“Jamie, we could use my truck. The windows are tinted in the back.”
“No. It’s, uh, fine. You’ll probably need to deal with…that.” He gestures toward my phone, which hasn’t stopped buzzing with notifications.
“No, it’s no trouble. Oh. Shit. That’s my dad.”
Looking through my texts earlier, I had seen a few from him. I had thought I could avoid it, for at least a little longer.
“Ethan. We havetalkedabout this.” The words are Alexei’s, but they could just as easily have come from Jamie. Yes, we’ve talked about this. About how I don’thaveto pick up this call, or reread those texts.
How I could even justblockhim.
But they didn’t grow up in his house. They don’t know the bone-deep certainty that peace now will mean paying later.
“You’ll take care of Jamie? I gotta take this.”
Alexei’s gray eyes stare unsettling into mine, a question on his face.
“Yes, Ethan. I’ll take care of Jamie.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
JAMIE
As though thingsweren’t bad enough, I wake up the next morning to find they’ve gotten worse. Among the notifications greeting me on my phone after a scant few hours of sleep lies one from ESPN.
All Star Surprises: Tremblay, Smith, Bellaire in; Carter and Kovak out
I heave a deep sigh and navigate to the Southwest Airlines app. I guess it’s time to buy my ticket for California.
Iknewthis would happen. Knew that the league wouldn’t want to call attention to me, not any more than the news around my draft and my successful season already have. Hell, I’m shocked they’re taking Ethan after yesterday’s article. They must have been reassured by his agent’s press release…or else it was too late.
I had really tried not to get my hopes up. But when Alexei and Ethan and Matthews and Lindy had all told me not to plan on being available, I…might have. Just a little.
It seems to be the theme of my life this month.
I notice a few texts from Avery and wonder if he’s even been to bed yet.
Avery Lawson 6:23 AM
Saw the news. That sucks.
Am I a bad friend if I say I’m glad I’ll get to see you?
Jamie Carter 6:25 AM
Nah
I’m glad I’ll get to see you, too
We knew it was a long shot
Also, shit with the married guy went bad
Avery Lawson 6:28 AM
He was married!
Jamie Carter 6:30 AM
