Page 40 of Home Ice

Got any plans today?

I bite down on the inside of my cheek, refusing to get excited.

Me:

Nothing. It’s my day off.

Then I hurriedly add,

What about you?

Hawke:

Every day is my day off at the moment. I’ve actually asked Amelia if we can catch up.

There goes my hopes of hanging out with him.

Me:

That’s good. What are you going to talk about?

Hawke:

Well … I don’t think I want to sign Kasen over.

Me:

That’s a big call.

Hawke:

From what I can figure out, she’d probably be more likely to get custody than I am—I’ve done a lot of Googling since I got home last night. But I do have a solid case.

Considering how ready he was to bolt a few days ago, this feels like progress. It’s hard though. This situation is a mess. Kasen’s whole life is here, and his grandma has always been a huge part of it. But Hawke and Kasen both deserve the chance to have a relationship. At the end of the day, there really is no simple answer.

Me:

Do you want custody? Like what will that mean? You take him back to St. Louis to live with you?

Hawke:

I guess so. You said he’s got talent and I have the money and connections to help him go all the way.

Me:

Yeah, but as you saw yesterday, being a parent isn’t just about money. What about when your schedule is intense, and you’re traveling a lot through the season? Does Kasen go with you? Or does he stay in St. Louis by himself?

Hawke:

You don’t think I should do this?

Me:

Actually, I do. I think you should try. But before you go demanding to uproot Kasen’s whole life, I think you need a plan first.

Hawke:

I hate you.