Page 101 of Melting the Ice

“I’d ask if you’d ever considered that,” Tish said to Dean, “but I have a feeling you haven’t.”

“Next year, I’ll be drafted into the NFL and if God’s willing, I’ll have a nice long career before I’ve got to figure out what else I’m doing,” Dean said.

“I saw that fumble return you had against USC,” Roger said, with clear admiration in his expression, “so it doesn’t feel like much of a prayer, and more of a certainty.”

“No certainties, but I feel good about my chances.”

“Dean’s the most determined person I’ve ever met,” Brody said.

“Sounds like it was a good thing that Ramsey bailed on living with you.”

“Actually,” Brody said, smiling, “I think Ramsey was playing matchmaker.”

Tish’s wine glass, halfway to her lips, froze.

“Uh,roommatematchmaker,” Brody clarified.

But the knowing look in his mom’s eyes was hard to miss.

She’d guessed. Maybe even before tonight.

Well, Brody was beginning to think they weren’t all that subtle, actually. He definitely wasn’t.

“I’ll make sure to tell him I’m thankful for his intervention tomorrow night,” Tish said firmly.

“How’s he feel about his chances after graduation?” Roger asked.

And thankfully, his own interrogation was over. At least for now. There was no way they wouldn’t discuss this again, but he’d made his feelings clear, and his parents had at least appeared to accept them.

“Honestly, I’ve never seen Ramsey work so damn hard,” Brody admitted.

“Good for him,” Tish said.

“He’s really improved since that draft spot where the Oilers took him, a few years back.”

“Yeah, I know he’s pushing to make it right onto a roster, after dev camp and then the regular preseason camp,” Brody said. “And Coach B is good for him, that way. He’s pushing all of us hard.”

His mom shot him a look, and Brody didn’t need her to say it out loud for him to understand it.Even you?

“Even me, Mom,” Brody added, rolling his eyes. “You can say shit out loud, you know?”

“Language, Brody,” Tish said sternly, but she was smiling. “I’m sorry, this is just such an adjustment for me. The way I think of you.”

“He’s growing up,” Roger said, glancing over at his wife. “And for the record,Ithink that’s a very good thing.”

“I do too,” Tish agreed, then she sighed. “It’s just . . .different. That’s all.”

“It’s only less weird to me because it’s been on my mind for awhile,” Brody admitted.

“Awhile?” his dad questioned.

“Some this summer, but I thought when I got back, it would be different. The same, I guess, as it always was. At first, it was easy to tell myself I was uneasy about my knee, but I know now that it’s not just that.”

“As long as you’re not forcing yourself to do something you don’t want,” Tish said firmly. “If you’re worrying about not making it—”

“I’m not,” Brody said, cutting that thought off hard and fast. “It’s not that I hate playing hockey now or that I don’t think I’m good enough. It’s just not what I think I want to do for the rest of my life.”

“Alright,” Tish said, smiling.

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