AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was Thursday, so whatever.
I think it was the suspension part that really had Dad’s pissiness in full-force, though. None of my siblings had ever been suspended, making me the first in yet another disappointing action.
Hell, it was only for a day. Winter break was starting.
But still, I wasn’t about to open my mouth at the moment. I wasn’t that stupid.
Especially with him continuously muttering Alex’s name under his breath.
When we pulled up to the house, I groaned when I saw the multiple cars littering the driveway. I forgot that every single damn person in my family was due home today.
Ken and Avery returned home for winter break, Myke was in the family home getting ready for our trip up to the lake house, and with the Enforcers having a lucky break in schedule near the holiday, Caleb and Sydney flew in while I was in school.
And surprise, surprise, Jonny wasn’t making it home for Christmas.
Again.
With the girls and Cael home, unfortunately this meant my latest issue was going to be front and center with all my siblings. This wasn’t something that was going to fly under the radar. Oh no. They were all going to hear about it.
While we had waited for the tech to draw my blood at the station, Dad talked about canceling the trip up north for Christmas. However, because our extended family was meeting us there, he decided that because I would be with family and away from my friends, it would be ok for us to do the trip.
The entire family was sitting in the family room, spread out among the couch and love seat, my sisters sitting on the floor. Everyone’s bags were by the door and ready to be loaded into cars for the five-hour trip to the family lake house.
Nothing like your fuck-up being the center of attention.
“I talked to Coach Max,” Dad was saying. Mom was sitting on the stoop of our fireplace and Dad stood beside her. “He’s willing to talk to the board at University to allow you in after winter break is up.”
“You can’t reward him for this, Dad.” Caleb was sitting in a rocker with a very pregnant Sydney in his lap. Brandon was napping in their room.
Dad looked at me as he answered Cael. “One, I think Porter knows that this is his last chance to play hockey.” Regardless of it not being my weed, I wasn’t exactly surprised that Dad was considering this my third strike. It wasn’t about the drugs; it was about my choice in friends. “East’s team won’t take him back.”
My eyes narrowed. “What?”
His brows lifted, Dad shrugged. “Your coach is suspending both you and Alex indefinitely.” He glanced back at Caleb. “Two, your brother would be stupid to say no to University at this point. Besides, University won’t take his shit.”
“They’re probably stricter about grades and sports, too,” Avery offered, reiterating Dad’s point. I cut her a glance. I thought she, of anyone, would have my back. Her eyes met mine and she quickly looked down, shrugging a shoulder.
“Porter?” Dad was waiting for my response.
I knew that if I didn’t choose University, I was kissing hockey goodbye. I’d probably be able to get back on the team next year, but scouts were looking this year. Losing the last part of my junior year on the team was not ideal in any way.
I could stay at Beloit East and hope I could make some sort of bang during the hockey season next year, reaching my other goals of taking down Caleb and Jonny’s names, but what was that going to get me if the scouts didn’t look at me again?
I’d be stuck trying to get on a college team, hoping the scouts would see me then. If they didn’t, I was fucking playing for the Enforcers because that organization would take me. It was a freaking rule or something.
I crossed my arms and took a resigning breath. I really had no choice. “Fine. Tell Coach Max—”
“Ask,” Mom corrected.
“Ask,” I looked at Mom, “Coach Max if I can finish the year at University.”
“Not just the year, Porter. Your Senior year too.”
“I get it, Dad.” I wasn’t exactly thrilled by it, but if I could still play, I would take what I could get.
***
It was easy to forget about the whole school debacle with the holiday. I rode up to the lake house with Cael, Syd, and my nephew. Brandon was eighteen months and wasn’t the best conversationalist, but between “Team Umizoomi” and “Blaze and the Monster Machines”, he was pretty content on the five-hour drive.
