Once back in the hotel room, Luc fell face first onto his bed. His body ached, and he was exhausted. Morning skate was rough. The beers he’d had yesterday with Sam and his dad didn’t help his mood this early Saturday morning. Coach ignored the tension between Luc and Kaden, but it was there. Kaden was his lovable, joking self with everyone except Luc.
Tyler tried to lighten the mood by interacting with both of them, but Kaden wasn’t having it. He’d stop Luc’s shots without a single comment, while he razzed the other guys about not being able to get a puck past him, or their hitting it off the cross bar and how everyone in the arena could hear the ring.
Luc tried to be sociable. Putting on his game face, he laughed at the comments Kaden threw out at the other guys. But Kaden acted as if he didn’t exist. This wasn’t high school, and Kaden’s actions were really starting to piss Luc off.
“How’d practice go this morning?” his dad asked.
“Why can’t he just let it go?” Luc groaned into the comforter.
“I assume we’re talking about Kaden.” His dad sat a bottle of water on the side table, and sitting down on his own bed, he continued. “Here, keep hydrated. You know, you two are going to have to work this out sooner or later.”
“I know! He’s going to have to get over it.”
“That’s not the same as working it out.”
“Dad, I think seeing us fight in practice the other day is causing the issue with Kassie. I didn’t think so at first, because she puts up this front that her big brother can’t tell her what to do, and that his tantrums don’t bother her, but then she walked out on me, and I haven’t heard from her since. I think it bothers her more than she’d like to believe. Or maybe I’m missing something.” Luc scratched his head and tried to replay what he could’ve done to upset her. But he had nothing.
“Son, you need to decide what you want from this girl. And make sure she’s also clear on your intentions. After that, you need to sit down with Kaden and lay it all out on the table. If you want to pursue this relationship with Kassie, you have to be the bigger man and iron things out with Kaden. If you don’t, she’ll always feel torn. And that’s no way for her to live. That’s not fair to her.”
His dad was right.
“Honestly, we haven’t talked about where this relationship is going. We started out just having fun. She joked about not being interested, and I just played along. The code was the annoying white elephant in the room, and neither of us wanted to mess with it. I’m not sure who fell first, but somewhere along the line we got serious. It was quickly to the point where, when I wasn’t with her, I wanted to be, and I was always thinking about her. I care about her; she’s not like the nameless girls I used to pass the time with. She’s different. She’s special. I don’t want to see her hurting. And if us being together causes so much of an issue with her brother that it hurts Kassie, then… then I’ll back off.”
“But you don’t want to back off. Do you?”
“No. Hell, no! But I will if that’s what’s best for her. I just want her to be happy. I want to see that smile on her face, and see her enjoy life. She can’t do that if she’s always looking over her shoulder or refereeing me and her brother. Sure, we have a great time when we’re together, but somehow Kaden always wiggles his way in. Then things get weird.”
“You need to tell her all this, not me.”
“I know.” Picking up his phone, Luc decided it was now or never. But he didn’t want to do it over the phone. He’d have to get her to agree to see him. If she even responded to his message this time.
Luc: Hey Kass. Miss you. I’d like to take you to dinner tomorrow. I think we should talk.
He didn’t get an immediate response, and his heart rate elevated as he waited. But finally, after what felt like it was eternity but in reality, was only less than two minutes, she responded.
Kassie: Wow. That sounded ominous.
Luc: No, not like that. It’s not bad, I promise.
Kassie: Okay. And I’ve missed you too. Sorry I didn’t reply earlier. Things were crazy. And yeah, I’d like to talk. But tomorrow is bad. My mom is having this big dinner thing. She’d like you and your dad to be there.
Luc: Oh?
Kassie: So? Will you be my date? She won’t take no for an answer, so you’ve been warned.
Luc: Then I graciously accept. But I would prefer to talk before we go over there. I assume it’s the whole family?
Kassie: Yes, Kaden and Ali will be there.
Luc: Meet me for breakfast?
Kassie: Sure. Is ten okay?
Luc: Yes. How’s the diner by Ali’s pet salon?
Kassie: Yeah. The one by the cupcake place?
Luc: Yeah, that too. A cupcake for breakfast dessert is never out of the question.
Kassie: Luc, I’m sorry I ran out the other morning.
Luc: Princess, please don’t worry yourself over it, okay? It’s a non-issue. We can talk tomorrow.
Luc: See you at ten?
Kassie: Luc, I miss you.
Luc: Sweets, I miss you too. More than you know.
He wasn’t thrilled about having dinner with Kaden, but at least there’d be a bunch of other people there. And Ali alone should be able to keep Kaden in line, not to mention his mother. Meeting Kassie’s mother. We really are a couple. She’s met my dad, and I’m meeting her mom. Maybe I don’t have anything to worry about after all.
“Dad, apparently Mrs. O’Conner is having dinner tomorrow night. We’re both invited, and Mrs. O’Conner really would like us to be there. So, I guess you can say our attendance is requested.”
“It’s your girlfriend’s mom, son. Attendance is required.” His dad shrugged.
“Dad, please.” There’re those damn labels again. Shouldn’t this be easier?
“It sounds fun. Are you going to talk to her before dinner? Straighten things out?” His dad asked it as a question, but it was more of a suggestion.
“Absolutely. We’re meeting for breakfast.” Luc felt good about breakfast, but the approaching game had him rattled.
Detroit had a tough team. They were bigger than the Renegades, and their goon hadn’t finished a game in the last month. He’d been tossed every time for fighting or unsportsmanlike conduct. Tad Tomko was his name, hurting stars and getting his team pumped and their heads in the game was his only job. And he was dirty good at it.
As soon as the puck dropped in the very first face-off of the game, Tomko went after Sam. Luc voiced his opinion about it being a cheap move going after a guy just recently back from an injury. Tomko was assessed a penalty for his action. From the penalty box, Tomko made a motion with his fingers that he had eyes on Luc.
Sam wasn’t injured, and he hopped back on the bench. “Bro, don’t worry about that jackass. He isn’t worth it.”