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Johnny emerged from Isabelle’s old bedroom and stood at the top of the banister on the second floor. “You’ve got a lot of balls coming here, big fella.”
I waved him down. “Come on down, Johnny. We need to talk.”
“Why? You got more surprises you wanna spring on me?”
I shook my head. “No more surprises. No more secrets, either. I want to do everything out in the open.”
“So what do you want?”
“I want your help.”
“Why should I help you?” he asked.
“Why don’t you come down and listen to what he has to say, John?” Eleanor countered. “Can’t you see he’s upset?”
“Actually, I want to talk to you both,” I said.
Johnny threw his hands into the air. “Alright. Won’t change a thing but fuck it, whatever. Let’s hear it,” he said, and began down the stairs.
“Can I get you something to drink, Rust?” Eleanor asked as we moved to the living room.
“No, thank you.”
The three of us sat, a healthy distance between each of us. I wrung my hands, staring at them both, working up the nerve to say what I had to say.
“Well?” Johnny asked impatiently.
I took a deep breath and began speaking, filling them both in on my version of events. Thewholestory, beginning to end, all the way up until my fight with Isabelle last week. And how miserable I’ve been ever since.
“Truth is, I’m lost without her,” I said. “And I don’t have any way to contact her now. She’s blocked me.”
“Serves you right.” Johnny snickered. “But I don’t believe a word you’re saying, by the way. You don’t miss her at all. The way you’re playing? You’re on cloud nine.”
I shook my head. “It means nothing. And that’s what I’ve realized. I’ve put all my focus and dedication into hockey, but without someone to share it with, what’s the point? Who am I really playing for? Myself? I’ve already won everything there is to win. It didn’t bring me any sort of lasting happiness. Winning is empty, it’s hollow, it doesn’t last. Without the person I love, winning doesn’t mean a damn thing.”
“Love?” Eleanor asked, her eyes softening.
Johnny wasn’t moved so easily. “You don’t love her.”
“But I do,” I said, and resolutely nodded. “Johnny, Ele, I want you to hear it from me: I’m totally in love with your daughter,” I said, speaking from the bottom of my heart. “Johnny, I know how you feel about us. I’m sorry I got with Isabelle behind your back. I’m sorry I kept it a secret from you. I shouldn’t have done that; I should’ve told you earlier. That’s what a true best friend would’ve done. I hope someday you’ll forgive me, but I know I don’t really deserve it.”
“Got that right,” he said.
“So if you never want to be friends again, I’ll understand. You’re my best friend, Johnny. But that’s how serious I am about Isabelle. She’s the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with. She’s my second shot at love. I want to be there with her and raise our baby together. And I’m not letting her get away without a fight.”
He grumbled and looked away, his jaw clenched.
I turned to Eleanor. “Ele, I’m not really sure what you think about us.”
She said nothing, but wore a coy smile.
“But you’re her parents. And it’s really important to me that you both support her. She needs it. And if this is going to work out between me and her,Ineed it, too.”
Johnny silently reveled in the power he held over me, a devilish twinkle in his eye.
“What exactly do you want us to do?” Eleanor asked.
I took another deep breath and explained the plan I’d hatched in the back of the cab.
