Page 19 of Actions and Reactions
“Good luck,” Lex sing-songs.
I let out a resigned sigh. I knew this was coming eventually, so I jump out of my float and swim toward the boat.
Dad’s feeling charitable today, apparently, because he lowers the staircase at the stern so I don’t have to climb up like a fish.
He starts it up without a word and then we’re off to the middle of the lake.
Dad’s “lake talks” are famous for a reason.
He had one with Lottie just two years ago, where he sat her down and talked to her about her injury and how it was time to hang up the skates for her own good.
Uncle Paul hadn’t managed to get through to her, so it was clearly a feat, and we all know it.
Lottie had already spent seven years in the NWHL, and she’d won all the damn trophies and medals and cups that one person could win. She was pushing herself for the sake of it, and they were afraid that if she wasn’t careful, she’d reach the point of no return—the one Si managed to reach with one slip of a foot.
Dad tells me to drop anchor only ten minutes later, then he sits in the captain’s chair and turns it around to face me. I understand his silent look—one raised eyebrow—and take a seat next to him.
“You really hurt your mother last night.” He crosses his arms, and I know he’s only doing that so he won’t flap them around when he gets going. It really diminishes the impact of what he says when he does, but still, pure self-righteousness fills my body at his words.
“It’s not my fault she can’t handle hearing the truth,” Isnap. “It’s not our fault that none of you can,” I add, and stand up to pace in the limited space.
“I know, son. I know.” His easy acceptance and calm voice puts out the fire of my anger in a second. “But you know I hate seeing your mom upset.”
“She’s a grown woman,” I protest, but it’s weak at best. I even look down at my nails, that’s how unconvincing I am in this moment.
“We wanted to respect your wishes,” he says after a long pause.
“Yeah, I know.” I sigh because...I do know that.
“And you were right last night, that was the wrong thing to do.” I snap my head up in surprise at his words, and eyes as green as mine meet me steadily. He stands and walks over. “Hindsight has taught all four of us that, so now we’re done respecting your wishes.”
I have to admit, if only to myself, that if it wasn’t for this damn trip, this damn scheme, I probably wouldn’t have had the guts to finally corner Silas.
God knows I did nothing when he showed up at the Pirates’ practice rink back in April.
Still, I think it’s important to ask, just so I can prepare myself.
“Do you have anything else planned for this week? Just so I can give Si a heads up?”
“I don’t think there were any specific activities planned, no,” Dad says, amused.
“Let’s hope they won’t make us perform trust falls in the living room, then,” I say, pretending I’m amused too.
“So, you... talked,” he says carefully. I really respect that he still won’t ask me the details, so I don’t bother sighing this time. It’s better if I just concede defeat and spill my guts.
“We did, on the plane ride. We both apologized, and I hope we have a shot of moving past it.” I leave it at that because I don’t think it’s wise to tell him about anything else we did yesterday.
I have no clue where Si stands on all that, and this time I’m not going to blurt shit out just for the hell of it. I’m going to play this cool and hope it works out if I just... wait.
“And last night? We didn’t even hear you get back.” I recognize the frown for what it is.
“I only took like two sips of your vodka, Dad,” I drawl, and roll my eyes at him. “It’s in my room, so I’ll give it back when we’re done here.”
“Good.” He nods once and finally uncrosses his arms. “That’s good. Having a tough conversation while drunk isn’t the best idea...” He trails off, but I nod anyway. I understand, and to show him that, I nod in the direction of the cabin.
“How about we head back?”
“Yes, Elle’s making meatloaf,” he says excitedly.
