Page 166 of Playing the Pucking Game
I’m not going to lie, that Pilates class this morning was a bitch. I’m already aching. Tomorrow is gonna hurt.
Pulling my cell from my pocket, I ignore the notifications waiting for me and find a contact I’ve been meaning to touch base with for a while.
It rings three times before the call connects, and the second it does, I’m reminded of what a shitty brother I am.
“I’m sorry, who is this?” Nova asks.
“You’re funny.”
“I really am, compared to you,” she deadpans.
I groan again, dragging my hand down my face.
I love my little sister dearly. But I don’t have the patience for teenage girl sass.
“How’s everything?” I ask.
“Yeah, you know.”
“No, I don’t. If I did, I wouldn’t be asking.”
“Jeez. Who pissed in your coffee this morning?”
“Have you seen Mom much?” I ask, ignoring her previous comment.
“Thankfully, no.”
“Nova,” I warn.
“What? Whenever I see her, all she does is tell me everything I’m doing wrong. It’s exhausting.”
I want to argue with her, say something positive about Mom. But she’s right. Since we lost Dad, their relationship has changed, and not for the better.
“How’s school?” I ask with a wince. The answer to that question is usually about as positive as the previous one.
“Yeah, it’s okay.”
Her upbeat response throws me for a loop.
“Uh…really?” I ask, hating my skeptical tone.
“Yeah. It’s…better.”
“That’s amazing. I’m so happy you’re finding your footing there.”
“Yeah, it could be worse. So, what about you? What’s new in your high-profile celebrity life?”
I laugh her comment off.
“Not much. My agent has a couple of possible new endorsement opportunities in the pipeline.”
“And you’re top of the division?” she adds.
“Yeah, there is that too,” I say, unable to keep the proud smile from spreading across my lips. “Have you been watching?”
“Of course.”
We fall into easy conversation about hockey, but it still drifts off to other places. And as always, Nova quickly reminds me that the teenage sass she gave me at the beginning of the call is just a cover. If I’m honest, she’s probably already more mature than I am.
