“Pshh. Yeah. She’s such a brat,” he answered.
Mr. Callahan smiled. “So the rivalry lives on. I’m shocked they allowed the two of you to be in the same class again.”
I was surprised to find out Craig had a daughter who was Duke’s age. I had no idea. It made sense now though- why he was so protective over the girls at the rink. He was one of the people who always said the figure skaters were off-limits to us hockey guys.
“Yeah. No kidding. That girl’s crazy.” Duke shook his head in disbelief. “Shepunchesmein the face, and I just stand there andI’mthe one who gets in trouble?”
Mr. Callahan just chuckled to himself. “You took it like a man though, Son.”
Pretty sure my jaw was hanging open over their father-son interaction because Sav was looking at me strangely.
But she didn’t understand.
I was shocked.
Floored, really. His dad just gave him a pass out of talking about his game? His dad cared more about his math test than the game? His dad cared about his math test? What the fuck? That kind of parenting mindset actually existed? I mean… I was sure that people who didn’t play hockey or other sports were like that… but a parent whose kid played hockeyandhe was like that? What the hell?
And he was proud that his son took a punch and didn’t fight back? I’m one hundred percent sure that was the right action for him to take, especially considering the fact that the puncher was a girl… but my father probably would’ve decked me for letting anyone punch me. He’d probably make fun of me for being “soft.” Asshole.
I continued to study their interactions as they watched the game together and was captured by how Mr. Callahan respected Duke’s opinions and expertise on the game. He asked Duke questions and actually fully listened to his answers. He made Duke feel smart.
Eventually, Mr. Callahan’s attention landed on the two of us intruders.
“So, what do you guys do for school?” He fixed his serious eyes on us.
“We’re finishing up high school online,” I answered. Nick’s eyes were glued to Boston now that they pulled their goalie.
“Any plans with school after that?”
“Uh… I’m not too sure yet, I haven’t really thought-”
“Dad, they’re on the junior team at the Ice League.” Duke said it like his dad should just understand what that meant and drop the school talk. I was thankful for his interruption, but his dad stared blankly back at him, not getting it.
“They’re ranked number two in the whole country. They’re just under the National Development Team in Michigan. You know how hard it is to make their team? They don’t need school. They’re gonna be hockey players,” he said firmly.
Their dad raised his eyebrows then, impressed. “Well, that’s not bad then. You can always work your way through some kind of school slowly while you play hockey though. You guys let me know if you need any help with application stuff. I’m old, but I’m not too dumb,” he smirked.
I was floored for the second time.
It seemed he really cared about school…Morethan hockey, weirdly enough. I was not used to that. And it got me thinking that maybe I should step up my school game.
“I uh… I might take you up on that offer,” I saidquickly.
“Good man,” Mr. Callahannodded.
Nick shot me a look then- as if to ask ‘why?’
“They really don’t need school, Dad,” Duke said matter-of-factly. “They’ll be in the NHL in no time. They’re great players.”
Nick pointed to Duke and looked at me, like ‘told yaso.’
“Ehh, are they though?” Mr. Callahan asked skeptically. “They’re probably not as good at skating as Savannah Grace here.” He nodded proudly at his daughter.
“Nah,” Duke chuckled. “No one could beather.”
Sav’s face turned red at their compliments, and she bit back a smile.
Savannah Grace. Savannah Grace. Savannah Grace.I played her name back in my head about a hundred times. I’d never get tired of hearing it. The name suited her. It was beautiful, just like her.
