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She shrugged. “They did?”
Without giving it much thought, I leaned down and hugged her.
“Maybe your father will be able to help us work this out.” She patted my back.
My gut dropped. After the conversation we’d just had, there was no way on earth that was happening. I felt like the world’s biggest asshole as I leaned back and smiled down at her.
Fuck.
18
WYSTAN
Over the next few days,I came in and out of my blissful sleep. The longest I was awake was about half an hour, or so Mom said when I finally pried my eyes open long enough to take inwhowas in my room, which included Thane, Boss, and Atlas. They were sitting in the corner with a small whiteboard between them, Atlas clearly working through strategies. They all looked so intense, and Atlas’s forehead creased in the center as he thought deeply. He was beautiful all the time, but especially when he was in game mode. As serious as he appeared, there was a genuine happiness in his eyes as he talked about hockey. I should never have taken the captaincy from him.
Mom placed a hand on my arm, and I glanced at her with a smile, though I ached. Like before, my leg was up in a sling, but this time it was bandaged from ankle to hip and there was extra padding on my knee. There was a strange pull around my kneecap, and I suspected it was because I’d had the surgery that I briefly remembered them talking about while I was high.
“You’re awake.” Atlas threw the whiteboard at Boss, who caught it effortlessly, and stood. At first, he began to walk toward me, but then he hesitated, as if he wasn’t sure it was a good idea to come any closer.
I didn’t know if he was waiting for my permission, but I held my hand out anyway, and to my surprise he took it, threading our fingers together as he finally closed the space between us. He sat on the edge of the bed, completely ignoring Mom and our teammates as he focused in on me.
“How are you feeling?” His voice was low and... unusual. Caring. And guilty.
“Don’t.” I glared at him.
“What?” He frowned.
“It isn’t your fault. I know what you’re thinking. It isn’t a curse because you missed a game, Atlas. Fuck. We play hockey. These things happen.” Except, I didn’t really know whatthis thingwas because I’d been so in and out of a medicated slumber that I hadn’t been awake long enough to learn more about it. “How bad is it?”
He frowned. His reluctance to talk was enough info.
I groaned. “Fuck. That bad, huh?”
Mom exhaled deeply and grabbed my other hand, holding on to it for dear life. She leaned over and kissed my forehead. “They fixed your ACL. They attached tendons together, and you should make a full recovery.”
“But?” I glanced at her, fear throbbing hard in my chest in a way that made me think I was going to have a heart attack. I knew what was teasing on the edges of my consciousness, but it’d been a while since I’d had one. Alongwhile. I’d been happy in New Gothenburg, away from the expectations of California and the figure skating circuit. But now a panic attack reared its ugly head. “Tell me the truth.”
She let out a sob, and I knew it was bad because she shook her head when she couldn’t talk.
It was Atlas who finally cleared his throat and leaned closer, but he didn’t seem happy about the situation. “They think you won’t be able to play for the rest of the season. The college wants to withdraw your scholarship and give it to another player.” He gritted his teeth and his grip on my hand tightened. “But we’re gonna talk to Dad and sort this out.”
I nearly snorted, but held it in. Joseph wouldn’t care. If I was too hurt to play, he wouldwantthe team to find another player. His life was hockey, something which I’d homed in on the moment I’d met him.
As if he’d heard us talking about him, Joseph walked through the door and stopped right inside. His face was drawn, emotionless, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I gripped Atlas’s hand tighter, not willing to let it go, and Atlas didn’t yank free the way I’d expected.What had happened while I’d slept?
“You’ll need physical therapy for your knee, and it’ll begin immediately to make sure it doesn’t stiffen up.” Joseph cleared his throat, his hands shoved into the pockets of his pants. Even at whatever time it was, he looked like a lawyer in a pristine blue dress shirt, pressed perfectly, and shiny black shoes. But I supposed he didn’t make the money he did if he wasn’t on call for his rich clients. “It’ll take time. Lots of time to get your knee to function the way it should, but you’re a strong kid.”
“I’m not a kid.” The words came out meaner than I’d wanted, and I winced at Mom’s sharp intake of breath. “And I’ll prove them wrong. I’ll be back on the ice in a few months.” I looked at Atlas, expecting backup, but he cringed instead.
He let his head fall slightly so he wasn’t staring into my eyes, and I realized he didn’t expect me back this season, either. It wasmewho yanked my hand out of his, and I caught the sad puppy dog eyes when he threw me a look. Too bad for him. He should’ve defended me.
“The game isn’t worth your health.” The words were strange coming from Joseph, and even Atlas made a sound of surprise as he glanced at his father. Joseph appeared resolute, though, his mouth set in a firm line as he shuffled closer to the bed. “I mean it. You’re young and have your whole life ahead of you.”
“Why the change of heart?” I glared. “You’ve been about hockey since I got here. Remember? I’m yoursuperstar. Although, I guess Atlas is captain now. Should we go home and pack our things?”
“Wystan Finch,” Mom protested, but her glance at Joseph said she was wondering the same thing, and that broke my heart into a thousand pieces. I never wanted my mom hurt, and the fact that she questioned his love for her made this entire thing worse.
Joseph moved immediately, grabbing Mom’s hand and raising it to his lips for a kiss. “You aren’t going anywhere. This wasn’t a conditional arrangement.” He gave me his attention. “Both of you belong with us.”
