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“Yeah, you might be right,” I sigh, scratching my chin, the adrenaline starting to fade from my veins.
“It’s not like you need to play hockey anymore, I mean… Your other companies do more than well enough,” Parker says.
I narrow my eyes at him, feeling something odd. Not afraid to show it, I say slowly, “Are you trying to convince me to retire, Parker?”
“No!” he splays his hands in front of his body, defensive and cowardly. “I’m just worried about you, Harvey. The more time you play, the bigger the chances of you getting hurt!”
I leave my beer at the side table, and then cross my arms, feeling furious inside, but surprisingly chill on the outside,
“Parker,” I start, now feeling my forehead, “Did you gamble your money on me retiring?”
Parker turns paper white, as if I needed a better confession to his crime.
“You did!” I clap my hands and say very sarcastically, “Why are you betting against me, dude?”
I’m indignant, and he’s rubbing his face crimson, unable to justify himself with words. I’ll give him all the time he needs, but he’s not leaving my house without explaining this betrayal.
“Harvey,” he groans then sighs. “I’m in debt.”
I scoff, “From gambling?”
“Yeah…”
“Why didn’t you ask me for a loan, Parker? Hell, I would even give the money! No questions asked! But please, don’t use your advantage to win a stupid bet!” I say, pissed.
“I don’t want to look like I’m leeching off you, man,” he says, finally looking at me. “You’re so freaking successful, and I’m here, on the verge of losing my house and going to share a basement with my sister!”
Now I’m rubbing my face red, unsure of what to do.
“What you have is beyond a simple problem, Parker, it’s an addiction. You have to seek help!”
As soon as Parker got involved in sports, and got insider knowledge on most matches and stats, he got involved with gambling, and from he’s told me, not all of it was legal.
Then suddenly, it’s like a light bulb goes off in my head, and I get an uneasy feeling. Over five years ago, I was approached by some guy to throw some games. They offered me money, but I refused and got the police involved. It turned out that he was with the mafia.
I hadn’t heard anything else from them since then, but what if they were behind this rumor?
Nah, it couldn’t be.
Parker brings me back to the present moment.
“I know, Harvey!” he places his head in between his knees. “This is the first and the last time I’m asking you, man: help me help myself.”
Cutting the conversation short, my phone rings. I stand to go grab it at the TV rack, and while I’m getting there, I pat Parker on the back and say, “We’ll get you help, dude.”
I look at my phone, and it’s mom, starting a video call, certainly to talk to me alongside dad. Sitting back on my chair, I answer it, only to see two awkwardly placed, smiling faces looking at me.
“Boy! Did you watch it?” my father says, enthusiastic.
“We’re so excited for you, Harvey! We know how badly you want to play them in the Stanley Cup and now you are!” mom adds, hands joined in front of her body. “Are we interrupting something?”
She looks around me, trying to see someone hiding behind me, and I snicker at her effort, turning the camera toward Parker.
“Nothing, mom. It’s just Parker here,” he waves. “Thank you for the support and taking such an interest in my career. You guys are the best!”
“Of course!” dad says.
“I appreciate it!” I raise my fist up.
