I swallow hard. I haven’t thought about being drafted since I started this with Lyla. I could be drafted anywhere. I know she won’t leave her dad, and I would never ask her to. He needs to be her priority. The question is, would she be willing to do long distance? I don’t want to let her go. I know hockey is important, but is it more important than her?
I don’t think it is.
“It doesn’t matter where I’m drafted. The media will always be the part of it I hate,” I tell him, avoiding his question.
I would never ask him to put in a good word for me. It’s a burden I hate from others, so why would I put it on my friends?
I have to admit that it would be a good solution, though. I wouldn’t be too far from Lyla.
“Are you even listening?” Clay jokes, kicking my foot.
“No. You all bore me,” I deadpan.
“You love us,” Kellan snorts. “Don’t mind him. He’s fallen in love. His head is all about Lyla these days.”
Beckett smiles wider. “How is it with the new girlfriend? Peyton seems to be fond of her. Hell, all of the girls do. They ditched us tonight to hang out with her.”
“I’m glad she has them. She needs a good support system.”
All of the guys frown, but it’s Clay who speaks. “Why? Is there something wrong with her?”
“It’s not really my place to tell,” I admit.
“No. Fuck that. I get respecting her privacy, but if there’s something wrong with her, then we need to know so we can help.” Kellan sits forward, looking anxious now.
I sigh, rubbing my hand down my face. “Her dad has dementia and some other health issues. She can’t leave him at home alone, which is why they ditched you for her.”
Kellan lets out a soft curse while Beckett nods.
“Peyton said she had a good reason not to be at your games. I trust my wifey. How is she doing with it?” Beckett asks.
“It’s rough on her, but she is strong. Resilient,” I admit.
Clay nods. “They always are. You let us know if there is anything at all that we can do.”
“We will do it without hesitation,” Beckett adds.
“Anytime.” Kellan puts his own promise in there.
This is why they are my family. They barely know Lyla, but every single one of them is willing to lay it all on the line for her.
“Thanks, guys. What about your game? I haven’t even looked up how you did.” I turn the attention off myself.
The guys start to debrief about their game, but my mind is on Lyla.
She is strong, like I said, but it’s more than that. She has a vulnerability inside of her that makes me scared for her. She might be able to push her feelings aside, but what will happen when they all boil over?
twenty-three
“Hey, shouldn’t you be in class?” Will asks as he steps into the kitchen.
I shake my head as I put away the last of the groceries I went and picked up.
“No, my professor canceled my last class, so I thought I would go run some errands.”
“Thanks, we were running low on milk,” he says as he leans against the wall.
My eyes narrow. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
