Page 109 of The Breaking Point

The Blades were one of the best teams in the NHL. They were also my favorite team. I followed them religiously, watching every game. I could name all the players’ stats, to the point that my teammates at UW made fun of me for it.

“Thanks, son. I’m pretty excited myself.” Mr. Dallas nodded happily. “Now, the missus isn’t thrilled about moving, but we’ll manage. It doesn’t help that LA is so damn expensive.”

“Well, you’ll be making good money, won’t you?”

Mr. Dallas grinned. “You bet I will be.”

“And maybe I’ll be one of your draft picks in a few years.” I said the words lightly even though internally, I was all nerves.

Mr. Dallas assessed me. “You might be right on that one. But we’ll see what happens. Things can change. Besides, you mightend up being drafted to a Midwest team closer to Wisconsin, especially if you like the place.”

“And freeze my balls off? No, thanks.”

Mr. Dallas chuckled. “I’m surprised you haven’t died out there yet. Did you figure out how to drive in the snow yet? You know, it’s driving on ice that’s the worst. I did it once when I was in Maine for a business meeting, and I nearly shit myself as I did a one-eighty on a highway.”

“What in the world are you talking about?” Mrs. Dallas asked. She then beckoned to me. “Brady, I could use your help.”

I nodded, knowing full well that Mrs. Dallas was the one who ran this family. Even Mr. Dallas wasn’t brave enough to say no to his wife.

“Now, help me with these dinner rolls. You remember how to fold them, right?” she said.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Well, I’m excited to hear all about your first semester of college. A lot has changed around here, too. I’m sure Mr. Dallas told you about his new job.” Mrs. Dallas sighed. “I’m sad to sell this house. We’ve lived here since the kids were small. But it’s such an amazing opportunity. Besides, Grace will be going to college here soon, so we’ll be empty nesters.”

“How is Ben?” I asked even though I really wanted to ask about his sister again.

“Oh, he’s great. He’ll be here later tonight. He and his old high school friends are having a bonfire down by the lake. You should go, if you want to. I know you just got here, though.”

“He’s not coming home for dinner?” I looked at the piles of food that Mrs. Dallas was preparing.

She laughed. “This is for tomorrow. Well, most of it is. Some of this is for tonight. I might’ve gone a little overboard, but I was excited to have all my kids back home.”

I smiled, pleased at her words. Although I’d been reluctant to come back home for Christmas, I was glad I had. It would’ve been depressing to wander around the deserted campus while everybody else went off to celebrate with their families.

“And Grace should be home soon. She’s with her new boyfriend, Sean. He seems like a nice boy. We’ve only met him twice,” said Mrs. Dallas as she stirred a pot on the stove.

I gritted my teeth. Well, Grace must’ve gotten over her crush on me. I wondered whether this was the same guy I’d seen her kissing at the movie theater a year ago.

“Does she know where she’ll apply for college?” I asked, needing to change the subject.

“Oh, she has a whole list. I’d love it if she could go to UCLA or USC so she’d be close by, but she might end up staying here to go to UNLV. As far as I know, she wants to stay west of the Rocky Mountains.”

Ben was attending the University of Vermont, both for their hockey team and because, as he’d told me, he wanted to get as far away from his parents as possible. Ben had always found his parents rather overinvolved in his life. To me, they’d just seemed like parents who actually gave a shit about their kids, unlike my own parents.

After Mrs. Dallas thanked me for my help, I decided to go for a swim. At my last game, I’d gotten rammed by a huge dude, and my shoulder was still feeling the hit. After changing into my trunks, I waded into the pool.

I couldn’t help but remember when Grace had taught me to swim in this very pool. I’d been such a lost, angry kid back then. It was a wonder that a young girl like Grace had been brave enough to talk to me, let alone teach me to swim.

And now Ben, Grace, and I had all gone our separate ways. I wondered if the Dallases would keep asking me to come back after I’d graduated from college. Or would our connection slowlyfade away, and we’d only exchange a phone call once or twice a year going forward?

But then again, if I actually did get drafted by the Blades, I’d still be in their lives. Which also meant I could keep tabs on Grace.

I shook my head and dove under the water. I did a few laps, trying to clear my head.

“Brady! Braaaady!”

I stood in the shallow end of the pool to see Grace waving at me.

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