Page 118 of Puck with Karma
Van Boyd: I hope your head is good, man. You shouldn’t have attacked my boy like that
Me: it was a giant misunderstanding, head is fine
Van Boyd: you better pay for his new teeth. He’s all fucked up. That girl’s gonna cry when she sees him. How’s she gonna kiss him?
I let out another snort of amusement. Van has always been the class clown no matter where he went. I try to think back to when we were both looking forward to getting drafted into the pros. We had some good times, fun times. I’m not sure why we lost contact when we did.
“Xander, are you still there?” my father’s voice reaches my ears. I forgot the call was still active.
“Yeah, hold on,” I murmur when another message comes through.
Van Boyd: we need to get a hold of Mallory. No connection out there in the sticks where you folks are. Any ideas?
Me: if she went to her parents’, there’s reception there. I’m on the phone with my dad
“Xander,” my father calls for me again. “I need to go clear the driveway so that Janie can walk over to the Larks’ place.” That’s Mallory’s parents. “Before I go…”
He hesitates, which, in turn, is making me grind my teeth in anticipation. Nerves are playing havoc on my head. The only thing I want to focus right now is getting back to Abby. Fuck everything else.
“I made a few phone calls. If you still want to play…” He sighs. “If I didn’t completely ruin it for you and you still want to play professionally… Do you?”
It is now my turn to hesitate, but then I remember the sinking feeling in my stomach at the realization that I have nothing to look forward to as far as hockey goes.
“I do.”
“Good.” The relief in his voice is obvious. “That’s great.”
I grin like he can see me. “It is. I just need a fresh start.”
“Someone will be in contact with you soon,” he assures me. “Don’t fuck it up.”
“I’ll try not to,” I snort.
We hang up, although, I don’t really want to. For the first time in, well, ever, I felt a connection to the man who ruled every decision of my life for so long. It feels strange that he now doesn’t have any decision making power regarding my career, and I have to decide on my own what the future should bring. It’s a mind fuck for sure.
“Hey,” Bridget pops up from behind the curtain. “Your girlfriend is here to pick you up.”
I stare at her in disbelief, unsure whether I heard her right.
“What girlfriend?” Because I can’t believe that…
Bridget grins at me. “The one you told me you’re in love with.”
In a dramatic move, she pulls on the curtain, only to reveal the last person I thought I’d see in here tonight.
“Abby.”
Breath leaves my body in a slow exhale. My face feels numb, and I’m not sure whether I am smiling or not. I think I am, but I’m pretty sure my facial muscles do not move at all.
“Xander.”
Her voice sounds chocked up. The hair she is always so proud of doesn’t look as perfect as the last time I saw her. Makeup iscaked under her eyes, with mascara running down her cheeks. She looks a fright, and she doesn’t seem to care.
“Baby…”
I open my arms wide, and she never hesitates. She rushes toward me, collapsing against my chest, and instantly starts sobbing.
I’m glad I was already on my back because this move would’ve taken me down given the state of my head right now.
