“Hey, buddy! How’s it going?”
I drop down on the steps and brace my elbow on my knees as I say, “Good, thanks. You? How’re the kids? Your wife?”
“I’m breathing, wife and kiddos are good. Thanks for asking,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.
I’ve known Ralph as long as I can remember. He and my dad played hockey together when they were younger. He’s in his late forties and just started a family a couple of years ago. Said life was too hectic to bring a family into, and my dad was always so jealous of him. He would always say that Ralph was living the life, traveling all over the world, not giving a damn about anyone. I don’t know what changed, but now, Ralph seems like a different person, a little happier. While I feel that Ralph’s family is a blessing and something that was good for him, I think that to my dad, we’re a burden. I hate that I feel like that. I should know my dad loves me, but sometimes I don’t think he does.
“So the reason why I’m calling, bud, is that we have four teams that want to meet with you throughout the season. The Kings, Hawks, Rangers, and Lightning.”
“Good teams,” I say even though the Wings aren’t on the list. I really wanted the Wings, but I still have plenty of time to make them bite and consider me. I’d be an asset. I know that.
“Real good teams, especially since the Kings just traded one of their top players for a first-round pick. If the draft goes the way it should, you’ll go first, I think, or at least, I hope.”
“Sounds great to me.”
“Me too. So main thing, stay healthy, focus, and kick some ass, kid. The NHL is right there, waiting for you. Only nine months till we’re there.”
“I’m ready.”
“I know you are, and so am I. Then I’ll get Jayden and Jace in there and have all the Sinclair boys kicking some NHL ass. I’m hoping maybe we’ll get some bites and I can throw Jayden in this year, but I won’t unless I’m confident. We’ll see.”
I nod, excited for my and my brothers’ futures. We are going to rock the NHL. “Awesome. I’m excited.”
“Good, that’s what I want to hear. All right, bud, like I said, keeping kicking ass, please God stay healthy, and just do you. Be amazing.”
“Will do, thanks for calling.”
“Anytime, bud. I’ll see you Friday. Me and the family will be there for opening night.”
I smile. “See you then.”
Leaning on my elbows, I hang up and let out a long breath. This is good. The teams are good. Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, or Tampa. They are far from home but doable. I can do this. This is what I’ve been hoping for my whole life. This is my dream, and I am making it a reality. I want to be happy, ecstatic even, because not everyone has more than one team looking at them, but I’m nervous. Will my mom be okay without me? And also, will I be able to convince Claire to go with me?
They are the two most important people in my life, and I’m not sure how this is going to work. I know my mom will be supportive; she has known from the beginning that this could happen, but Claire… She didn’t sign up for this, but she knew. She had to know that I might leave Tennessee. Can we do long-distance? Will we? Or will she follow me? I know this is kinda crazy to think of now since I have nine months until the draft, but maybe I should find out before I fall even more for her. But then what? If she doesn’t want to go, do I break it off? That seems impossible to me. I’m completely invested in this girl, so really there is no other option. I should just let it happen. Everything will work out. We will be together because we love each other and we’re fighters. We’ll fight for us. Yeah, we’re good. And my mom, she’ll be solid. Everything will be fine.
Letting out a breath, as if I’m letting that thought go, I feel better. I know it will be fine. Leaning back on my hands, I look up at the sky and take in another breath before letting it out. I should go inside but it really is a pretty day. I wish that Claire didn’t have to work. It would have been a perfect day to lie around in the grass and be lazy. Deciding that I’ll do that and just imagine she’s here, I go and get a blanket before laying it on the grass and lying down. Closing my eyes, I let my breathing even out and relax. I let go of all my thoughts. The draft, my mom, Claire, everything, I just completely relax and before I know it, I’m out.
I wake to the sound of my phone ringing. Sitting up, I grab it to see that it’s my dad. My brows come up as I lean on my knees, hitting answer.
“Hello?”
“Jude?”
“Yeah?”
“Hey, it’s your dad,” he says and his voice is short.
“Yeah, I know. I have caller ID. What’s up?”
“Always the smartass, but I don’t have time to scold you on that,” he says and I roll my eyes. “Did you talk to Ralph today?”
“I did.”
“Good, the teams are okay, I guess.”
I hate the way he does that. Make everything sound like crap when this is the biggest opportunity in the world. The NHL is what every hockey player wants, and he says it like it’s nothing. Like I’m playing for a rec league.
“Yeah, great teams even.”