She shakes her head and giggles. I remember the first time she laughed at something I did. She was a few months old and hearing her laugh was literally the best moment of my life. That’s when I started seeing her as a human and not some crying, pooping blob who didn’t sleep when I did.
I was still in high school when Ally came home and told mom and I she was pregnant. My mom wasn’t supportive, barely said a thing to my sister, except she needed to find a way to take care of her child. I held Ally all night while she cried. She was scared. I was too. I didn’t want my mom to kick her out of the house. When my graduation rolled around, I almost stayed home instead of going to juniors. My mentor encouraged me to leave Northport and spread my wings on the ice. Each day I was gone, I called to talk to Lacey. I never want her to think I don’t love her or can’t be there for her. When I go to the NHL, my baggage will come with me, which is another reason to stay closed off to everyone. The place I’m in with my family doesn’t allow for any outside interference. As much as I’d love to date someone—like Thea—it’ll never happen because I’ll never be able to put them first.
My mom leans into me and whispers, “I’m nervous.”
“I know,” I say as I pat her leg. I’m nervous as well. Today, we find out the fate of the mobile home park, and when everyone must move. The developers invited everyone to a meeting at some fancy posh restaurant. One would think they’d have a buffet or something, but no. If you want to eat, which everyone does because it’s dinner time, then you’re on your own to order. I took one look at the menu and told the server we’ll have coffee. A BLT here costs more than one of my textbooks. It bothers me an establishment can get away with overcharging for two slices of bread, some bacon, a tomato, and generic mayo.
An entire group of suits walk in, and I roll my eyes. They’re each carrying a briefcase instead of the much cooler messenger bags. I groan and my mom gives me the side eye. I don’t know what outcome she’s expecting, but she wrote out a speech about why she needs to live where she does and how their plans for development hurt people like her. I warned her they won’t listen or care; big corporations are all about money. The park owner sold out and didn’t care about his tenants. In fact, I think he’s already taken the money and fled town. I haven’t seen him sleazing around, looking in windows. I’ve never liked him, and I’m glad he’s gone, except for the fact my mom, niece, and sister are about to be homeless.
A suit stands and clears his throat. Not once. Not twice. But three freaking times and I can’t figure out if he’s doing it because he has something stuck or if he didn’t get the attention he wanted the first two times. When the people attending this meeting don’t quiet down, he picks up a fork and a glass of water and bangs the utensil against the glass, and yells, “Be quiet!”
What a pompous ass.
The rest of his minions settle in. One sets out stacks of papers in front of the five empty seats, while another hands out the useless information to us peons. I take it from my mom and flip through the pages—all gibberish. Nothing but plans for the development, how much the investment into Northport is costing these people, and how much it’s going to cost potential renters to lease out space for their business.
Once everyone has settled, the minions sit down next to their fearful leader. I lock eyes with the one who sits on the right and my breathing comes up short.What the fuck?One of these piece-of-shit people is none other than Thea’s boyfriend, Adam. I glare at him, hoping he will look up so I can convey my complete and utter disgust.
When the impatient one starts talking, I focus on Adam. And for the first time in my life, I wish I was some stupid superhero. I’d burn him with my laser eyes and strangle him with my extra-long arms.
The suit continues to talk. I pick up bits and pieces but am having a hard time tearing my attention away from Adam and the woman sitting next to him. They’re oblivious to the people in front of them and how we can see them holding hands under the table. Surely they must know everyone across from them can see when Adam slips his hand between her legs. Now, not only do I want to maim this motherfucker because he works for the company responsible for displacing my family, but this douche is cheating on Thea.
I do what the suit did and clear my throat loudly, until the man stops talking. “May I help you?” His tone has bite. It’s snarky and condescending. He thinks I’m beneath him because I’m on this side of the room and not his.
“Nah,” I say, shaking my head. “I’m just trying to make sure Adam there sees me.” I wink and nod toward his hand. Adam doesn’t flinch. The suit looks at his protégé, shrugs, and continues to babble on about new sewer pipes and water lines. And still, after being called out in front of a room full of people, this piece-of-crap douchebag continues to touch the woman next to him.
As soon as I lift my phone, he stops, ruining every bit of joy I was about to bring to myself. It’s probably a good thing because I don’t want to hurt Thea, but I’ll gladly tell her brother. There’s no way in hell Jude will allow this shit to go on.
I try to pay attention, but the monotonous dribble coming out of this guy’s mouth is boring me. I raise my hand and wait for acknowledgement. When it comes, I ask, “At what point in this packet are you going to get to the crux of the matter?”
“Which is?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I say in disbelief. “Do you think all these people are here to listen to you talk about what kind of lighting you’re going to use in your parking lot? You’re displacing people. They’re losing their homes so you can build some strip mall full of nail salons.”
“And you’d rather, I what?” he asks. Before I can even form a response, he starts talking again. “Own a run down, filthy mobile home park, with dirt roads and dilapidated homes? This space is prime real estate and I fully intend to earn my money back. Now I’m sorry if you don’t agree with my business plan or if you think I’m going to put other people’s needs before those of my business. I made each person in the park a generous offer. Some took it, others didn’t. Maybe they thought they could call my bluff, but I assure you, I’m as straightforward as the next person,” he pauses and looks around the room. “If you’re here because you think you’re going to get another dime out of me with some sob story, think again. The offer I made months ago has an expiration date on it. The bulldozer breaks ground in a few months. I suggest you stop at the store on your way home and get some boxes.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from lashing out. Glancing at my mom, her head is down, and I know, without confirmation, she’s ignored this man’s offer. “I’m leaving,” I tell her through gritted teeth. “I have practice.”
There is zero satisfaction from standing up in the middle of this meeting and pushing my chair forward because the carpet muffles everything. I storm out of there, slamming doors as I go. And, as luck would have it, my car doesn’t start on the first or second try. I slam my hands against the steering wheel and scream out. I want a fucking redo on the family pool. I don’t deserve to have all of this shit put on my shoulders. I just want to play hockey and go pro. That’s the life I want.
Finally, my car starts. I put it into drive and start to pull my foot off the break, only to stop. It seems Adam followed me or decided to use my distraction to excuse himself from the meeting. He and his play toy are kissing their way to their car. I put my car in park and get out.
“Hey, you fucking piece of shit! What is Thea going to think when she finds out you’re cheating on her?”
Adam turns, puts his finger up to this plaything and walks over to my car. I get out, ready to beat the shit out of this punk. He keeps his hands in his pockets and looks ever-so smug. “It’s like this,” he says. “I have money.” Adam shrugs. “You don’t. Do you really think someone like Thea is going to believe you over me? Her boyfriend of four years?” He shakes his head. “Tell her, see what happens.” He’s so cocky, he winks before he turns around. I think about going after him—pounding him into the ground, until my future pops into my mind and I realize—he’s not worth my career.
Thirteen
Thea
The roarfrom the crowd is deafening. If anyone passing the arena could hear the noise they would think the spectators were watching the Stanley Cup final. This is how passionate NU supporters are though. We get behind our team and we cheer and encourage them up until the final seconds. I’m sure it’s how all supporters cheer on their team, but somehow this feels special, like we’ve been invited into the inner sanctum for our players and are there to offer each and every one of them everything they need to win the game, win the league, and win the trophies.
We’re in the final period and Northport University is winning against University of Ashbridge. It’s been a close match, but NU is the more superior team and are currently up by three goals. We only have to hold out for another five minutes and we’ll have won. All in all, it’s been a clean game. I say this loosely because it’s not been without a few players being sent to the sin bin, but college hockey is relatively fight free. The rules don’t allow it. Devon and Nolan, together with Mike, Saul, and Brad have skated well, their passes have been on point, and the goals have gone in seamlessly. As for Kyler? He’s been aggressive, purposeful, and focused. Without him, I’m sure the scoreboard would be telling a different story. With the third-period horn sounding, the PA system blares the NU victory song. Whoever chose Irene Cara’s “What a Feeling” should definitely pat themselves on their back. The song is fitting for a win. The boys meet at center ice and congratulate each other before forming a line to shake hands with Ashbridge. All bar one, who has skated off the ice without any fanfare.
As I gather our bags, I feel my phone go off in my pocket and quickly take it out. To my delight, there’s a text message from Adam.
Adam: I’m outside. Can you meet me?
I admit to being a little shocked. It’s a weekday, so it’s unusual for Adam to have made the three-hour trip to Northport, but I can’t hide the fact I’m also giddy with excitement. The last time I saw him was when we had our housewarming party, and we didn’t exactly part on good terms. I tell Millie I’ll meet her outside and race to find Adam. It takes me a few minutes as he’s not standing by the doors—instead he’s by his car, parked at the far end of the car park and looking intently at his phone.