Page 21 of Cheap Shot

“How old is he?” she asked.

“Seventeen.”

She scrunched her nose. “So the scouts are starting to come.”

“They were coming to his games last year, and the more serious ones have already sent over offers.”

“Wow. That’s amazing.” She titled her head. “What about your parents? Are they excited for you?”

I lowered my head into my hands, massaging my temples.

“That bad?” Her voice held an understanding that only came from knowing what it felt like to be a disappointment.

“My dad’s just on me about internships and making connections and preparing for interviews once I graduate.” I rested my chin on my fist.

Her brows pulled together. “For what?”

Exactly!

I let out a sigh. “He pushed me to get a business degree and now wants me to think about what’s next.”

“The NHL doesn’t care about your degree or internships.”

I raised my brows. “Yeah. He’s not so sure I’ll make it.”

She jerked back. “What?”

“He’s never been much of an optimist. He thinks hockey is a great way for me and Jake to get school paid for, but he doesn’t think either of us will make it to the NHL.”

She shook her head. “How? I mean, hockey isn’t exactly a cheap sport. Parents have to be supportive and believe in you in order to invest so much.”

“I guess not having to pay for our school is enough of a return. He thinks everyone has to be like him, working behind a desk at the same company for the last thirty years.”

“Wow. I don’t know what to say to that.” She took in a deep breath. “It’s just so opposite of my parents with Ethan. I swear they live for the day he gets drafted.”

“That’s how it should be.”

She dropped her gaze. “Yeah, it is.”

“Are your parents supportive of you? Of what you want to do?”

She shrugged. “Up until last year. Now it doesn’t feel like they trust me or believe in me. I think they blame me.”

Was this what Ethan had hinted at? Something happened to her. I wanted to ask, but didn’t want to upset her.

“Part of me blames myself too.” She ducked her head. “Like maybe I shouldn’t have left. Like I failed because I did.”

“I don’t think you failed if you did what was best for you. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone.” That was something I learned from years of playing. If I held myself to anyone else’s standard, I was setting myself up for grief and pain. I had to focus on what was best for me and pushing myself to the limits I set.

“Thanks.” She gave me a sad smile.

“Now you have a chance prove to yourself you can do this.”

Her eyes shot to mine. “Yeah, I guess.”

“I have a feeling you’ll blow us all away.”

She grinned and let out a small laugh. “I hope so.”