Page 107 of Puck Fest
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.” He leans forward. “You screwed up. Talking to that journalist was stupid. You should have known better. But the guy you were with? He screwed up too. Ending it without talking to you first. That’s not right.”
I let out a sigh. “He was trying to protect everyone?—”
“He was trying to control the situation. There’s a difference.” Dad’s voice is firm. “But here’s the thing. You both made mistakes. The question is whether those mistakes are bigger than what you have together.”
“I don’t know if we have anything together anymore.”
“Then find out. Stop sitting around feeling sorry for yourself and find out.”
“He won’t talk to me.”
“Then make him talk to you. Show up. Be persistent. Make him see you’re not giving up.” Dad stands. “You’ve been avoiding this family for months because you were ashamed. But we’re still here. We still love you. Maybe he’s the same way. Maybe he’s just scared and hurting and doesn’t know how to reach out.”
“Or maybe he really is done.”
“Maybe. But you won’t know unless you try.” He pats my shoulder. “And if he is done? Then you move on. But at least you’ll know you fought for it.”
My phone rings. Tate.
I answer. “Yeah?”
“Where are you?”
“My parents’ place. Why?”
“There’s a youth clinic at Play It Forward on Thursday. Sam Hartley reached out to Carter. He asked if you’d come help out. I guess he figured you could use something to do besides sit around being miserable.”
“I’m suspended.”
“It’s not a team event. It’s community outreach. You’re allowed to do that.” Tate pauses. “Plus it’d be good for your image. Show people you’re still committed to the community work even without the mandate.”
I glance at my family. They’re all watching me.
“Yeah. Okay. I’ll be there.”
“Good. Thursday at two.”
He hangs up.
“What was that?” Cody asks.
“It was Tate letting me know about a youth hockey clinic on Thursday.”
“You going?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
“Good.” Dad nods. “Do something productive. Stop wallowing.”
I finish the sandwich and stay for another hour. We talk about Cody’s business, Mom’s garden, Dad’s golf game…normal things that have nothing to do with suspensions or scandals or broken relationships.
When I leave, Mom hugs me again.
“Come back soon,” she says. “Don’t make it months again.”
“I won’t.”
