Page 89 of Two Guys One Puck
“That’s not what the papers say.”
I rub my forehead. “This stuff is sensationalized here.”
“Your brother is taking odd jobs.”
That liar!
“He promised me he wouldn’t do that. I’ll speak to him.”
“Inflation is killing us with the war. Everything is expensive and rent keeps going up, and it helps. He’s young. No one wants to hire an old woman.”
“He said you got a second job?”
“No. I’ve tried.” She frowns. “I can’t find anything else. He’s young. It’s fine.”
“He hasn’t dropped out of school, right? He’s too smart to be doing that.”
“He’s not. He’s fine. It’s only a little time.”
“I’ll check with my agent again on that new contract.” I don’t know what else to do. I feel fucking helpless and even guilty because I’m not there with them. I’m here playing hockey, and it’s easier, and I know that. I’m not waking up to air sirens or alarms anymore.
“Good. I think it would be helpful.”
We finish up talking, and I want to sink into a hole by the time we are through. I hate that money could solve our issues, and I have a future within my grasp, but I can’t access it yet. The stress is going to eat me alive.
I keep going over what else I could be doing, but there is only one thing I come back to.
Him.
Seaborn.
Is my relationship with him making me less?
I don’t believe it. I’d never let myself be less on the ice. For anyone.
“Were you talking to your mother?” Happy asks, poking his head into my room.
“Yes.” I put on a face for him. I didn’t need to get into it. I don’t want any of my teammates concerned about my motivations or playing.
“Is it weird to switch back and forth between languages?”
“No, is nice to remember mine. Is a little like going home.” I closed my eyes, trying to hold on to the feeling.
“What are you doing for the break?”
“Taking a lot of naps.” I laugh because that is the part I’m looking most forward to. “And training harder.”
“You sure you don’t want to fly home with me?” Happy is sweet, but I don’t want to tell him I can’t afford a ticket. Most of the kids who go to Myth League schools come from a lot of money. They don’t even begin to understand the privilege.
“I’m sure. How else will I train more than the rest of you so when you get back, all of you will feel lazy and slow?”
Happy grins. “At least I don’t have to play against you.”
“You are lucky for that.” I pat his cheek. “Enjoy your holiday.”
Happy finishes packing, Sleepy left early this morning, and soon, I’m all alone to think about the conversation with my mother, but dwelling on it is giving me a headache.
I haven’t seen Seaborn in weeks, but we’ve talked daily since the weekend he went home. We FaceTime, too. More than I expected.
