Page 26 of The Long Game

Colton whimpered, then shoved Jack hard enough that he had to let go, staggering on his skates while Colton tore across the ice and threw himself against the locked Zamboni doors. A member of the ice crew stood on the other side of the glass, looking between Colton and Jack with alarm.

“Open up,” Colton cried, hitting the doors with his fists. “Please.”

Jack skated toward Colton but stopped a few feet away.

Colton rattled the doors again, tears streaming down his face. “Please let me out,” he begged.

Jack shook his head at the ice crew to be sure they didn’t unlock the doors, then skated close enough to block everyone else’s view of Colton’s face. The arena had gone quiet as everyone turned to see what was going on.

Jack kept his voice low and calm. “Colton, please. Can you tell me what’s wrong? I want to help you.”

Colton was panting now, sweat dripping down his neck from beneath his helmet. Jack was afraid Colton would pass out if he didn’t calm down.

Jack heard the slice of approaching skates on the ice and waved his hand by his hip. Whoever it was understood, halting their approach.

“Colton, I promised this would be a safe space. I meant that. If it’s not, you can tell me why and I swear I’ll do whatever I can to fix it.”

Colton wouldn’t look at Jack. “Youlet him in,” he whispered.

“Who?” Jack asked, searching the arena again. He found Grady and Christian hovering ten feet away. The other adults had herded the rest of the kids to the far end of the ice and had them engaged in something other than gawking. The stands were empty.

Jack slid closer to Colton. “I don’t know what’s scaring you, but I swear to god I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. I know every single adult in this arena and can vouch for them.”

Colton spun and grabbed Jack’s fleece in his gloved hands, his helmet almost catching Jack on the chin.

Jack felt instinctive panic at being grabbed, but tamped it down. Colton wasn’t trying to hurt him, he was trying to protect himself.

“He’s behind you,” Colton whispered. “I need to leave before he sees me.”

Jack glanced back, confused.

“Christian?”

Colton’s head snapped up, almost clipping Jack’s chin again, and looked at Jack like he was an idiot. “No. Christian is my friend.”

Jack nodded. He knew Christian and his fathers volunteered at Pathways, and was pleased Colton had identified a potential ally. What didn’t make sense was that Colton was, therefore, absolutely terrified ofGrady.

Who was a cop.Damn.“Colton, are you in trouble? Legal trouble?”

Colton shook his head. “No. I don’t think so, at least. I mean—”

“No, that’s okay, you don’t have to say anything else. And I will keep my promise that you’re safe and I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, okay? But can you tell me why you don’t want Sergeant McDonnough to see you?”

Colton gulped, fresh tears running down his face, his grip on Jack getting tighter.

“I don’t understand why he'd be here. Why is he in Moncton?”

“Why wouldn’t he be?” Jack asked, thoroughly confused.

Colton took a deep, shuddering breath.

“Because he’s my brother.”

Grady didn’t knowwhat the hell was going on, but Jack’s expression alone told him something was very wrong. His alarm grew when Jack looked over his shoulder at him with wide, shocked eyes.

Jack didn’t, however, signal that Grady should come any closer, so Grady held firm. “Any idea what’s up?” he asked Christian in a low voice.

“No,” Christian said, clearly distressed. “Colt was doing fine, then he just freaked out and tried to take off. I don’t get it. He’s a pretty chill guy, usually.”

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