Page 64 of Dump and Chase

“And yet despite all that, you still refused to commit.”

“I was stupid. I still am,” he said. “I’m so sorry I screwed up, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

That was when it hit me. Where this speech was going. “That’s nice, Ethan. I appreciate that you clarified all this for me. I’m happy to put this behind us and move on. I think it’s time we found new relationships that make us happy.”

Disappointment washed over his face. “Oh.”

“You’ll always mean a lot to me, and I think we’ll do a great job co-parenting this kid of ours, but I don’t want to get hurt by you again. You say you trust me, but I can’t trust you. You hurt me New Year’s Eve, and you did it the day of your dad’s funeral. I can’t let that happen again.”

It broke my heart to say it. I hadn’t realized until that moment that deep down, I’d always thought Ethan and I would find each other again. But too much had happened. Opening my heart to him again would only lead to more heartbreak.

“I respect that,” he said quietly.

“Good. So let’s be great parents and maybe friends too.”

Did either of us believe that could happen? Probably not, but I was going to try.

ChapterThirty-One

Tangi

By the end of October, Brandon was cleared to play for the Ravens. He skated circles around the competition and was lighting up the lamp at least twice a game. He should have started with the Kodiaks. Regardless, he was still with us, and I was still treating him, although now we’d hit the maintenance phase and I was busy writing up a report for the Kodiaks PT. Brandon’s call-up was imminent.

“You’re playing like a man possessed,” I said, as he got settled on my table. I planned to do a brief exam, any necessary treatment, then send him on his way.

“I’m going to be honest. You’re pretty much the only person around here I like. And as much as I like you, I want out. Coach Anthony had no business sending me here to rehab. He just can’t stand me.”

I found a few spots that could use some acupuncture and suggested a cupping session as well in a few days, if he was still with the Ravens. He agreed. Then I addressed his observations with a tactic I’d leaned in some of the psych classes I’d taken for my minor.

“Why can’t he stand you?”

Brandon grumbled before replying. “Because I’m the only guy in the dressing room who gives one hundred percent all the time.”

“And why is that a problem?” I asked, keeping a lightness to my questions.

“Because I ruffle feathers. Some guys don’t like to give it their all. But we have fans who pay a lot of money to see us play. Not fart around.”

“Hear me out. How do you unruffle feathers but still get guys to play to their full potential?”

“Beat the shit out them.”

I laughed, although I probably shouldn’t have. “Besides that. There must be another way?”

I thought he’d started to catch on to what I was doing. “I’m not going to change who I am. If the coach and the other Kodiaks don’t like it, they can fuck right off. Or trade me.”

“And what if you end up with a team of worse do-nothings?”

“Why are you busting my balls?” he said, but I could see the smile on his face as I plunged a needle into his thigh.

“I’m not. What I want is for you to rejoin the Kodiaks and not be fighting with them all the time. That way you won’t be back here tormenting the Ravens.” Which he’d been doing relentlessly with all his pep talks about being better and playing better if they wanted to make it to the Kodiaks. He was getting on everyone’s nerves.

He thought about this for a while. I could see the wheels turning in his head. But instead of discussing it further, he pivoted. “How about that dinner at Mario’s?”

“Oh, right. Sure. And meeting his daughters.”

“Let’s just do dinner first, see if you like Mario. Then we can figure out the rest.”

We were veering very close to date territory. Fuck it. “Sure, why not. When were you thinking?”

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