Page 55 of Pucking Obsessed

“Take Mike with you,” I blurt.

I can’t help it.

If I discover that coach has laid a hand on Robyn, then I’m going to beat the shit out of him.

Yet Cody is the first person to want to be my friend.

Isn’t it my duty to protect him as well?

I shudder with the memory of every slap, punch, kick, and swing of the belt. I can’t play hockey now because I’ve received so many blows to the head in my childhood that one more now on the ice could kill me.

Was that Cody’s reality too?

Cody glances at me. “I’m going to ask Ryn too. I’m not ready to be out on the water with Dad by myself.”

My shoulders slump in relief. “Good.”

Cody hugs his knees tighter. “I didn’t know how much I needed someone who I could talk to about shit like this. Mike gets too angry on my behalf, and I can’t tell Ryn. It’s herloving dad, you know?”

So, friendship means telling people things that you can’t tell anyone else.

It truly is special.

“I understand.” I place the tray down on the floor and edge closer to Cody, taking his hand.

Cody gives a laugh that’s choked with tears. “Dad hated it, when Ryn held my hand. He said that I wasn’t beinga man. Iwas only afucking kid.I was glad that she wasn’t allowed in the study, during my punishments. She tried really hard to protect me but she couldn’t stop it. I know that Dad was grieving. He thought that he was disciplining me in order to stop me from making the same mistakes that he had. Sometimes, he was drunk and he…”

When Cody trails off, his gaze becomes glassy.

I recognize that look. “Code…?”

He flinches.

I recognize that flinch as well.

I’m going to protect both Robyn and Cody.

I won’t allow them to live in fear of any monsters.

If I can’t kick coach’s arse, then I’m at least going to find a way to remove his strict control over everyone I love and care for.

D’Angelo sees coach as a father figure. Shay looks up to him. Robyn loves him.

They’re all under his power.

I may not be able to change that yet. But I can play a long game.

“Dad’s invited me to the Bay Rebels Halloween party,” Cody says, quietly. “He didn’t invite me to any of the others. In fact, he hasn’t celebrated Halloween with me since Mom died. But I know the real reason he doesn’t want me around. It’s guilt.”

My brow furrows. “Guilt?”

Cody is trembling.

He takes a long moment, and I realize with shock that he’s about to tell me something that he’s never shared with anyone else.

I know because I’ve been doing the same with Robyn.

Does he trust me that much?

---