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“Your mom doesn’t know, either?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Fuck,” I murmured, running a hand through my hair.
This was notgood at all. This wasexactlythe kind of thing Johnny wanted to know—and truthfully, could already sense. He’d known she was hiding something from him, and he was right.
Johnny’s not going to like this.
Her eyebrows knitted together. “Hey, you’re not going to break your promise, are you?”
“No …” I said. “Okay, so if you’re not in school, what are you doing?”
“Working. I’ve been saving money instead.”
“Well, I can’t judge you for that.” I drew a contemplative breath and said, “You know, coming out of high school, I had scholarship offers. My parents weren’t pleased, but I skipped college to jump right into the NHL. The pro paycheck was far more enticing than the free college ride. Honestly, I can’t say I regret that choice, either. Hockey’s what I always wanted to do.”
Her smile reached her eyes. “Thanks for saying that, Rust. It means a lot.”
“But wait, why’d you drop out?”
She sighed. “I dunno. Dad wants me to do pre-law. He’s got this idea that, with a law degree and all his hockey connections, I could become a sports agent.”
“An agent?” I raised an eyebrow. “Is that something you’re interested in?”
“No! Not at all. I mean, his plan makes sense, but I don’t want to be a sports agent. Hockey’s cool and all, but I’m not really that interested in it. Especially as a career. Honestly, I’m not even interested in law. Law bores me.”
“Well, why don’t you tell him that, Isabelle?”
“I’ve tried. He won’t listen,” she said with a frown. “He’s got this whole plan laid out for me. It’s like I don’t have any say in the matter.”
“Is there something else you’d rather study?”
“That’s the worst part, Rust. I don’t even know.” Her eyes were so big and beautiful, even when they were filled with sadness. “All I know is, I don’t want to disappoint Dad. But it feels like that’s all I ever do.”
I set my hand on her shoulders and gave her a comforting squeeze. “Listen, sweetheart, your dad is extremely proud of you. And always will be. No matter what you do in life.”
She was too young to have such a cynical laugh. “Believe me, I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t think it’s exactly true,” she said.
I frowned. “Isabelle, can I ask you something? Why’d you tell me this?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m sick of all the lies?” I didn’t understand exactly what she meant, but I could sense her underlying pain, and I wished I could take it away from her. “Or maybe I’m hoping you have some advice for me?”
“Advice about what?”
“My situation. I dunno. Anything.”
I mulled it over for a second.
“Take this with a grain of salt, because I never had to worry about school,” I began. “But if it weren’t for hockey? I would’ve been in your boat; I’d have no idea what to study. Honestly, I think I’d probably do what you’re doing. I’d take a year or two off school to work and figure out what it is I want to do with my life. I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all.”
“What about Dad? Do you think I should tell him I dropped out?”
“Do your parents give you money for school?”
She vehemently shook her head. “Not a cent. I earn all my money.”
“In that case—and your dad wouldn’t be happy with me if he heard me saying this, by the way—I don’t see anything wrong with it. Yeah, it’d be better if you could talk with your parents and tell them what you’re doing. But it sounds to me like you’re an independent adult. I’d say there’s nothing wrong with waiting to tell them until you feel ready.”
