Page 91 of Shutout
“I did too.” I squeeze my eyes shut and lean against her. “But he’s leaving.”
“What do you mean leaving?”
I tell her everything I know, which isn’t much but is definitive enough. “Ma, he’s getting the opportunity of his life. I can’t just get in the way.”
“But why would you be getting in the way?” She strokes my hair with one hand, the other holding me tight against her.
“Because I dallied. I didn’t tell him what I feel in time and if I do that now it might make him hesitate.” I shake my head against her shoulder. “I can’t do that to him. Hockey’s all he has.”
“He has you too. He wouldn’t choose one or the other.”
I frown. “What?”
“People can have several loves without favoring one over the rest. Just look at your father and I. We love you three just the same.”
“That’s not true.” I scoff. “Luz is the favorite child. I’m the middle of the pack. Aran’s the third fave.”
“What?” Mom screeches and pulls away. There’s abject horror on her face. “Is that what you kids think?”
“Uh…” How did I just make this all worse?
“Olivia Maria…”
“Well.” I scratch my head. “It’s in the level of attention.”
“What you just mentioned is the level of neediness.” Mom smacks my arm pretty hard, making me wince. “Your sister’s injury screwed us all up, and then there are your allergies. We just didn’t have to worry very much about Aran.” Her eyes glaze over as she gasps. “Oh, no. Does he think we don’t love him? Arturo!”
“EpiPen?” Dad calls out from the living room, his voice stillcoming from the same place on the couch where he’s attentively watching his son’s game.
“Apparently the kids don’t think we love them enough!”
I shake my head. “Sorry, Mom. I didn’t?—”
Dad takes a moment to say anything. “Should we buy them more gifts for Christmas?”
“Yes!” The word spills out of my chest automatically. “For your youngest! After all, your two eldest have very well-paying jobs already.”
Mom starts laughing and for the first time in twenty-four hours, I do the same. I lean back into her and squeeze my arms tight around her, taking in her familiar scent. It’s enough to calm me down.
“So what you’re saying is that I don’t have to make Brooke choose between me and hockey?”
“Yes.” Mom kisses the top of my head.
“And what do I do if he leaves for the pros anyway?”
“Maybe give him the chance to help you come up with a plan.”
I mumble. “Well, that’s if he likes me too.”
“Oh, he does, Olivia. You’ve always been that boy’s world.”
CHAPTER 31
BROOKLYN
We must’ve crushed the other team’s spirits so badly last night, that tonight is an easy win. Almost embarrassing, even. A whopping seven goals to one they managed to score during a power play. Yet, it tastes funky. Liv wasn’t at the game and something’s clearly off with her. The last thing I want to do right now is celebrate.
“Tatum,” Coach calls me from the door of the locker room.
