“We heard some boos during the break,” I say, exhaling. “I thought it was because they showed someone from the Hawks on the Jumbotron. Not Gwen.”
“I think she’s alright. I just needed you to know,” Lisa explains.
“Yeah, of course. I appreciate it,” I reply with a small smile before we both head back into the living room.
My parents are seated together on the couch, somewhat apart from everyone else. Near the kitchen, Blake, Leo, Tess, and Gwen are gathered, talking and laughing casually. Music plays through the speakers, Falling in Reverse. Something tells me Blake had a hand in that.
“Did you enjoy your first official hockey game?” I ask Gwen, trying to gauge how she’s really feeling.
“It was fun,” she replies with a smile, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. It feels restrained like she’s holding something back.
“You look amazing in orange,” I say softly, leaning in to kiss the top of her head.
“These two,” Leo says, pointing between Tess and Gwen, “need a crash course in ice hockey. I think one of them called the Buffaloes’ color cute, and I even heard someone say ‘touchdown.’”
That earns a laugh from me.
“I volunteer,” I add, pulling Gwen a little closer to my side.
“Zane, can I talk to you?” my dad’s voice cuts in as he suddenly appears beside me.
“Sure,” I reply, running a nervous hand through my hair.
Blake cracks open a beer, and I reach over and take it from him before he can even take a sip. Tess laughs at the move.
I follow my dad into the hallway and then into my bedroom. The moment he closes the door behind us, I already know this conversation isn’t going to be light.
“Is something wrong, dad?” I ask, leaving the door slightly ajar. It feels better to have some air and to still hear faint sounds from the living room.
“We need to talk about your career,” he begins.
“What about it?” I ask, though a sense of unease starts to settle in.
“You’re making some poor decisions,” he says firmly. “I didn’t come down here just for the game, though your mother seems to think we did.” He pauses. “I’ve seen the articles online. And today, at the game, it became even clearer.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, tension building in my chest with every second.
“You’re throwing it all away,” he continues. “Everything you’ve worked for, you’re putting it at risk. And for what? For some… girl?”
His tone hits something deeper than I expect. It takes me back to being younger, to moments where approval felt conditional, tied to performance, tied to being “enough.”
“I’m not throwing anything away,” I say, my voice steady but firm. “And you don’t even know her. She’s the sweetest, funniest, nicest person I’ve met,” I add, defending Gwen without hesitation.
“That doesn’t matter,” he cuts in, his voice sharp. “The public has already formed its opinion. If you continue down this path, you’ll lose everything.”
In the hallway, I hear faint movement, but I don’t turn around. I don’t break eye contact with my dad.
“I am in love with her. She’s an amazing woman. Don’t speak about her like that in my house,” I say, my voice tight with anger.
“Don’t be so stupid,” Dad snaps, clearly annoyed. “What do you think people will say when they see you with her?” he continues, but I cut him off before he can go any further.
“I want you to leave.”
“You’re not thinking straight,” he insists.
“Please leave,” I repeat, more firmly this time.
He exhales sharply, then finally gives in. Without another word, he brushes past me and heads back into the hallway.
