Page 84 of The Call-Up
“We’re planning on telling them in Dallas.” He suddenly looks queasy.
She looks at me. “And when are you telling yours?” I can sense the nerves coming off of her. It’s like she already knows that my parents are going to be the issue.
“We’re not,” I say. “We don’t speak.”
Her face falls in sympathy. “Because of this?”
I shake my head no. “I mean… this doesn’t help, but it’s not the reason.”
Michelle’s voice is gentle. “May I ask what is?”
“Long or short version?”
“Let’s start with the short. For right now, I just need the basics, so we’re all prepared.”
“My mom had an affair. I’m not my dad’s kid. They cut ties with me pretty much as soon as I got sent to Green Bay to play junior hockey.”
“Which is when you two met, correct?” Michelle asks, not lingering.
I nod my head yes this time and breathe a sigh of relief. Happy that she sped right past the bullshit.
“Looks like I need to beat the shit out of Ryan’s father,” Danton says, his voice low and angry.
“No one is beating the shit out of anyone,” Coach Chris says. “We’re fighting for a chance to play in the Stanley Cup Finals.” He pauses his pacing and looks at me. “Ryan, we can deal with your shitty parents when the season’s over.”
Danton slaps him a high five. “Damn right.” He then comes to stand by me and places a hand on my shoulder. “You know, this explains a lot about you, right?”
I shrug under his palm.
“Vicky and I never liked that your parents never showed up for you.”
“Neither did mine,” Brandon says.
She smiles warmly at him. “I’m assuming your parents will be in your guys’ corner.”
Brandon places his hands in his lap. “Definitely.”
“Good.” She points at him. “And you have Ander too. He’s going to be very helpful.”
“He’s our potential opponent,” Coach Chris says. “Let’s not get too buddy buddy with him.”
Michelle looks at her husband with a knowing smirk on her face. “You and I both know that’s what the league is hoping for.”
He stops his pacing and smiles at her. “Two brothers battling it out for the glory of the cup.”
“You against the players you used to coach,” she adds.
I grab Brandon’s hand, and smile when he looks down at it, and then over at me. “And two players falling for each other.”
Danton wipes his eyes. “Damn it,” he says. “I’m suddenly feeling very romantic about hockey.”
Michelle shakes her head and laughs. “You boys are such a trip.” She takes her attention back to me and Brandon. “I’ll prepare a statement just in case it’s needed or the two of you change your mind. No matter what, you’ll have the full support of this organization. I’ll make sure of that.”
“Thank you,” Brandon and I both say together.
I look over at Brandon. He looks a little calmer, but I know inside that head of his, he’s freaking out. I don’t know why. His parents are the best that there is.
THIRTY-ONE
