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“My room,” I state, but look at him questioningly.
“Liar. Devon, Nolan, and I know you haven’t been staying at the house. It’s been a few weeks, no Ky. Is it because of Thea?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
I look around to see who is listening. It’s just Jude and I in the corner and the others are either taking shots on goal or twirling around like ballerinas. When I’m captain, this type of shit won’t happen.
“There’s just a lot of shit going on at home. It’s hard to be in multiple places all the time. Hell, it’s hard to be me and then the person my mom needs me to be. She’s got some shit going on at the park and is probably going to lose her house, which doesn’t seem to faze her because she knows I’ll figure something out. She’s constantly drowning in debt, which again, doesn’t bother her because she expects me to sign some multi-million-dollar contract so I can bail her out.”
“I’m sorry, Ky.”
“I know,” I tell him. “I’m just trying to be the best out here, on the ice and in school. I wish a thousand times over I had gone away for school because then I wouldn’t have to deal with her, but then I’d be a wreck wondering if she paid her electric bill or has money for groceries.”
Jude sighs. Out of all my roommates, he’s the only who knows about my mom’s living situation and he’s the only one who has been to her house. I’d be embarrassed if my teammates showed up there and saw where we live.
The three captains whistle for practice to start. Jude pats me on the back and tells me everything will work out and to text his sister to let her know I’m still alive and breathing. It’s probably a good thing since the last time I saw her, she patched up the cuts on my face and put the miracle cream on my ribs. Thankfully, when I went and fought for money last week, I taped them up pretty good and didn’t sustain any damage. I have a career riding on the line for the grand I’m earning each time I let someone punch me.
When we’re done, I change and head to the trainer. He works on my back, kneading the knots away. Everything feels fine until he gets to my ribs.
“That’s a nasty bruise,” he says. “Did you take a bad hit?”
“Sort of,” I tell him. I can’t be honest. Hell, I haven’t even told my mom how I was able to pay her rent for next month. “Doesn’t hurt.” I lie and I hate it.
The trainer continues to work my back until it’s loose. “I don’t speculate, but if you’re in trouble, let me know.”
“Thanks.” I hop down and wobble back to the locker room. Thankfully, most of the guys are gone, but so is most of the hot water. I should’ve showered first, but whatever, I can deal with the lukewarm water. I make quick work of the soap, wash my hair, rinse everything off, and then shut the water off. At my locker, I go through my routine and once I’m dressed, I pull my phone out of my bag and see a text.
Jude
Text Thea or just come home.
Even though his words have some truth to them, I don’t think he understands how hurtful they were. I know they weren’t meant for my ears, but I heard them, nonetheless. Am I really such a bad person he must warn his sister? The answer is yes. I’d warn my sister away from someone like me in a heartbeat. I digress though and send her a text.
Sorry I haven’t eaten the dinners.
I don’t even have time to put my phone away before the chat bubbles appear.
Thea Jensen
Where have you been? I wait up for you and you never come home. Are you okay? I’m worried.
Why is she worried when she doesn’t even know me? I frown at my phone. The last thing I want is for her to think about me, to worry about me, to even care about me. She needs to live her life, enjoy college, and think of me as a guy who sleeps on the second floor. Not one who comes home at all hours of the night, beaten and battered.
You should get your beauty sleep ?
Thea Jensen
Are you saying I’m ugly???
You’re so far from ugly.
Never. And any guy who says you are, isn’t worth your time.
There I go, big brother mode.
Thea Jensen
