Page 1 of Stick It
PROLOGUE
The soundof their laughter echoes in my ears, sharp and mocking. Like what I’d said was so ridiculous, it didn’t deserve anything else.
We were doing one of those dumb icebreaker things in homeroom.Say your name and what you want to be when you grow up.
Most of the girls say they want to be a pop star or a vet. Maybe even a teacher.
When it’s my turn, I don’t even hesitate. “I want to play in the NHL.”
There’s a moment of silence so thick you could hear the kid at the front of the classroom shuffling in his chair.
Then the laughter started.
Especially from the boy two rows over—Brandon freaking McKay. “That’s stupid. You’re a girl.”
I blink, stunned for a second. “So?”
He scoffs, turning in his chair so the whole class can hear him. “Girls don’t play in the NHL. That’s forrealplayers.”
My cheeks burn, but I lift my chin. “Iama real player.”
“Yeah, in peewee league.” He grins, and the others laugh with him.
My stomach twists. “For now.”
“Even if you were good enough—which you’re not—you still don’t get to. Girlsdon’t belongthere.” His voice is so sure it feels like a slap.
I try to say something back. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Because the way everyone’s looking at me? It’s as if they agree.
Like I’m stupid.
Like I’mwrong.
Like I’mless.
I wait until the bell rings and I’m out of the classroom before I let the tears fall. I hold it in all the way home.
Until I walk through the front door and see my dad in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove, still in his team hoodie.
“Hey, kiddo.”
That’s all it takes.
I drop my bag and crumble.
He’s across the room in seconds, wrapping me in one of those hugs that squeezes all the sadness out. Like I’m a snow globe someone shook too hard, and he’s the only one who knows how to make it settle again.
“What happened?”
I sniff, voice cracking. “They laughed at me.”
His brow furrows. “Who did?”
“Everyone. In class. I said I wanted to play in the NHL and they laughed.” My throat tightens. “They said Ican’t.That girlsdon’t.”
He doesn’t speak right away. Just crouches so we’re eye to eye, his hands warm on my shoulders.
Then he says, “Did they laugh because it’s never been done?”
