Page 136 of Goaltender Interference

Connor was fine with it, because he wasn’t feeling chatty either. His brain kept returning to what Pat had said. Nolanstillhadn’t said anything to him about what was going on, though Connor had caught him and Jesse deep in conversation several times.

It was fine.

Connor couldn’t say helikedbeing on the outside, but Nolan was talking to someone, which was the important part.

The more Connor turned ideas around and around in his brain, the more he did wonder if Nolan was thinking about quitting hockey though. It was the only thing that really made sense to Connor. What else would Nolan be afraid to tell him?

Or, maybe it wasn’t fear but worry.

Because Connor couldn’t deny his sonhadbeen looking worried lately. He kept shooting Connor anxious glances and he’d been chewing at his cuticles a lot lately.

Connor had tossed around half a dozen theories about what could be going on—girl trouble and bullying at school near the top of the list—but the more he thought about what Jesse said about the family legacy and Pat and Connor being intimidating, Connor became more and more sure Nolan wanted to quit playing.

Connor had always stressed to the kids that hockey was supposed to befun. If they wanted to play, he would do everything he could to support them. If they didn’t, that was okay too.

Nolan had immediately taken to the sport and seemed to love it, but what if that had changed? A lot could happen in those early teenage years, which was exactly why Connor hadn’t pushed to get Nolan into a private academy like some of the other hockey dads he knew.

It was way too much pressure.

Nolan was certainly talented enough to be accepted at one and Connor had let Nolan know it was an option, but he’d also always assured him it was his choice. If Nolan wanted it, Connor would make it happen. If he didn’t, that was fine too. This year, Nolan had chosen to stay at the public school and play on the same team as his best friend Kyler.

Honestly, Connor was relieved.

Especially after the emotional upheaval of the divorce, it was best if Nolan stayed home instead of going to a school where he’d have to live away from his family.

But what if Nolan wasdonewith hockey? What if he wanted to quit?

Connor couldn’t deny he’d be disappointed.

He’d always loved that Nolan had wanted to follow in his footsteps, especially when neither of the girls seemed particularly interested. Connor had been so proud of everything Nolan had already accomplished in his young career. But at the end of the day, no matter how Connor felt about it, he didn’t want his son to stick with it just to make him happy.

But so much depended onwhyhe wanted to quit.

If Nolan was struggling with some aspect of the game or with his relationships with his coach or his teammates, Connor could work with him. If he was disappointed in the amount of ice time he’d been given, they could talk about it. Whether it was improving some specific skills or managing expectations, they could handle it.

But it was different if Nolan wanted to quit because he’d truly fallen out of love with the game or hated the pressure surrounding it.

Connor hadn’t seen any signs ofeither. Then again, he wasn’t at games or practices like he’d like to be. Connor had managed to go to an early-morning practice this week, but he was often on the road or playing at home when Connor’s games took place.

Pat was at them frequently—and whatever shit Connor gave his brother, he was grateful for the way Pat had stepped up to support Nolan, especially since the divorce—but he seemed baffled too. Pat said he hadn’t seen signs of Nolan struggling either.

Nolan was playing well, putting up points, and seemed at ease with his teammates and coaches.

Nolan was never late to practice and his grandfather had confirmed that he was always up and ready to go in the morning, eager to get on the ice to train.

So if there were signs Nolan had lost his love for the game or was struggling with it in some way, Connor sure couldn’t see them. And neither could Pat or Declan.

He was doing well outside of hockey too. His grades were good and in his free time, he hung out with his friends, especially Kyler.

Nolan seemed perfectly normal and healthy in every way. So what the hell was going on?

“Dad?” Nolan said.

Connor glanced over to see the horses had arrived back at the stable and Nolan had dismounted. He held both their horses’ reins loosely in his hands, frowning up at Connor.

Shit. It was a good thing these horses were so well trained or he could have gotten himself killed. Then again, no matter how well trained, they were still thousand-pound animals. If something had spooked them, like a deer crashing through the trees, Connor could have been in serious trouble.

“Did you have fun today, Nols?” he asked, swinging his leg over the horse’s back and sliding to the ground.

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