Page 1 of Play It Sinful

CHAPTER 1

SEAN

FOURTEEN YEARS AGO

I’m having the best day. I just scored my first hat trick ever, and I can’t wait to celebrate after the game with my friends. Dad always takes us out for pizza.

Then I remember he isn’t here today. He’s out of town on a business trip. When I look at the stands and don’t see Mom, my disappointment is complete. Shepromisedshe’d come. I should have known it was all a lie. She isn’t like the other hockey moms, who come to every practice and game.

I’m still feeling down when I walk out of the locker room with my best friend, Devon. He’s also my neighbor, and we’ve been friends since he moved into the house next door two years ago. He’s clueless about my mood though. I’ve gotten good at hiding my feelings.

“That last shot was sick!” he says.

“Thanks. I got lucky.”

“No way. It was skills. The best part was seeing the look on that stupid goalie’s face.”

“Devon! Language,” his mother says as she approaches us. Mrs. Connelly is a typical hockey mom. She doesn’t miss a singlepractice or game, and she volunteers to chaperone whenever we have games out of town. Sometimes I wish she was my mother, and then I feel guilty for thinking that.

“Sorry, Mom. But did you see what Sean did?” Devon throws an arm around my shoulder.

Her expression softens. “I sure did. Congratulations, honey.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Connelly.”

“Your mother texted me. She’s stuck in traffic and asked me to give you a lift home.”

I shrug. “Okay.”

“Oh, can Sean come over and play video games?”

“I suppose if his mother isn’t home by the time we get there... sure. But I’ll check with her first.”

“She’s gonna say yes,” I reply with certainty. Mom doesn’t care much about what I do, as long as I don’t annoy her.

Momdoesn’tsay yes, and that’s a real bummer. I was looking forward to a video game sesh with Devon. But she’s back from her errands and asks me to come straight home.

“Mom, why can’t I play with Devon?” I ask the moment I walk into the house.

“Come into the living room, Sean. We need to have a talk.”

My stomach tightens. Her tone is serious. Did she find my old lunch box under my bed? I start to sweat. But when I see my sister sitting on the couch, looking bored, the fear squeezing my heart lets go. I don’t think this is about my secret.

“What’s going on? Are we in trouble?” I ask.

Mom shakes her head. “Oh no, sweetie. This isn’t about anything you or Kenzie have done. I just have news.”

The worry returns and eats at my insides. If this isn’t about Kenzie or me, then I can guess what Mom’s going to say. She’s leaving Dad.

I sit next to Kenzie on the couch and hold her hand. Mom is already sitting on the chair opposite the couch. She’s only a year younger than me, and at seven, she rarely lets me comfort her anymore. But today, she doesn’t pull her hand away. It’s like she can sense Mom has bad news.

Mom takes a sharp breath, squaring her shoulders. “You father and I have decided to separate.”

“What? No,” Kenzie whimpers.

“It’s for the best, sweetie. Your father and I don’t get along anymore, and we believe it’s better for the entire family if we don’t try to force a situation that isn’t working.”

“Why isn’t Dad here?” I ask.

---