Page 109 of A Whole New Trick

Dad shakes his head slowly. He keeps his eyes on Eli but answers me, “I made a mistake. If I could go back in time and change things, I would. I’m sorry, Eli. I want to make things right. I want to fix things.”

It takes everything I have not to lash out at him again.

As much as I want to tell him to shove his apology up his ass, that’s not my decision. My protective instincts are triggered. I’m not thinking calmly. But based on Eli’s contemplative expression, he is. That’s what matters.

I glance at Mom to gauge her reaction. Tears shimmer in her eyes, and she clutches her hands tightly to her chest. She wants us to be a happy family again. For her sake, I want that, too. So does Eli. But her happiness can’t come at the expense of Eli’s, not after what he’s put himself through to get to this point in his life.

“You really don’t mind that I’m gay?” Eli sounds skeptical, but the hint of hope in the question makes my gut twist.

I swear, if Dad says anything homophobic, I’m going to get out of this bed and physically force him out of this room, injured head be damned.

Dad straightens. “I don’t. Hand to God, I don’t.” He swallows thickly. “I love you, Eli. I’m sorry I ever made you doubt that. I’m going to do better. I swear.”

The catch in his throat doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone in the room. Tears roll down Mom’s face, and Eli’s lips are pressed together like he’s holding back his own tears.

I look at my hands in my lap and school my expression, determined to follow Eli’s lead on this. My personal thoughts don’t matter; only Eli and Mom matter. And if Dad is being real, I look forward to our family unit healing.

We may never be what we once were, but anything is better than what we’ve been lately.

A phone rings, interrupting the moment. I frown when I realize it’s my cell phone.

Who would be calling at this hour?

We all look toward the sound. Eli sees the phone first and picks it up to hand it to me.

When I read the name, my brow lifts. I answer the call immediately. “Dane, speaking.”

“Hey, Dane.” Gary Ramirez greets with a relieved sigh. “Glad to hear your voice.”

“Thanks. I woke up not long ago.”

“I’m glad. I was going to leave a voicemail, but it’s probably best to say this to you directly.”

My heart pounds in my chest.

My parents and Eli look at me with questioning eyes. I must look panicked. I hold up a finger, silently asking them to wait, then take a deep breath before asking, “What is it?”

“It’s about the potential trade deal.” The sound of shuffling papers flows through the earpiece. “I have some news.”

35

MORGAN

“This is incredible.”Mom spins in a slow circle, taking in the view from the spacious suite where we will be watching game seven in the championship series.

Games four, five, and six put all Ranchers and Crocs fans on a rollercoaster of emotions, alternating wins each game, defying home ice advantages, and giving each fan base hope that their team would be able to seal victory without needing an additional game.

Yet, here we are.

“Isn’t it?” Carlee says. “The Ranchers should take notes. The Crocs know what they’re doing.”

“The Crocs are an older team,” Carter points out. Behind him, Eli and the twins are scoping out the snack situation on the table by the door.

Valerie is nearby, watching Abby and Andy’s antics with a soft smile. Corey Johnson, Carlee’s fiancé, would be here if he could, but he has a game with the Lonestars tomorrow, and he couldn’t get away from Dallas.

The suite is filled with friends and family here to support Dane. Tonight will be the first time he hits the ice since his injuryeleven days ago. It’s killed him not to be cleared to play for the other games in the series, but I was secretly glad.

It will be a long time before I’ll forget the terror I felt seeing him lying unmoving on the ice and then struggling to remain conscious in the medical room. I’m grateful the medical team didn’t clear him before he was ready, despite the pressure the hockey community was putting on them. The championship might’ve been on the line, but Dane’s health was more important.

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