Page 44 of Don't Puck Him

23

WREN

“Look, Wren,” David mumbles.

My stepdad came to this game. Even better, he’s drunk, slurring his words and tripping over himself. He corners me in the underground access, heading from the arena bleachers to the concession stand via the locker rooms.

I try to sidestep him, but it’s no use. He pins me down outside the home team lockers, and as much as I struggle, I can’t get away. Even dead drunk, he’s a big brute.

He looks down at me, his nose inches from mine. “I don’t know what you’re doing on campus with these boys, but you’re ruining my Cash. His performance out there tonight is abom…abominable.” David burps.

I put my hand up over my nose. David reeks of stale bourbon and bad breath.

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about. I keep well away from Cash. Believe me.” I cough from the fumes.

“Well, that’s odd. ‘Cause practically the moment you moved in; Cash has been off his game. And now…now look at him. A disaster on skates. If I didn’t love your mother so much…” David lets out a loud burp and stumbles over his own feet.

It’s a big game tonight. Word’s going around scouts may be in the building. It’s all on the line for Cash and Hunter to get into the professional leagues.

I came to support Hunter, but seeing David at the arena, too, I tried to keep a low profile by sitting high in the bleachers. Not what Hunter would want. But I needed to hide.

My ruse didn’t work. David saw me even with his blurry, bloodshot eyes and hunted me down. Somehow in this blended family, everything becomes my fault when his precious boy screws up.

I turn my head away from this drunken monster but keep up the fight. “What are you really trying to say here,Dad?” I accentuate the dad moniker. I never call David that. I know it’ll bug him.

David stumbles back. His eyes are enormous. And for a moment, he’s speechless.

I’m surprised but relieved he’s giving me air. One lit match and this idiot would go up in flames he’s so soused.

My stepdad finally gets a hold of himself and remembers why he’s in my face. I had a chance to run, and I didn’t take it. Again, too late.

“Oh, I think you know what I’m saying, Wren. Where Cash is concerned, you better fly right. He has a chance at a real future as a pro player. I don’t want some snot-nosed kid who’s come into my – I mean, his – life to ruin his chances.”

“Oh, yeah, so what are you going to do about it? I’m not your real kid. What I think you can do is zilch. So bug off, old man. And leave me alone. I don’t give a shit about your precious Cash. I can assure you.”

David’s face fires red. He stumbles toward me, eyes like daggers.

I call out. “Hunter! Cash! Anyone! Help me!”

The sound echoes in the underground tunnel and gets back to the rink where the game has already ended. My cries fill the arena. Hunter and Cash jerk their heads, race to the boards, and run on their blades, following my cries for help.

Cash pulls David away. I’m both relieved and surprised that he’d do anything but laugh at my misfortune. Hunter wraps his arms around me to protect me from any blows.

“Dad, what the hell are you doing?” asks a shocked Cash, bracing his drunken father against the cement wall.

“Uh, nothing, nothing, son. I was just…”

“Just what? Scaring Wren to death? Why go after her? If you’re pissed at my performance tonight, go after me. Go after someone your own size.” Cash presses his chest up against this father’s, and I see the old man’s bravado melt.

Hunter leaves me down the hall and runs up to David. He takes him by the collar and touches noses with the guy. “You touch one hair on Wren’s head and you’ll have to answer to me, Mr. Anderson. You’re Cash’s dad, and Cash and I go way back, so there’s loyalty to you. But that loyalty stops if you so much as look funny at Wren ever again. You get me?”

David silently nods and lowers his head. Hunter drops his arms and walks back to me, holding me tight.

The bully backs down.

Whatever this is, it stops.

I breathe a sigh of relief, but I’m confused as hell.

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