“Yep.”
I feel myself drifting when he takes a deep breath.
Oh no.
I know what that means. I don’t want to ruin a perfect night with heavy talk, but that’s the side effect of alcohol. Real talk.
"I need to tell you something,” he says.
Be cool.
Don’t panic.
He took the Seattle deal. I knew it was coming. I expected this.
Denial is over.
“What is it?”
"There's another team," he says.
I go still.
"Boston. They have the number two pick. I put out the word that I might be interested. I have to go around my dad. For now. Last night was all about impressing them. I want to play hockey, but I only want to play on this side of the country.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m hoping to hear something from them. Nothing is official until the draft, but if they're interested, my dad can start working the relationship."
“Declan, that’s amazing, but what if they don’t call?”
“Then I’ll deal with it, but I’m pretty sure I can get something. Maybe even in the AHL. I want to be here. And I want to play. I’m not going to accept anything less than what I want.”
“Well, look at you manifesting.”
“Yep.”
“What do you think your dad will say?”
He lets out a long exhale. “Honestly, I think he would just be happy to have me in the league. He’s pushing for Seattle because they reached out. And yeah, it’s a better team, but that’s not what I’m about.”
“He’s going to say you’re choosing East Coast because of me.”
“So?”
"Your dad has always made me feel like I was a problem to be managed," I say. "And I know that's about him. I know his opinions about who you should be with are not your opinions.But he's loud, Declan. He's been loud throughout our entire relationship. And every time things get hard between us, his voice is going to be right there."
Declan is quiet for a moment.
"My dad doesn't get a vote," he says.
"I know that's what you believe, but he’s an important part of your life."
"My dad has never been in a relationship that worked. He pushed my mother out of our lives and then spent twenty years being angry about it and taking it out on every decision I made. He's not someone whose judgment I trust on anything that matters." He pulls me against his body. "He definitely doesn't get a vote on you."
I breathe out.
"You are not a liability," he says. "You have never been a liability. If anything, you're the only thing in my life that has consistently made me want to be better at the rest of it. That's not a complication. I played my ass off last night because I wanted to be here. I did that for you. I want to play hard so I can stay here. That’s a pretty big incentive. Not money—you.”
