Page 53 of Hot Shot
Running my hands through my damp hair, I take a deep breath. Surprisingly, Elias didn’t come after me like I thought he would, like I expected him to. I figured he’d hate to see his little brother on the ice. He never liked it when I tagged along with him as a kid and wanted to play with him and his friends.
I don’t know if he left me alone tonight because Caleb had words with him during their first shift on the ice together or if he didn’t care enough about me to risk a penalty. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful that my team had my back.
“It’s fine. Let him in, guys.”
Caleb and Wes exchange glances before stepping back. They move past me, patting me on the shoulder as they do.
“If you need anything, holler for us,” Wes says.
Caleb turns back to Elias and points a finger at him. “Don’t start shit.”
Elias nods and my teammates disappear.
“What do you want?” I grit out, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall.
“To congratulate you.” Elias steps closer to me.
“Thanks.”
“You deserve it. I’m glad I got to witness your first goal. Definitely something you’ll always remember.” Elias shoves his hands in the pockets of his slacks.
I stare at him, opening and closing my mouth a couple of times, at a loss for words.
He knows it was my first goal? He’s proud of me? He’s glad he was there to see it?
Who is this guy and what has he done with my half brother?
“I-I thought you hated me,” I finally say.Where’d that come from?
“I don’t hate you. I always thought you hated me,” he mutters, rocking back on his heels.
I rear back. “Why would I hate you?”
“Because that’s what Dad told me when I’d ask if you were coming back to visit. He said that you hated being in Colorado. Hated us.”
“No one ever asked me if I wanted to go back.” I scrunch up my forehead. “I figured you were happier without me. It was clear he didn’t love me. I guess I assumed the same from you when I didn’t hear from either of you.” I turn, ready to walk away.
I don’t know what else to say. It’s a lot to process—that he asked about me when we were kids and wondered why I didn’t come back. Here I spent years assuming he was happy I was gone so he could have our father’s full attention.
“Hunter, wait,” Elias says.
I pause but don’t turn back around.
“I tried to call you a couple of times after you moved to Minnesota. It always went to voicemail. I never understood it when I was younger but now, looking back, I think your mom blocked our father’s number. Thought it was him calling her. I left voicemails but you never called me. I wanted us to stay in touch.
“I tried to find you after I got drafted and started playing in the AHL, but the number wasn’t in service anymore. I couldn’t find an address for your mom in Minnesota. I figured you’d moved. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago I happened to be scrolling through the sports channels and stumbled upon the Frozen Four. Minnesota State was playing, and there you were.” He takes a deep breath.
I swallow, his words sinking in. Maybe he wasn’t the shit half brother I always thought he was. He was a kid, a teenager, the last time I saw him.
Maybe he deserves a chance.
“I wanted to reach out to you, but I didn’t know how. I couldn’t find you on social media. Besides, what was I going to say? Then the Storm announced they’d signed you to an entry-level contract this season. I knew I should reach out. Our paths were bound to cross.”
Over my shoulder I see him standing there, hunched over, his shoulders almost to his ears. “Oh.”
“I know you all are probably headed to the airport after this, but the next time you’re in town or we’re down there, maybe we can get a bite to eat? Get to know each other as adults? I want you in my life, Hunter.”
I turn around, crossing my arms. “This is all a lot to process, Elias. For years I’ve thought that not only did our father not want me around but neither did you. I wrote you letters. You never wrote me back.”
