplexed. “Why not? It’s perfect.”
“Because Ella would see right through it,” I explain, trying not to sound as frustrated as I feel. “She already turned down my offer to help her with the costs. If the team suddenly decides to sponsor Colton, she’ll know it was my doing.”
“So?” Dylan challenges. “The kid gets to play hockey, she doesn’t have to work herself to death—it’s a win-win. Do you really think she’d see our help as abadthing?”
“I think she’d see it as me going behind her back,” I correct him. “As me thinking she can’t handle it on her own. As me not respecting her enough to accept her decision when she said no.”
The explanation hangs in the air for a moment as the other guys absorb it. I can see them processing, trying to understand the delicate balance I’m struggling to maintain with Ella.
“What if…” Blaze begins, then pauses, choosing his words carefully. “What if it wasn’t about Colton specifically?”
All three of us turn to look at him.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“What if the Glaciers sponsored theentireteam?” Blaze suggests, leaning forward in his seat. “Not just Colton—all the kids. Reduced fees across the board, equipment assistance, travel subsidies, the works.”
I blink, considering the idea. “A team sponsorship?”
“Exactly.” Blaze nods. “The PR department’s been looking for more community outreach opportunities anyway. This could be perfect—investing in the next generation of players, making the sport more accessible to families of all income levels.”
