Page 18 of Finding the Forward: Part One
My stroke, caused by faulty alpha-blockers, caused some problems with my left leg. This affected my balance and mobility. I also had issues with my hormones, senses, and instincts, and was now sensitive to a couple of medications. It was a lot easier to overdo it now, and sometimes my leg hurt because of it.
I’d spent my summer in Rockland, doing major rehab and living in Grace’s guesthouse with Mercy. Now, here we were, in New York City, living our best life.
Carefully, I made my way down the stairs to the ground floor of our building, then the stoop, grateful we lived on the second floor since stairs were still hard to navigate. Our apartment was in a cute little townhouse in a bank of university-owned ones used for family and pack housing.
The New York Institute of Technology had asked me to leave Briar University and join my professor, Dr. Winters, as he helped build their plant genetics program. They’d offered me a very generous aid package that included campus housing.
Mercy and I set off across campus toward the metro, which was only a short walk. One that I was getting better at every day. Trees, green space, and beautiful buildings filled NYIT. It was one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the nation. Though some of the uneven sidewalks were a pain to navigate.
“You know, you’re in New York now. The parents no longer control our lives.Shouldn’t you be partying and dating instead of making sure I’ve done my online classes and escorting me topractice? I mean, you didn’t even go out with your friends last night.” She flashed me a grin. My sister was a teen-age rookie, so the team had strict rules for her.
This was also an old conversation–and a ploy. Probably spurred by me turning down bar hopping with my cohort so I could accompany her to a promo thing for her team.
“As I’ve said before, when you turn eighteen next summer and sign a new contract, you can do whatever you want. Until then, you’re stuck with me. If you wanted to live with someone exciting, you should’ve signed with a different team.” I grinned back as we swiped our way into the metro.
My expression turned serious. “No one’s teasing you about it, right?”
Mercy shook her head as we headed to the platform. “No. But you work so hard. I’d love to see you have some fun for once. You don’t even go out. You’re always with me. Your classmates might feel neglected.”
No, my cohort understood how busy I was. Especially those who came with me from Briar and knew Mercy.
“Living with you is fun. Did you ever think that by caring for you, you’re both meeting your contractual obligations and helpingme?” I added as we joined the morning throng waiting for the metro, not wanting her to think she was a burden. I enjoyed living in New York with her. The change of scenery had done both of us good.
She nodded as she scrolled through her phone. “Got it. I’m an integral part of maintaining your mental health.”
“You know you are.”
We got on the metro, and I took one of the open seats. Mercy stood beside me in the crowded car.
It had been sheer luck that the university my professor was moving to was in New York City, and that the ManhattanMaimers had drafted Mercy. It felt as if we were meant to go for it.
So, we told the parents to screw themselves. Most were still not talking to us.
Fine by me.They dissolved the pack, moved away from our hometown of Research Circle, and were off living their own lives anyway. Well, except for Mom, who was still in jail.
Though I missed my younger siblings. Mumsy had returned to London, bringing Dad, Harry and the littles–my three tiny siblings–with her. Baba moved back to Bayside with Mama and my younger brother Chance.
Mercy and I got off the metro, left the station, and walked to the training center. The massive facility featured multiple ice rinks, locker rooms, workout areas, and training rooms. There was even a snack bar. They had public skate nights, kids’ leagues, recreation teams, and many other things. Sometimes, I liked to watch the figure skaters.
We made our way through the public areas and back to the Maimers’ locker room, using a code to enter.
“One package for delivery,” I called. Their locker room in the training center was spacious, with lockers for the team members, benches, and showers. A giant rug had the Maimers’ logo on it–a skate smash helmet and two axes.
“We don’t want any,” Rusty, the captain and a crusher like Mercy, laughed. She was a little older than me and loved to garden, so we had a lot to talk about. Her skate smash name wasRusty Nails.
They were all about the nicknames in skate smash. Mercy had beenHave No Mercyfor years. Contractually, I had to drop Mercy off and pick her up, so I’d becomeTeam Mom.I waved to everyone as Mercy went to her locker.
“Hey, Team Mom. Today’s your day for snacks. Did you remember?” Ash, who played swing, asked. He was in his earlytwenties, with fuck-boy good looks, and liked to forget his shirt. Sometimes, his pants. There was a reason his nickname wasGrievous Bodily Charm.
“Of course. I made something you haven’t tried yet. I modified it for Kaiko’s food allergies. Let me know if it’s a keeper.” I handed over the tote.
“I liked those muffins you made last time,” Liv replied. She was co-captain and also an alpha. She had green spiky hair, a sleeve of tattoos, and multiple piercings.
“Yeah, but maybe you could add a little more orange? I love orange,” Ash added as he put on his skates, still shirtless.
The Maimers were a co-ed, mixed designation team. Skate smash was alpha-heavy, with only a few betas–and also female-dominated.
“We’ve got some stuff in the community today, so we’ll text you if the pickup time and location change,” Rusty told me. Her look went sly. “You can come help.”
