Page 49 of One Timer With A Wingman

“She wants to have the baby,” I state.

“That’s not what I meant. They offer different services and can provide help to students,” she clarifies.

“She’s been calling the baby Nugget. That’s cute, right?” I can’t stop the smile forming on my lips.

Coach Bailey smiles too. “It is cute. I think you’re going to be just fine once this initial shock wears off.”

“Yeah,” I agree, feeling a little lighter.

“Do you think you can handle practice now?” she asks.

I nod. “Don’t want to let the team down.”

“Good. I’ll update Coach Heaton, so he doesn’t penalize you for being late,” she says. We both head out to the arena. I skate on to the ice and Coach Bailey goes to speak with Coach Heaton.

The guys all ask if everything is okay. I assure them it is, but I know I need to tell them sometime soon that Mom isn’t well. Briar wants to keep the pregnancy under wraps until she’s three months. We can try but I don’t know how realistic it will be. We’ll need to go to appointments together and see each other. Our friends will start asking questions.

I get through practice without a hitch. I spend the morning going to classes. I’m not completely focused but it’s the best I can do. By lunchtime I text Briar.

Me: Have you eaten lunch?

I watch the balls rolling.

Briar:No, I ate a late breakfast. Why?

Me:I just want to make sure you’re okay.

Briar: I woke up and puked before I even brushed my teeth. Then I went to the financial aid office to put in a request, and now I am at the Wellness Center getting ready to speak to a therapist. I don’t know if I’m okay.

I wince at her response. Whatever I am going through, this is so much harder for her. She has to carry the baby and pause her gymnastics career.

Me:What can I do?

Briar:Nothing, but thanks for asking.

I meet the guys in the food court on campus. We all sit around a table to eat. I’m not close with everyone on the team. It’s mostly my housemates.

When Finn asks me what went down this morning, I know I need to give them something.

“My mom was diagnosed with ALS,” I say to the guys. The burger I was eating falls out of my hand and my mouth feels like sandpaper. I hate saying those words.

“What does that mean, bro?” Luc asks, but he can tell it isn’t good because he looks so damn serious.

“It’s a degenerative disease of the motor system. It means that slowly my mom will grow weak as she withers away.”

The guys all have different reactions from hissing to saying “that’s tough.” Macklin stands and hugs me and tells me he’s sorry. Finn gets up and hugs me too, but it’s Luc’s reaction that really gets me when he starts to cry and tells me how sorry he is.

Truth is, I want to cry with him but I don’t allow myself to cry. It’s on the tip of my tongue to share the news about Briar, but I feel like I need to tell my parents first, and I promised Briar I’d keep our secret for now.

After lunch I am walking to class when my phone vibrates in my pocket. Mom’s name lights up the screen.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, honey. Dad and I want to come watch your game in Ann Arbor tomorrow night. We thought maybe we could get some dinner together after. We miss you,” she says and my heart squeezes.

“I miss you guys too,” I reply, and my voice cracks at the end.

“Aaron, are you okay?” she asks, her mom radar in full gear.

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