“That’s the offer. Look it over and let me know what you think.”
I’m tempted to shove it back at him. Probably would if it weren’t for my sister. I move my cup and slide the folder closer. Score one for Gabe.
“When do you need an answer?”
He rises from his chair. “The sooner the better. Practice starts in two weeks. If you don’t want to make the commute to Sarabella, you can stay with me and Olivia until you find something local.”
I snort. “Did you clear that with her? Aren’t you two expecting?”
His grin widens. Fatherhood looks good on Gabe. Real good. “Yeah, another girl. But not for a few months yet. We haven’t started on the nursery, so the room is yours if you need it.”
Gabe stops next to my chair and rests a hand on my shoulder. “This is a great opportunity, Luke. A chance to go after your dream again.”
The unspoken message in his tone is clear. He had to give up his dream to go national, and he doesn’t want me to miss my shot. A curt nod is all I can manage. I press my lips together but keep my head down, waiting for him to leave.
How can I tell him I’m not sure I want it anymore? The idea of returning to the ice makes me queasy to think about it.It’s my fault my mother isn’t around today because of the game. That’s too much baggage to carry back into the game.
After a minute or so, I glance over my shoulder to make sure he’s gone. I finger the corner of the folder, then flip it open and start reading.
My options are limited at this point, and Kinsley deserves to go after her dream now.
Even if it means I have to live my nightmare.
My phone vibrates in the cup holder of my SUV. Kinsley’s name shows on the Car Play screen. I tap the accept button.
“Hey, Kins, what’s up?”
There’s a brief pause before her voice fills the cabin, which spikes my pulse. Since we lost Mom, anytime Kinsley calls, my first thought is that she’s in trouble. Not sure why I do that, but I seem to always expect the worst.
“Kins? You there?”
“Yeah, sorry.” She sounds breathless.
“What’s wrong?” My tone sounds more forceful than I intend, but I’m on pins and needles here.
“Sheesh, relax, big bro. Just needed to catch my breath from sprinting across campus. This place is freakin’ huge.”
I’m glad she can’t see my head-shake, eye-roll combo. The one she calls me out on any time she gets the chance.
“Maybe catch your breath first next time?” I bump my turn signal on with a little more force than necessary.
She snickers. “There he is, The Lukinator.”
When Kinsley turned thirteen, she started calling me that anytime I got in her face about something. She entered adolescence with a ferocity that rivaled the Kardashians, and Mom needed help with her. I don’t know if she learned her sarcasm from me or if I got it from her. Either way, shewins.
“Just get on with it, already.”
She blows out a noisy breath, creating a static sound. “I hate to ask, but I need money for books.”
“I thought we took care of those at the beginning of the semester.”
“These are additional recommended readings for that investigative class I’m taking in the evening.”
“Sounds so official.”
“Nah, just intense.”
After I pull into our driveway, that familiar heaviness creeps in. The roses Mom planted still have some pink blooms, and several of the hanging baskets of orchids have flowers on them. I can picture Mom standing on the porch, misting her orchids or clipping roses from her bushes in the yard, enjoying the subtle drop in humidity that early fall brings. It’s all a reminder of the past, and a happier time.
