Page 112 of These Pucking Boys

JAKE

This was a short trip; we had only two away games—one in Chicago yesterday, and one in Detroit tonight. We won both, and Lachy had a shutout in Detroit. But despite our achievements, I feel wretched on the flight back to LA, and not because it’s late. The mood on the plane is celebratory. The guys are all laughing and horsing around, but I’m too anxious to join them. I can’t wait to get home and see June.

But I haven’t forgotten the conversation I had with my father prior to this trip. If the price to keep playing hockey is signing with the Bobcats, I’d rather retire. Still, I can’t put Lachy’s and Ryan’s careers at risk too. Bluff or not, my father will find a way to ruin their lives as punishment for me not obeying him.

You’d think that a grown man wouldn’t be bound by his parents, but when you have a rich, narcissistic son of a bitch for a father, the chains are thick.

Lachy takes the empty seat next to mine, stretching his legs and crowding me. “What’s on yer mind, lad? You’ve been brooding more than usual.” His accent is thick thanks to all the beers he’s had.

I shake my head. “It’s nothing.”

“Horse shite. Are you still thinking about yer father?”

At first, I clench my jaw and stare out the window. But I can’t escape Lachy’s intense stare, burning a hole through my face. “I don’t want to drag you into my family drama.”

He snorts. “Yer not dragging me into anything. Yer my brother, Jake. You and the other pest.”

I chuckle. “That’s right. You are my brothers. That’s why I put up with you two.”

“That’s bloody right. When I was a kid, I always dreamed I’d get adopted by a family with lots of kids. I didn’t care if they were boys or girls. I just wanted many siblings. I never got my wish then, but I got it now.”

Lachy’s voice is filled with emotion. When I glance at him, he seems far away. He’s never tried to hide that he grew up in the foster system. The fraying blankie he still holds on to is the only thing he has left from his parents. My heart becomes small and heavy. I’d do everything for him and Ryan.

He turns to me, his blue eyes more intense than usual. “Go on then. Tell me what that arsehole wanted with you.”

I release a heavy sigh, knowing it’s pointless to keep anything from him. “He wants me to play for the Bobcats.”

Lachy snorts. “Is he delusional?”

“No, just an arrogant son of bitch who thinks he owns the world. I told him not a chance in hell.”

“He’s the royal admiral of arseholery,” Lachy mutters.

“He’s threatening to leak what he did for me to the press.”

Knowing exactly what I’m talking about, Lachy furrows his brows. “I thought those records were sealed.”

“They are, but that doesn’t stop him from using them to blackmail me.”

“You did nothing wrong. That piece of shite deserved what he got.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s all about perception, and with my current reputation of being a hothead, you know the media will eviscerate me. I might get fired.”

“I won’t let that happen. I’ll walk if they let you go.”

The barbed wire around my heart tightens. That’s exactly what I can’t allow to happen.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but you know I can’t let you do that.”

“Yes, cause you’re a bloody martyr.” He cracks a smile. “Then we change the narrative before yer father has the chance to fuck things up.”

“What do you mean?”

“You clean up your image.”

I laugh without humor. “I don’t know how I’ll erase a reputation I cultivated for years in just a few weeks.”

“We’ll think of something. Don’t worry. I got your back.”

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