Page 115 of Cross-Check

That one hurt. My heart breaks a little at his statement, and I can feel my eyes tear.

“I understand your position. You’ve had your life planned out since you were a kid. You always knew that it would be hockey for you. I didn’t have that. I lived in the shadow of the great Clayton James. I was good in school because I was expected to be. I went to college because you and Mom asked me to. Not once did anyone ask me what I wanted. I understand that college is important to some people, but it’s not to me. Not right now. You don’t want me working myself to the bone, but I won’t be. The pay is competitive, and the work is rewarding. Will I be making millions? No. Not a chance, but will I be happy? That’s the only question that matters to me, Clay. And the answer is yes.”

“Cora,” Clay starts, but Mom finally speaks up.

“Enough, Clayton.”

I swallow at her stern tone.

“Sorry, Mom,” Clay mutters.

“Cora.” Mom turns to me. “I can’t say I approve, because I don’t. I work as hard as I do to make sure you kids have a better life. I feel like you are throwing that away, but you’re right. You are an adult and can make your own decisions. Only you know what’s in your heart, and if this is the journey it is telling you to go on, then you go. I will always be here for you, no matter what. Clayton will be too. That’s what family does. So stop your arguing.” She turns to Clay. “I understand you feel responsible for her. You are her older brother, but more than that, you have been like a father figure to her at times. You were the man of the house, and I think I put too much pressure on you to help me parent Cora. That wasn’t fair. We will support your sister in this because she has always supported you without complaint. She gave up the opportunity for her to have her own thing because she wanted you to be able to pursue hockey, so I want you to show her some respect and support her.”

Clay nods at her, turning to face me after a moment. “I’m sorry. I love you, and I don’t want you to struggle anymore. I’m worried the path you have chosen will be hard. I don’t want that for you.”

“I respect that, but I’m not scared of the rougher path, Clay. We are survivors. All three of us. We have fought through hell and made it out on the other side. So while you see a difficult path ahead for me, I only see the sunshine at the end. I can do this. I know I can. It feels right.”

“Okay then, I will support you,” Clay concedes.

“Me too. We love you, Cora.” Mom reaches over, grabbing my free hand.

“If my opinion matters at all, I am proud of you, Cora. You have looked happy when you talk about work, so I’m glad you found your passion,” Grace adds.

“Thank you, Grace.”

“Okay, enough of that. Who wants dessert?” Mom asks, getting up from the table.

I frown at her as we have barely eaten, but I see it for what it is. She needs a moment. She is acting strong for me, but I think I broke her heart.

Kellan leans closer to me. “It’s going to be okay. I’m proud of you.”

His whispered words help ease some of the hurt in my chest, but not all of it.

I hope I’m making the right decision.

* * *

“Well, that was eventful,” Cora says as she shuts the bedroom door behind her.

“Are you okay? Really?” I ask her, pulling her into my arms.

She snuggles in closer to me. “I think I broke my mom’s heart.”

“She is disappointed right now, but when she sees you go out and kill it, she will know you made the right decisions. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the dream you had, especially when it’s for someone you love.”

“You are so wise.” She smiles, pushing me back toward the bed.

“What are you doing?”

Once I’m seated on the edge of the bed, she straddles my lap.

“I’m checking in on you. How are you doing?”

I shrug. “I have an appointment next week to see if medication is the best route for me or if there are other options for me.”

She nods. “Meditation can help. Staying active too, but you are already so active. Oh, they also say eliminating caffeine and alcohol intake will help.”

I smirk up at her. “Did you do some research?”

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