Page 61 of Fresh Ice
“Well, why not? Jeez, Olive, you’re a good guy,” Levy argued.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m okay. It’s just a few months.”
Levy sighed loudly. “I’ll see you at the awards though, right?”
The playoffs had ended the week before, the Halifax Lynx taking home the Cup. Alonso hadn’t paid much attention despite his dad’s insistence to watch games together, but it did mean the NHL awards were coming up.
Alonso didn’t know how to feel about them. He wanted to see Levy, sure, but he dreaded what his dad would do or say to embarrass him.
“Yeah,” Alonso said. “I’ll be there.”
“Gonna win the Calder for me?” Levy teased.
Alonso flushed. “Win it yourself,” he muttered.
Levy laughed. “Sure. I’ll win it for you, baby.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Alonso said even as warmth pooled in his chest. He didn’t know what it meant that Levy still flirted with him, but Alonso wasn’t going to put a stop to it.
He’d proved by now that he was weak for Levy, and there was no end in sight.
**********
The NHL awards were a trip.
Alonso was shaking with nerves. Not only was he going to see Levy for the first time in more than a month, but he was probably not going to win the Calder, and he was also surrounded by his childhood heroes—the best hockey players in the world.
All with his dad a dark shadow at his side.
“I hope you’re not planning on going out tonight,” his dad said as they made it to their hotel room. Alonso desperately wished they’d gotten different ones, but the NHL hadn’t shelled out for it. Alonso could afford it, but it wasn’t worth the fight it would start between them.
“Uhm…no.”
“Obviously you’re not winning this time, but you should still look presentable tomorrow,” his dad went on.
Alonso focused on opening his suitcase and taking his toiletries out. He knew he didn’t deserve to win the Calder—he’d gotten the most goals out of all the rookies, but his team hadn’t even made it to the playoffs. There were people that deserved it more.
Still. It stung to hear his dad say it so casually. Not that he should have expected anything else.
“Right,” Alonso mumbled.
“Alonso, please speak clearly.”
“Sorry.” Alonso winced as his voice wobbled slightly. God, he was an idiot. “Uhm, I’m going to take a shower.”
“Fine.”
Alonso shut himself inside the bathroom and took a deep breath. It had been nice, living away from his dad. Having him so close Alonso couldn’t escape, though, was bringing back old anxieties he thought he’d worked through a long time ago.
Apparently, he’d been unhabituated during his time away, and now he had to get used to his dad’s constant presence all over again.
It was going to be a long couple of days.
Alonso pulled his phone out, thumbing open his chat with Levy.
ALONSO
Hey. Not gonna be able to come out tonight, sorry
