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He’s right. She is a cool chick. She’s real, not a single pretense in her. She grew up with all sorts of privilege and yet is one of the most unassuming people I’ve ever known.
“I’m enjoying my time with her. And I want more,” I tell Tyler before he goes over to talk to the beer ladies. “Thanks, man.”
He slaps me on the back and throws some money on the table for the bill. “I’m here for you, man. I know I’m a pain in the ass and can be a dick at times, but you know I’d do anything for you.”
He saunters off to try his luck, and I head out into the night. Big day tomorrow. Dad is coming to town. Things are never easy with my father, and I have a feeling they are about to get harder.
36
RAKE
If I leave the Aftershocks,I’m going to do it on a high note. At this morning’s practice, I skated like my life depended on it, and Coach definitely noticed. He’s been good to me, and I know would be sorry to see me leave. But there are some things that are out of his hands, as much as he hates it.
I spot my dad in the bleachers, so hop off the ice and work my way to him.
He extends his hand, formal as always. “Son. Good to see you.”
“Hey Dad,” I say, going in for a hug, even though I know he’ll hate it.
“Ha, ha,” he laughs awkwardly. “It’s good to see you. Sorry I missed your last game. Things were heating up at work.”
Jesus. I’m trying to remember the last time I saw this man. Aside from spotting him in the stands at a couple games where I got him tickets, I don’t think I’ve seen him face to face in months.
He looks different. Not drastically so, but somewhat older, I suppose. The lines around his eyes are deeper, and his former salt-and-pepper hair is becoming more salt than pepper.
Shit, does that mean I look older too?
“How business?” I ask.
His face lights up. He loves his work, a construction company he founded when his own hockey career went south. “We got a couple new contracts that will take us through the end of the year. I’m feeling good about things.”
“And Mom?”
He chuckles. “Same as always. Busy with her activities. You know your mother. You should come home and visit.”
And here we go.
“Well, you know that’s hard for me during the season, Dad. That’s why I try to get you guys to come to the games. You know I’ll take care of your airfare and hotels. It won’t cost you a cent.”
He looks away, like he’s examining the ice. I suspect what he’s really doing though, is thinking back to his own days playing. An injury ruined his plans for a pro career pretty early on. So, he pushed me into hockey when I was a kid, which for years gave us something big in common. But when I started earning some real star power, he pulled back.
Mom says it makes him wistful. I think it’s more than that.
“Son, I’m here because BJ asked me to talk to you.”
A chill sweeps over me even though I’m sweating from practice. Why the hell is BJ calling my father?
“What about, Dad? What’s on your mind? Or should I say, BJ’s mind?”
This is fucked. If BJ has something to say, he should say it to my face. Not put my father up to delivering some kind of message.
Yet here we are.
“I’ve been reading the stories, Rake. You’ve gotten yourself into a fine mess here.”
Is that what he’s here for? To scold me?
But I remain respectful. “You’re right, Dad. Working on straightening all that out as we speak.”
