Ice Time Read Free

looked him up and down and then moved on without a word.
    The door opened. Again, those near the door scowled. Rocket waved. His mom and Maddy weaved through the tables. He gave them each a hug.
    “Sorry we’re late,” his mom said. “The subway has become ridiculous. Delays every day.”
    “Risa and I waited at least fifteen minutes for a train,” Maddy chimed in. She stuffed her backpack under the table and sat.
    “Looks like you only have twenty kilos of books in there,” Rocket said to her. “Slacking off?”
    “You slacked off at school enough for the both of us,” Maddy said.
    “Hey, I finished high school with the highest marks on my team,” Rocket protested, “and I have two university credits.”
    “At that rate, you’ll graduate when you’re eighty,” Maddy said.
    A waiter stopped at their table. “Have you decided?” she said.
    “Could you give us another minute, please?” Risa said.
    The waiter looked around the restaurant. “It’s kind of busy …”
    “Sorry, but we just sat down,” Risa said.
    “We fill up quickly around lunchtime …”
    “A coffee,” Risa snapped.
    “How do you want it?” the waiter said.
    “In a cup.”
    The waiter went to another table.
    Risa shook her head. “These snobby places are all the same. The waiters treat you like garbage if they don’t think you’re rich.”
    Maddy shook her head. Then she looked at Rocket. “So,
what’s up
?”
    That was Maddy for you — right to the point.
    “Well, I got in late last night,” Rocket said, “and I didn’t want to wake you guys up. I went for a workout this morning, a bit early—”
    “And you left a message to meet you here,” Maddy interrupted. “So, what’s up?”
    “Yeah, okay. Get on with it, right?” He paused. “I got sent down to the AHL, to a team called the Pinewood Racers.”
    His mother’s face fell. “Oh, Bryan, I’m so sorry. I know you were hoping for better news.”
    “I should be saying sorry to you,” he said. “The money isn’t bad. I’ve been offered a contract for around sixty grand a year. But … minimum contract in the NHL is over a half-million.”
    “Sixty thousand’s still pretty good,” Maddy said.
    “But it’s not NHL money,” Rocket said.
    “Where will you live?” his mother asked.
    “I have to find a place. I’ll have to pay for that, and for my own food.”
    “You’ll be making a lot more money than you did in junior,” Maddy jumped in. “You should be fine.”
    “But what about you guys? You’ll be stuck in that crappy apartment. And how are you going to pay for med school, Maddy? I can help out, way more than I have been, but making the team would’ve solved everything.” He slapped the table and shook his head. “I was so close. I could’ve paid your tuition and bought us a house.”
    His shoulders sagged, and he sat back in his seat, feeling overwhelmed. They all worked so hard, but there was never enough money. He’d really hoped to change that.
    “The coaches are on me about my defensive-zone coverage,” he said. “In the last scrimmage, I made a bad decision and went to the half-boards instead of …” He stopped, realizing it didn’t matter. “Well, anyway, I’ll be on a two-way contract in the AHL, so I still have a chance at making it. But that probably won’t happen this year. If ever. I’m sorry, Mom.”
    “Honey, we’ll be okay,” she said, patting his hand.
    “And you’re not paying for my university,” Maddy said. “I am.”
    “How are you going to do that?” Rocket said.
    “My scholarship, plus grants and loans. I managed to save a fair bit from my job this summer, too.”
    “It’s not enough,” Rocket said. “We’re a family, Maddy, and we help each other out. I know you’re not technically my sister, but … you are, so get over it.”
    The waiter appeared. “Here’s your coffee.” She plunked it on the table. A bit spilled onto the saucer.
    “Charming,” said Risa.
    “And here’s