“That’s the ultimate goal, but we’ll take goals scored in every game we play, win or lose. As long as we’re competitive in our first season, we can build from there.”
“I won’t offer to cross my fingers because I don’t think you need me to.”
“No. We don’t. You sure you don’t want a job?” I ask with a small smile. It’s been a running joke since the idea of KAW owning a hockey team was first floated.
“Can’t leave Cash.”
“I can understand that.” I wouldn’t expect him to leave his teenage son despite him no longer being with the boy’s mother. “But if that ever changes, give me a call.”
Prologue - Chase
April - 13 months later
I’ve been preparing for this moment for months.
Months of knowing Mom was going to die and there was nothing I could do about it. Nothinganyonecould do.
It still doesn’t seem real.
But here I am, standing in the same place I did less than two weeks ago with a thirteen-year-old clinging to each hand and a four-week-old strapped to my chest.
Thankfully, Candace is asleep and, if I’m lucky, she’ll stay that way for the rest of the service.
Cass and Stell are wide awake though. Well aware of what’s happening. Both standing with matching poses of stiff spine, chin up, lips pressed tight in a thin line, and tear-filled eyes that refuse to leak.
I knew we were going to be burying Mom—my gaze darts to the fresh grave beside hers—but I never expected to bury both my parents before I turned twenty-one.
Didn’t expect to become guardian to my three younger sisters either.
Especially with Candace only a few weeks old.
I still don’t know how I got here. Standing beside Dad’s ten-day old grave while they lower Mom into the one next to him.
Two weeks.
That’s all it’s taken to turn my life upside down, inside out, and sideways.
A few months ago, I was a carefree twenty-year-old, living my best college life, being scouted by top NHL teams.
Now I’m a single parent of three.
Over the last few weeks, a few well-meaning people have suggested I let my sisters go into the system so I can get back to my life.
Fuck, in the days after Dad was killed, even Mom tried to convince me letting Candace be adopted was the best option for all of us.
What kind of option is destroying our whole family in a matter of weeks?
Not. Happening.
We’re a family and we’ll stay a family. I refuse to give up any of them.
I might be scared right down to my fucking bones, freaking out more times than not every single day, but the only way I’m letting go of any of my sisters is if I’m in the ground next to Mom and Dad.
I’m the only family they have left—the three of them allIhave left.
We belong together.
Whatever it takes, I’m keeping them with me. Raising them the best I can.
