He snorted. “No. Absolutely not. It was like being raised by your principal. They push you to do good and do your best, but they have really high standards that you can’t meet and when you don't you’re punished.”
“How do they feel about hockey?” I asked.
His eyes seemed to drain of the vibrancy they usually held until only something dull and hollow remained.
“They hate it. I was supposed to take over the family business and become a lawyer. I’m not the type to help rich men get away with things they shouldn’t. Money shouldn’t put you above the law.”
He shook his head. There was genuine disgust on his face. Kota had always seemed so humble and this conversation only proved he was a good man.
“Mom was the same. She expected so much of me and took it as a personal insult when I didn’t follow the path she chose for me. My heritage very much demands that we take care of family as they get older, but I haven’t talked to them in a long time. I don’t plan to, either.”
“Sounds like they’re at fault for that. When you treat the world like crap, you end up alone,” I said, thinking of my own father.
“The only family I was close to were my grandparents on my mom’s side. That’s where the money came from, too. Ironic, right? They were fantastic and so loving and caring. The opposite of my parents in every way possible.”
His voice caught and I scooted closer, squeezing his hand.
“And when they died...” He let out a breath before regaining his composure. “It tore me apart. But Grandpa left me my own trust, my own legacy, so I don’t have to rely on them. I think he knew what they were like and didn’t want me to have to endure that. So, I cut them off before they could cutmeoff.”
“Wow,” I breathed out, wishing I could take away the pain in his voice. “Are they still around North Crossing?”
“Not anymore. My parents moved out to Chicago. My grandparents had an estate here that I inherited when they both passed. This is where my roots are. Where I belong.”
“You live in an estate all alone?”
“No,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to be seen as some bratty rich guy. I just want to be known for my skills, so I have an apartment near the arena and keep my background to myself.”
“So, let me get this straight. You have an entire estate somewhere here in North Crossing, but you also have an apartment?”
“That I share with Lachlan,” he admitted, looking a bit sheepish.
“Does Lach know about it?”
He shook his head.
“I’ve tried to tell him a few times. He knows what my family is like, and he knows they cut me off, but he doesn’t know about what I have.”
“Thank you for sharing it with me. I would never hold it against you.”
He smiled softly as if he already knew that. This delta trusted me and I couldn’t help but feel the same.
“I come from a very different background. I was raised by a single mom. We had a lot of struggles growing up but things have changed lately. OnceThe Gathering Placetook off, I tried to take care of her. Although, now that I’ve got this job, she’s living her best life, furthering her schooling and making something of herself. Is it weird to be proud of a parent?”
“No, I think it’s sweet,” he reassured me, his fingers trailing up and down my arm.
“I did my research on you.The Gathering Placeis huge now. I love that you have something for everyone. It’s not just a gossip magazine like some people here have made it out to be, but a genuine place to share inspiration and advice.”
My chest warmed. I loved that he saw the reason why I created the magazine.
“That’s what I always wanted it to be. Despite what the coach thinks about me, I take it seriously. My reputation means something to me. I don’t just let people pay me off to write whatever they want. I write what I think is right.”
“Good for you,” he agreed. “Integrity means something. I respect that, little bat.”
Our food was delivered, and we both dug in, letting the conversation drift back to lighter things.
My eyes flickered to the door from time to time to see if my other two packmates had walked in but it seemed they were still outside chatting. I hoped that was a good sign.
“So,” he finally said when he finished. “How are you feeling about the coach?”
