Page 68 of Offside Secrets
The word hangs between us, simple but heavy. I stare at the lines on his face, at the quiet strength there, and something in me twists. The truth of it sinks into my chest like a stone I didn’t know I was carrying.
“What if I can’t handle it all?” My voice cracks before I can stop it. “The NHL pressure. Being away from you. A relationship with someone like Sutton. What if it’s too much?”
He leans back, eyes steady, the ghost of a grin pulling at his mouth. “What if it isn’t? What if you’re stronger than you think? And what if I’m tougher than you give me credit for?”
A lump rises in my throat, and for a second, I can’t look at him. Because this isn’t just permission—it’s a letting go. And I’m not sure which one of us it’s harder for.
Before I can answer, my phone buzzes with a text. I glance at it, see that’s it Ben, and my stomach drops.
Alexandria scouts want to meet tomorrow. 2 PM at the team facility. This is it, kid.
Dad must see something in my expression because he asks, “What is it?”
“Meeting with Alexandria. Tomorrow.” I set the phone down with shaking hands. “The Dominion wants to talk.”
“The Dominion, huh?” Dad nods. “I like it. Good name fora team. The Alexandria Dominion. And they want to talk to you.” He claps his hands together. “That’s good news.”
I look at him, this man who raised me to be strong but who’s been struggling with a disease that’s stealing pieces of him every day. “They’ll want me in Alexandria full time.”
“Then you go.”
“Dad—” I could stay here and be on the Renegades. There’s nothing wrong with that choice at all. I think about Ollie and his happiness with his decision to stay in River City and play for the Renegades. No desire to move up, because he’s content.
“You go,” he repeats firmly. “You take the opportunity you’ve worked your whole life for and don’t look back.”
“I’d be leaving you alone.”
“Campbell.” His voice cuts through my spiral. “I’ve been managing this disease for a long time now. I’ve got doctors, medications, a support system. I’ve got Sawyer checking on me, neighbors who bring casseroles, and a son who’s taught me that I’m stronger than I thought I was.”
“But what if?—”
“What if what? What if the world blows up? What if we all wake up tomorrow and no one even remembers ice hockey is a sport? What if…nothing. You think I want to be the reason you don’t chase your dreams? You think your mother would want that?” His eyes get that soft look they always do when he mentions Mom. “She’d tan both our hides if she thought we were letting fear of the future and what it ‘might hold’ make our decisions.”
I know he’s right: Mom would have never let anyone make excuses, never acceptedwhat ifas a reason not to try.
“Besides,” Dad continues, “Alexandria’s what, two hours away? You could come home on days off. Bring that woman of yours around for dinner, if she’ll still have you after you figure out how to stop being an idiot about it.”
“She’s not—we’re not?—”
“I may be sick, but I’m not blind. You light up when you talk about her. And from what Sawyer told me about everything she did during my emergency, she cares about you, too.”
Speaking of, my phone buzzes again. This time it’s Sawyer.
I did that favor you asked me to do the other night, and I’ve got intel for ya. When can I swing by?
Intel. He needs to step away from the procedural dramas he’s been watching all the time. I text Sawyer back:
Come over now if you can.
“You know what you need to do,” Dad says, watching me type.
“What’s that?”
“Put that phone down and go fight for what you want. Go get the woman, the life you actually deserve.” He reaches across and squeezes my hand with his swollen fingers. “Your mom and I didn’t raise you to be a coward, Campbell. Don’t start now.”
Twenty minutes later, Sawyer’s at our kitchen table with his phone out, looking like he’s about to deliver state secrets.
“So, I cornered that event photographer in the parking lot before he could leave the other night just like you wanted me to do.” Sawyer grins like he’s just won the lottery.
