Page 106 of Off The Rush
“Rematch?” he challenges, raising an eyebrow.
“Anytime,” I reply with a grin.
The laughter and playful banter continue as we immerse ourselves in the world of video games, momentarily forgetting our worries. I’m about to deliver a final blow to Alec’s character when his phone starts vibrating on the coffee table, the harsh sound cutting through the momentary joy.
“Ugh,” Alec mutters as he glances at the screen, his eyes widening slightly when he sees the caller ID. “It’s my dad.”
“Are you going to answer it?” Luka asks cautiously, pausing the game mid-action.
Alec hesitates, his fingers drumming nervously on his thigh. “I guess I should.”
“Good luck,” JD murmurs with genuine concern, casting a supportive glance in his direction.
“Thanks,” Alec replies, taking a deep breath before swiping the screen to accept the call. He puts the phone on speaker, allowing us all to hear the conversation. “Hey, Dad.”
“Alec,” his dad’s gruff voice echoes through the room, instantly tensing the atmosphere. “I just got off the phone with your coach. He told me about the suspension.”
“Look, Dad, I can explain–” Alec starts, but his father cuts him off.
“Explain? What is there to explain? You’ve jeopardized your entire hockey career because of some… relationship?” The disdain in his voice is palpable. I can feel Alec’s embarrassment and frustration radiating off him in waves.
“Emma isn’t just ‘some relationship’, Dad,” Alec defends, his voice shaking slightly. “She’s important to me, and so are JD and Luka. We’re all in this together.”
“Be that as it may,” his dad counters sharply, “it doesn’t change the fact that you’re suspended from the team. You need to end this nonsense and get your priorities straight.”
“Seriously, Dad? My life isn’t all about hockey, you know,” Alec snaps, anger finally getting the better of him.
“Maybe it should be if you want to have a future in this family,” his father replies coldly before hanging up, not even giving Alec a chance to respond.
A heavy silence descends on the room as we all process the harsh words that were just exchanged. I can’t imagine what Alec must be feeling right now.
Fuming, Alec slams his phone down on the coffee table, the rage in his blue eyes unmistakable. “Can you believe my dad?” he growls, clenching his fists. “Who does he think he is, trying to control my life like that?”
JD, always the calm one, gently places a hand on Alec’s arm. “Will your dad really cut you off if you don’t end this relationship and get back on the team?”
“Probably,” Alec admits, frustration evident in his voice. “All he cares about is hockey and appearances. He doesn’t give a damn about what I want or how I feel.”
I can’t help but feel sympathy for Alec, as well as a lot of guilt. It’s because of me that he’s in this situation. “I’m sorry, Alec. If there’s anything I can do…”
He shakes his head, forcing a smile. “It’s not your fault, Emma. Don’t worry about it.”
Curiosity gets the better of me, and I turn to JD and Luka. “What about your parents? Are they going to be upset too?”
JD chuckles, shaking his head. “My mom might scold me for fighting, but she’ll be upset for me, not at me. She knows how much all of this means to me.”
“Same here,” Luka agrees. “My parents will be disappointed about the suspension, but they’ll understand. They’ve always encouraged love in whatever form it comes.”
“What about your family, Emma?” Alec asks.
“My brothers might want to kill you three but with Tristan’s help, they’ll get over it. My dad doesn’t talk to me, I don’t think he will care.”
They already know my mom has passed away.
“Looks like it’s my dad that’s the problem,” Alec snaps.
“We will find a way through this. All of us have your back even if your family doesn’t,” JD says.
“We can be our own family,” I add.
