Page 43 of The Comeback

I know I shouldn’t respond, but the angry words slip out. “You’re the one who summoned me here. I have zero desire to disrupt your quiet with my presence. I would have been quite happy staying home.”

“Watch it. We’ve got guests tonight. I don’t need you making a spectacle with your attitude.”

“Guests?” I shoot a questioning look at my sister who responds with an eyeroll behind Lawrence’s back. “I thought this was a family dinner.” I resist the urge to throw up air quotes at the word family. What a joke.

“Yes. Frank Miller and his wife Diana are here. I expect you to treat them with respect and at least pretend you were raised to be civil. And tuck in that shirt.” I have to bite my tongue to avoid snapping back at the insult to my mom. She raised us well. At least until she married him.

He turns away and glides back down the hall without another word. I leave the shirt untucked in a small act of rebellion. He won’t call me out on it in front of company no matter how much it bothers him.

I wore jeans with no holes and a long sleeved black Henley. I knew he wouldn’t approve of my choice of attire, but that’s too bad. I wear enough suits back and forth to games, and I’m certainly not trying to impress him.

“Why do you needle him like that, Sebbie?” Ari drops her voice to the barest whisper as her eyes tighten with worry.

I match her tone. “Better he’s pissed at me than you or Mom.”

“I don’t need you to protect me. I can look after myself.”

“You might not need it, Bit, but as your big brother I’m never gonna stop looking out for you.” My hand slips up to ruffle her hair. Sure I know she’s not a kid anymore, but she’ll always be my little sis and I’ll never stop worrying about her.

A man with black hair silvering at the temples and a three piece navy suit even crisper than Larry’s rises when we enter the immaculate room that no one except the choicest of company is allowed in.

I grab the hand he extends toward me in an automatic response and his soft palm closes around my callused one in a firm grip. Well I imagine he thinks it’s firm. I could cause him some discomfort with my grip, but it’s not his fault he’s friends with the asshole. Or maybe it is, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and use my manners. My mother did in fact teach me manners.

“Sebastian. Pleasure to meet you. I’ve seen you play, and it looks like you’re shaping up for a good year after that unfortunate injury.” His voice booms out a little too heartily.

“Oh, you’re a hockey fan?” My eyes narrow in suspicion. That’s why I was summoned here tonight. Larry wants to impress a potential client with his superstar hockey player stepson, as if he had anything to do with my talent.

“Actually, I’m an agent.” His hand slips into his pocket quicker than an illusionist and he slides his card into my palm in a deft move I’m sure he’s practiced a million times. “Frank Miller. I’d love to work with you.”

There’s the angle. My head swivels to shoot a glare at my stepfather. Like I’d ever work with anyone he’s connected with. No thank you. I nod politely though and slide the card into my pocket. “Nice to meet you.” I give him a noncommittal nod and turn to my mom as she walks into the room carrying a tray of h’ors d’oeuvres.

“Mom.” My entire body softens and I head over to take the tray from her. She looks so much more fragile than she did when I was growing up. She’s always been tiny, that’s where Bria got her height. But unlike Bria’s healthy slim build with curves and a glow to her skin, my mom’s skin looks pale and stretched too tightly over her bones. She’s lost weight and her blue eyes don’t have the sparkle they used to. It’s his fault. He’s dimming her light and life a little more every day.

“Sebastian.” Her face softens as she relinquishes the tray to me. I set it down on the coffee table before pulling her to me for a hug. She still smells the same. Like home. A soft floral mix that reminds me of when she’d be the one picking me up and wrapping her arms around me to soothe a scraped knee or fever.

She pulls back. “I think you’ve gotten even bigger since the last tine I saw you. How’s the leg holding up.” Her eyes dart to my knee and back up to my face, pinched with worry.

“It’s great, Mom. I’m all healed up. I’m fine. We’re having a good season.”

“I know, but I worry about you.”

“Shouldn’t you be finishing up dinner, Janet.” Lawrence’s voice cuts through our reunion.

“Of course, dear.” She pulls free from my arms and scurries off. I don’t like this obedient housewife role he’s forced her into.

As soon as her low heels have clicked out of the room, Larry rounds on me again. “Well, what do you say to Frank, son?”

“I’m not your son.” The automatic response slips out before I can stop myself, and I flinch at the diamond hard gleam in his eyes promising payback later when the guests have left.

He laughs it off. “These children, right?” He directs the words along with a forced laugh at his buddy before turning back to me. “It’s about time you commit to someone to help shape your future with graduation looming. You might not get another chance at a top notch agent like Frank. Your injury and year off the ice has made you a risky prospect.”

“Oh, the boys got talent. I’m sure he’ll find his way, but I’m happy to help him get there.” Either Frank is completely oblivious to the tense family dynamics or he doesn’t give a shit as long as he makes a profit off my back.

“Everything is fine. I’m not worried or ready to commit to someone yet, but I’ll keep your card, Frank.” I won’t but there’s no need to tell him that. I don’t want to get a reputation for being difficult before my career even starts. Because I might be hiding it well, but Larry is playing on those fears I keep hidden deep down inside. I am afraid I’m not good enough or the teams will consider me a liability after my injury and I won’t get a contract. My heart picks up its pace and my palms grow damp at the thought of all my dreams going up in smoke. My entire life I’ve dreamed of being a professional hockey player and without that I’ve got nothing. No back up plan. Sure I’ll have a degree, but starting out in some minimum wage job won’t get my sister out from under my stepfather’s thumb. It also won’t give me the opportunity to give my mom an out. I doubt she’ll take it. She’s been well hypnotized by my stepfather’s spell. She’s going to need to come to that realization on her own, but I have to at least try. And then there’s Abby…Not sure when she became a part of my long term plans, but I can’t picture a future without her in it at this point. I’ve wasted too many years we should have been together.

Chapter 33

Abby

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