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  “Hey, I finished high school with the highest marks on my team,” Rocket protested, “and I have two university credits.”

  “At that rate, you’ll graduate when you’re eighty,” Maddy said.

  A waiter stopped at their table. “Have you decided?” she said.

  “Could you give us another minute, please?” Risa said.

  The waiter looked around the restaurant. “It’s kind of busy …”

  “Sorry, but we just sat down,” Risa said.

  “We fill up quickly around lunchtime …”

  “A coffee,” Risa snapped.

  “How do you want it?” the waiter said.

  “In a cup.”

  The waiter went to another table.

  Risa shook her head. “These snobby places are all the same. The waiters treat you like garbage if they don’t think you’re rich.”

  Maddy shook her head. Then she looked at Rocket. “So, what’s up?”

  That was Maddy for you — right to the point.

  “Well, I got in late last night,” Rocket said, “and I didn’t want to wake you guys up. I went for a workout this morning, a bit early—”

  “And you left a message to meet you here,” Maddy interrupted. “So, what’s up?”

  “Yeah, okay. Get on with it, right?” He paused. “I got sent down to the AHL, to a team called the Pinewood Racers.”

  His mother’s face fell. “Oh, Bryan, I’m so sorry. I know you were hoping for better news.”

  “I should be saying sorry to you,” he said. “The money isn’t bad. I’ve been offered a contract for around sixty grand a year. But … minimum contract in the NHL is over a half-million.”

  “Sixty thousand’s still pretty good,” Maddy said.

  “But it’s not NHL money,” Rocket said.

  “Where will you live?” his mother asked.

  “I have to find a place. I’ll have to pay for that, and for my own food.”

  “You’ll be making a lot more money than you did in junior,” Maddy jumped in. “You should be fine.”

  “But what about you guys? You’ll be stuck in that crappy apartment. And how are you going to pay for med school, Maddy? I can help out, way more than I have been, but making the team would’ve solved everything.” He slapped the table and shook his head. “I was so close. I could’ve paid your tuition and bought us a house.”

  His shoulders sagged, and he sat back in his seat, feeling overwhelmed. They all worked so hard, but there was never enough money. He’d really hoped to change that.

  “The coaches are on me about my defensive-zone coverage,” he said. “In the last scrimmage, I made a bad decision and went to the half-boards instead of …” He stopped, realizing it didn’t matter. “Well, anyway, I’ll be on a two-way contract in the AHL, so I still have a chance at making it. But that probably won’t happen this year. If ever. I’m sorry, Mom.”

  “Honey, we’ll be okay,” she said, patting his hand.

  “And you’re not paying for my university,” Maddy said. “I am.”

  “How are you going to do that?” Rocket said.

  “My scholarship, plus grants and loans. I managed to save a fair bit from my job this summer, too.”

  “It’s not enough,” Rocket said. “We’re a family, Maddy, and we help each other out. I know you’re not technically my sister, but … you are, so get over it.”

  The waiter appeared. “Here’s your coffee.” She plunked it on the table. A bit spilled onto the saucer.

  “Charming,” said Risa.

  “And here’s your bill. There are people waiting for a table,” she said before walking away.

  Maddy glared after her, then turned back to Rocket. “Listen, you don’t need to worry about me. The NHL is your dream, Bryan. You’ve worked your whole life for this, and you’re going to make it. And not because we need the money but because you deserve to. You’ll figure out the defensive-whatever, and you’ll show them you’re the real deal.”

  “That’s right,” said Risa. “You focus on what you need to do. We’ve always gotten by, and we always will.”

  “I’m still going to send you as much as I can,” he said.

  The waiter returned. “Are you going to pay for your coffee at some point?”

  Risa reached into her purse, ripped open her wallet and slammed a five-dollar bill on the table. “I’ll have my change, please.”

  The waiter rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the tip,” she said as she walked to the cash register.

  Rocket couldn’t take it. He jumped up and marched over.

  “Excuse me,” he said.

  The waiter arched her eyebrows.

  “I want you to treat my mother with respect next time,” he thundered.

  “Why? Is she coming back to order another coffee, take up space and then leave a ten-cent tip?”

  “Do your job.”

  “You’re just three nobodies who came in to stargaze,” she huffed. “Your type bugs me. You want to be treated like you’re famous, but you can’t even afford to order something. A coffee? What a joke.”

  “I’ll take the change,” he growled.

  She gave him the money. “Are you leaving?”

  “We’ll leave when we want.” He stormed back. “Let’s go.”

  “We haven’t had a chance to talk to you,” his mom said.

  “That waiter is unbelievable. I hate it here. Everyone thinks they’re so amazing because they have money. We’ll come back when I’m in the NHL, and she’ll be kissing my butt. You’ll see. And I’ll ask for the manager and get her fired.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Risa said gently. “She’s a rude person. No big deal. Let’s go, then.”

  They had to walk by the waiter to get out. She smirked at Rocket, but he was too miserable to respond.

  He’d let his mom and Maddy down.

  His mom had made so many sacrifices for his hockey, spent so much money. She’d told him that as long as he wanted to play, she would make it happen — and she had.

  Now it was time for him to make something happen.

  CHAPTER 4

  Somehow he’d walked right past the place. He was still fuming about that snooty waiter, and he hadn’t been paying attention to where he was going. He doubled back and pushed on the door. It flew open and the handle hit the wall with a bang.

  A waiter’s head whirled toward the door. “You can just come in,” he laughed.

  “Sorry, just looking for some friends.” Rocket scanned the restaurant.

  “Yo, Rocket,” André called out, waving his hand over his head. They’d found a table in the back corner.

  Rocket went over. “Hey, guys, long time no see. How’s school going?”

  “It’s barely started, and I’m already dreading my mechatronics class,” Bird said.

  “Mechatronics is an engineering course that combines several types of technology—” Megan began to explain to Rocket.

  “Thanks, Ms. Education,” he interrupted. It was hard to admit, even to himself, but Rocket felt dumb when he was with his non-hockey friends. Especially now that they were all in university.

  Megan flushed deeply.

  Rocket felt bad right away. He decided to change the topic.

  “What else are you up to?” he asked Bird and Nigel.

  Bird laughed and threw his hands in the air. “It’s total mayhem. Nigel and I rented a place for this year, but it never occurred to us that it had no furniture. Are floors hard to sleep on?”

  “I told you to start looking for stuff two months ago,” Megan said.

  “We kind of didn’t take your good advice,” Nigel said.

  “Why do I bother?” she said.

  “That’s a solid question,” Bird said with a grin.

  Rocket had met Bird, Nigel and Megan when he was grade seven. Bird had always been chill and goofy. Nigel was usually very serious. And Megan was … Megan — in charge, smart and organized. He hadn’t seen her much lately because of hockey. She
was more like a woman than a girl now. She still wasn’t into clothes or makeup, but she looked, well, more mature.

  He’d met André in grade seven, too, when they’d played together for the Bowmont Blues. André had filled out even more over the years. He was probably two hundred pounds and well over six feet tall. Rocket felt a twinge of envy. That was NHL size. Of course, André had stopped playing hockey years ago.

  “Forget about our boring lives,” André said. “What’s up with the Rocket? Your text said you’re off to play for Pinewood.”

  Rocket told them what happened. “Now I have to become a different player — and fast,” he finished.

  “No problem,” Bird said. “There’s got to be a lifehack on that.”

  “I bet they tell rookies that all the time,” André said. “Don’t worry. They pay big bucks for guys who put the puck in the net.”

  “I thought I was so close, though,” Rocket moaned. “I could literally taste that first contract.”

  “That’s the problem,” Megan said. “Guys get blinded by the money, and they forget their chances of making the NHL are tiny. I’m not being negative, Bryan, but this is why you should be taking those online courses. You can earn more university credits, and—”

  “I can’t,” Rocket cut in. “The AHL is a pro league, with road trips and training. I have to focus on hockey.”

  “As opposed to before when you barely paid attention to it?” Megan said. “Hockey’s all you ever do.”

  “Eat, sleep, play hockey — repeat.” He grinned as André gave him a high-five.

  “You can love the game,” Megan said, “without risking your whole future. Think of all the guys who spent years trying to make it and had nothing to show for it when they didn’t. You could be thirty years old, with no education and no job. And if you’re seriously injured, then what?”

  “Ya, keep your head up, bro,” André said.

  “And two hands on the stick,” Nigel said.

  “It ain’t over till it’s over,” Bird added.

  “That’s more of a baseball saying, but it works,” Rocket said.

  “How about, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings?” Bird asked.

  “Never understood that one, but it’s inspiring,” Rocket said.

  Megan rolled her eyes. “Very funny, gentlemen. But I’m serious, Bryan. I’m proud of you for finishing high school—”

  “What choice did I have? You and Maddy would’ve killed me if I hadn’t.”

  “Fair enough,” Megan said. “I’m just saying, don’t stop there. Get more university credits, get a degree, even if it takes a few extra years. Then, if hockey doesn’t work out, you have a plan B.”

  “Is this your idea of a pep talk?” Rocket said.

  “It’s my idea of common sense.”

  Her eyes were fixed and hard, no trace of humour. None of the guys he’d played with put much effort into school. Most had done just enough to finish high school.

  “Bird, Nigel, you’re both in engineering, right?” Rocket said.

  They nodded.

  “You have four years of school to get your degree, and then you get a job.”

  “I might spend another year or two to get my master’s and then look for a job, but that’s about right,” Nigel said.

  “Okay, so however many years it is, how much is it costing you?” Rocket said.

  “Don’t ask,” Bird said. “Tens of thousands.”

  “And what kind of money can you make?”

  “I’m not sure,” Nigel said. “First job might start at about fifty thousand.”

  Rocket looked triumphantly at Megan. “In one year in the NHL, I’ll make more than they get in ten.”

  “That’s if you make it,” she said.

  “You don’t think I will?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Because I’m too small?”

  “Bryan, I—”

  “My family needs this. I need this. I’m close. I know it,” Rocket said. “Now’s the time to work five times harder. I’ll outwork the whole league, and when I get my next shot I won’t blow it.”

  A few people at nearby tables looked over. He’d said that too loudly.

  “Anyway, I should get going,” Rocket said, standing up. “I’m leaving for Pinewood tomorrow morning. I’m lucky — I’m getting a lift with another guy on the team. I’ve barely seen my mom and Maddy, so … I’ll have to catch up with you guys another time.”

  “Bryan, I didn’t mean to … You just got here,” Megan said.

  “It’s not that. Forget it. You guys have a great term at school, and we’ll see each other …” He had no clue when he’d see them all again. They led such different lives.

  “We can walk with you to the subway,” Megan said.

  “I know where it is,” Rocket said.

  Her face fell.

  “I’m kidding. I … I got to run to a store or two and then get back to my mom’s place. You guys may as well stay here.”

  An uncomfortable silence followed.

  “I’ll get out for a game once I figure out my schedule,” André said.

  “Awesome. Let me know when, and I’ll score some tickets,” Rocket said.

  “Cool.” André nodded.

  “Take care, guys. Go engineering!” Rocket fist-bumped Nigel and Bird. “See ya, Megan.”

  She looked up. Her eyes were red. “Good luck,” she said quietly.

  “Thanks.” Rocket looked around at his friends again. “Bye, guys.”

  He felt bad about Megan, but she just didn’t get it. There was no plan B. It was the NHL or … He couldn’t finish the thought. If he didn’t make the NHL, then what else could he do? A feeling of dread spread in the pit of his stomach.

  He was afraid. What would happen if Landry never trusted his defence? He could spend years in Pinewood, waiting for a call-up that never came. His speed and puck skills had always been the great equalizers, the reasons he’d beaten the odds despite being the smallest guy on the ice.

  But speed and skill might not be enough this time.

  CHAPTER 5

  Rocket craned his neck. Still no car in sight. If this Rory Colbert guy blew him off, Rocket was in trouble. Only two buses went to Pinewood a day, one early in the morning and the other late at night. The first had already gone. The second wouldn’t get there until after midnight, and he didn’t have a place to stay.

  “I really wish you had the name of a hotel,” Risa said.

  She’d been obsessing over where he’d stay since he got home yesterday.

  “It’s all organized,” he said.

  Very not true, but he didn’t want his mom to worry. He was worried enough about just getting there. The Racers had a practice tomorrow morning at ten, and the general manager’s email had made it clear they expected him to be on time.

  Two vehicles approached. The first was a van, white and shiny and very new. The second was a small red old-model Toyota with a banged-up bumper. The van drove by. The Toyota pulled over. The window rolled down.

  “Is there a Bryan Rockwood here?”

  “That would be me.”

  Rory got out. He was a big guy, solid and thick, a touch under six feet. They shook hands. Rocket introduced his mom and Maddy, and Rory shook their hands, too.

  “Thank you so much for giving Bryan a lift,” Risa said.

  “Not a problem. Lucky we’re both going today. This came out of the blue for me. I’ve been working out all summer, and my agent’s been calling and calling teams. Then Pinewood suddenly invited me out. I guess they’ve had a couple of injuries.” Rory shrugged. “Part of the game, I guess. One guy’s bad luck is another guy’s opportunity.”

  “Have you played for this team before?” Risa asked.

  Rory made a sour face. “Last team I played for was in the NHL, for three seasons. Then I blew my right knee out. That was two years ago. This is a bit of a comeback for me, I guess.”

  “Rory Colbert! I’m so dumb,” Rocket sai
d. “You played for the Rangers, right wing. I remember hearing you were out. How’d it happen?”

  “It was kind of a nothing play. I came in on the forecheck, defenceman rang it around the wall, and I followed through on the hit.” Rory shook his head. “Maybe I hit a rut or something, but I felt a burning in my knee. Next thing I know, I’m being carted off the ice.”

  “Brutal,” Rocket said.

  “Yep.” Rory nodded. “Anyway, I guess we should get going.”

  Risa teared up.

  “Pinewood’s only a couple hours away,” Rocket said softly. He gave her a hug.

  “Me, too,” Maddy said. They hugged.

  “Life of a hockey player,” Rory said. “Always on the move. My wife hates it.”

  “It must be hard on her,” Risa said.

  “She’s tough.”

  “Where’d you meet?” Maddy asked.

  “Maddy, we have to go!” Rocket said.

  Rory laughed. “It’s okay. Melissa and I actually started going out in grade nine. Crazy, eh? We have a little girl now, Angela. She’s eleven months.”

  “Oh my gosh, still a baby,” Risa said. “Melissa will have her hands full. They’re not coming to Pinewood?”

  “We’ll see. Her parents are here in town, and so are her friends. She’d be alone in Pinewood, and with road trips and stuff, we figured she should stay here until things are more settled.”

  “Any pictures of Angela?” asked Maddy.

  Rory pulled out his phone.

  “So cute,” Maddy gushed.

  “She’s adorable,” Risa said. “I assume that’s mommy.” She pointed at the woman in the photo.

  “That’s my Melissa.”

  Rocket snuck a look. Angela was pretty cute. In the picture, she sat happily perched on Melissa’s knees.

  He turned to Rory, “Should I put my stuff in the trunk?”

  “It’s packed with my stuff,” Rory said. “Toss it in the back seat.”

  Rocket picked up his hockey bag and sticks and grabbed his suitcase with his other hand.

  “This is really nice of you, Rory,” Risa said. “And it’s great that Bryan will know someone on the team before he starts.”

  Rocket opened the car door and put his stuff in.