“Before joining the family business?”
“Yeah. I know dropping out was the right thing, it was time, but I promised my mom I’d go back and get a degree someday. Now I have to actually do it.”
I’m insanely curious why his family forced him to drop out. My dad has always stressed the importance of a college education. After all, he works everyday with athletes who don’t get a chance to finish their education. By the time their careers are over, their bodies are battered and they have to start over. Even though I’m not a hockey player, he didn’t want that for me. He wants me to launch into adulthood as successful as I can be.
Although a career in library science might not be the most stable financially, I’m fairly certain it’s the most rewarding thing I can do. I’m a private person and I don’t use social media. I have no interest in working in hockey, even if it was something we could do together. I need a life outside of my dad.
Books have always been my solace. After my mom split when I was four, he did the best he could, but he has always given his job a hundred and ten percent. It became a regular occurrence that I’d be sitting up in the team box with my backpack full of books during his games. There was a nanny who would stay with me when he had road trips, but considering the team’s grueling schedule, she deserved some time off, too.
I grew up in the arenas, first in Calgary, then New York, and later in Nashville, surrounded by hockey 24/7. The players were my foul-mouthed big brothers, looking out for me. Almost like a family.
When Dad signed the contract with Boston the summer after I graduated high school, it seemed like the perfect chance to start over. Start fresh.
He’ll be working while we’re in LA, but maybe I can convince him to take a few days off before training camp starts. We can go to the beach and relax.
I sigh. My dad wouldn’t know the word relax if it smacked him in the face. I guess I’ll be on my own again. I’m used to it; I’m always alone.
Chapter 2
Seb
Audrey, cute brunette sitting beside me, looks positively forlorn. I’m overcome by the urge to pull her into my arms and tell her it will all be okay. I’ll fight off every one of her negative thoughts like I fight off pucks each night. I’m a goaltender; I’ll tend to her heart.
I always thought love at first sight was a fairytale. Something made up. But from the moment I laid eyes on her, my heart thumped nearly out of my chest, trying to fit itself to hers.
Audrey Turner is the love of my life. Sure, I barely know her. There’s plenty of time. We have the rest of our lives to get to know each other, though.
But when the plane lands and I pull out my phone to ask for her number, the damn thing rings with a call.
Heaving a sigh, I answer. “I can’t talk right now. I’m still on the plane.”
“Dude, Dad is about to blow a gasket,” Luke says. “You need to get here, like, ASAP.”
“We’re literally on the tarmac waiting for our gate,” I tell my brother. I send Audrey an apologetic look, but she’s not looking at me, putting away her Kindle and getting ready to go.
Luke jammers on in my ear. I grimace, trying to speed him along.
We’re in the third row, so we’re let off the plane right away. Audrey stands and extracts her carry-on suitcase from the overhead compartment, then walks off the plane.
She doesn’t look back.
Fuck.
I hang up on Luke in the middle of his sentence, shoving my phone into my pocket. I jog down the jet bridge, trying to catch sight of my future wife.
But Audrey must have rocket fuel in her shoes because she’s nowhere to be found.
With a dark cloud over my head, I head to the baggage area. She’s not there, either. Grabbing my suitcase out of the carousel, I grab a ride-share and head to the hotel.
We’re in LA for the NHL draft. My brothers Luke and Joe are already playing in the league with me. This year, it’s time for the youngest brother, Michael, to be drafted. He’s projected to go high in the first round. After all, he’s a Henry. Our grandfather, our dad, and two of our uncles all played at the highest level. There’s photos of me as a newborn sleeping in the Stanley Cup.
I’ll be up close and personal with the Cup again. Soon. My team lost in the first round of the playoffs this year, but next season, that’s going to be our year.
When I get to the hotel, I head straight to the suites my dad reserved. Luke and I will be sharing a room while Mike and Joe have another. This isn’t a fun, relaxing trip, and there’s definitely no time to go cruising for a hookup; this week is for work.
While I’m in town, I have a meeting with my agent plus a few interviews to do. The NHL loves our family. After all, we’re basically a dynasty. And with Mike joining the ranks…
Luke gives me a one-armed hug and Joe gives me a nod from across the room. Dad is on his phone, barking away. Through it all, Mike is sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat, his eyes closed as he meditates. He’s always been good about blocking things out. Including us.
