Page 72 of The Fine Line
Her words hit deep.
And I almost tell her.
More than you’d think.
But then the hallway echoes with movement. Doors opening. She hears it too. Her shoulders tense.
She looks at me—something flickering in her eyes I’ve never seen before: fear.
“I’ve gotta go,” she says.
And this time, I let her.
seventeen
RHETT
Twelve Years Ago
Montréal, QC, CA
I don’t let myself look up.
I tap my foot, clenching my teeth together.
Keep it together, my own voice echoes in the forefront of my mind, while dozens of others scream at me in the back of it.
You’ll never make it in the NHL.
You don’t deserve this.
You’re a liability.
You’re an embarrassment.
You’re worthless.
Who would pick you?
The last voice sends an ache through my jaw and a shiver down my spine. Because it’s the freshest blow. And it belongs to my father.
My father, who isn’t here today for the NHL draft. My father, who—despite every report for the last six monthsforecasting me as a top pick—has had me convinced since long before I played college hockey that there’s not a chance in hell.
None of it ever felt real to me. It was always hard to grasp. I know I’m great at hockey. I put everything I have into it. But it’s never felt like enough. I’m no better than anyone else in this room. Certainly no more deserving. I’m just a lucky bastard. No one to admire.
I catch movement in my peripheral vision and glance to the side, catching the eye of the closest thing to a mother that I have here for me.
Except she’s the mother of the guy in this room I think deserves to be here more than anyone else. Someone who is worth looking up to.
Bennett’s seated next to me, between me and both of his parents.
Jamesy’s also a top favorite to be drafted. There’s not an article that’s talked about me that hasn’t talked about him. We’ve been absolutely dominating together and have led U of T to the two most successful seasons they’ve had in the last two decades.
And now we’re both sitting here at the NHL fucking draft—a moment we’ve dreamed of since we were little kids—and it’s clear both of our minds are miles away.
Julia didn’t show up for him. I hate that for him more than I can express. But selfishly, it’s kinda nice to not be the only person in the room that was overlooked for once.
I glance from Bennett’s stoic face back to his mom’s. Shaunna James is giving me a warm smile, so I smile back. Her lips twitch at the corners, her smile threatening to shift into a frown. She’s trying to hide it, though. That she’s sad. Sad for me.
