Page 2 of One More Time

“Mum, I can’t do that—”

“You’re young, Tyler. This has been your dream since you could pick up a stick. I don’t want you living with the ‘what ifs.’ Yes, life dealt us the ultimate trump card, but we can make this work. I am not dead yet.”

Tears began to sting my eyes. “That isn’t funny, Mum.”

As I reminisced over the last two years, my mind wandered to my little brother. Not only was mum grieving the loss of my dad, but she also had a schedule packed with doctor’s appointments. I had to step up. I was a chef and a housekeeper among making sure Jamie made it to school and his MMA training. Mum was usually too wiped out from the treatment to do much of anything.

The idea of leaving them both felt like lugging around a ton of bricks. I tried to shield Jamie from as much as I could. From tucking Mum into bed when she was too drained to get up, to sitting with her during chemo. Keeping Jamie blissfully unaware of the harsh realities of life fell squarely on my shoulders.

“Tyler, talk to me.” Mum’s voice pulled me from my thoughts once more. I turned and pulled her into my arms.

“It’s irresponsible. What if Jamie needs me? What if you need help?”

I yelped when she sharply pinched the skin on my side.

“You deserved that, call it a reality pinch. You’ve grown up way quicker than I’d have liked but you’ve become a young man I’m proud to call my son. On top of stepping up around the house, you still get good grades and have performed at an Olympic level. You can’t put this opportunity on hold—they won’t wait for you. I have family around; if I need help, I will ask.”

I sighed, letting my head fall to her shoulder. Though I stood at least six inches taller than her, she never refused to hold me when I needed it

“If I didn’t have cancer, would you have been on a plane before you reached the end of the letter?”

My heart tugged at the thought. Wrapping up high school while juggling things at home had been tough. What would the team setup be like? Guys from other countries would talk about constant rotations, but Perth didn’t offer that luxury.

With just two ice rinks—one up north and one down south—your team was basically pre-determined by your skill level. The guys I played with had been the same ones I started pee-wee hockey with. They were practically my brothers. When life hit rock bottom, they were there. They always had my back, whether it was fetching Mum from her appointments or if Jamie needed a hand. Leaving meant ditching my family—my entire family.

I sighed. “Yeah, I’d be gone already. But that doesn’t change the fact that you have cancer. And cancer or no cancer, Jamie needs his big brother.”

She squeezed me tighter. “Yes, I get that. Motherhood has always been my priority, but I also had my twenties to… live. I got to figure out what I wanted, to party and be a bit silly—much to your dad’s dismay. And as your mother, I will not have you waste your life away to support mine.”

I closed my eyes as if the darkness could smother my racing thoughts.

Silently, I hugged her tighter, hoping it could keep her healthy and safe.

Hoping it would give me the strength I needed to do this.

Chapter two

Tyler

October

Istood at Perth International Airport, gear bag and luggage in tow. My family surrounded me—both biological and ice.

My teammate, Holden, nudged me. His bright white smile was damn near blinding. “You gonna show those BU boys how the Aussies do it?”

“Hell yeah! We didn’t earn that bronze for nothing.” I tried to sound confident, but the nerves were setting in. Those guys in Boston lived and breathed hockey. It was one of—if not the most—prestigious college hockey teams in America. Getting in was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I had to prove my worth.

“I meant how we party, but sure; kick their arses on the ice too.” Holden laughed when I shoved him.

“Dude, I can’t legally drink there.”

“Like that’s ever stopped anyone. I can’t wait to hear about all the college parties.”

“Mate, not what I’m there for. The scholarship is grade dependent. If I screw this up, I’m right back here carrying you lot through another round of nationals.” I bumped into his shoulder, trying to seem determined.

Holden sobered. “Fuck, we’ll totally lose this season without you.”

I laughed. Not only was it likely true, but I also needed to hear it. “You’ll be right, mate.”

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