Page 33 of The Big Puck

“Chinese wall?”

“Never mind. I won’t tell him if you don’t tell him I’m having a hard time cheering him up. He’s a tough customer.”

“Tell me about it. The guy never smiles.”

“I feel sorry for him,” I admit, though it’s only a fraction of what I feel for him. Which I’ll never admit, especially not to Jason.

He snorts. “Forget about him. You should feel sorry for me and the rest of the team. He’s working us like dogs.” He pauses, and I know he has more to say. “I have to admit, though, he knows his stuff, and I can already see my wrist shot improving.”

“That’s fantastic, J. I always knew you could get it quicker.”

“Yeah. Sure. Coach says I should aim to be a sixty-goal scorer.” I hear the pride and excitement in his voice, and it makes me want to give Spencer a big hug of gratitude for putting it there. Jason’s always been confident but shy about big ambitions.

“You have it in you, big brother. I can’t wait to see it. The sooner, the better.”

He snorts again. “I’ll settle for thirty-five goals this season.”

“What about aiming high?”

“Now, you sound like Spence.”

The off-hand comment sends a surge of unexpected warmth through me. Whoa, baby. I have no right to that kind of surge.

“I have to go. What do you need from me to make your move go smoothly?”

He gives me a list of things to do, from hiring a mover to get his things from his apartment in Charleston, to getting his cable and internet turned on, and everything in between.

“You need to find a girlfriend soon, J, because taking care of you is a full-time job, and I have one now.”

He laughs. “Add finding a housekeeper to the list.”

“How about a personal assistant?”

“I’ll think about it. Depends on how personal she is.”

I screech with feigned horror at his dirty mind. “You’re such a hockey player.” It’s an old accusation from the few times I found myself treated to time in his team locker room as an adolescent. I was grossed out and fascinated at the same time. But I was there because Mom was gone, and Dad wasn’t up to it.

He’s laughing on his end of the line.

I’ve been taking care of my brothers for a long time, and we’re closer than most siblings. At times, I feel like a substitute mother, though that’s an impossible role.

“Love you, Lainey. And thank you.”

“Love you, too, J. Love being here for you.” We end the call, and the warm fuzzy feeling I get reinforces my decision to come north with him. It was the right choice no matter what else happens.

Even if I don’t succeed in helping Spencer, in making his life lighter as he so desperately needs.

* * *

Two bottles for Krissy and six errands for Jason later, I take a snack break. As I suck down my power shake while I play with Krissy in her high chair, I notice a small box filled with index cards next to the phone in the kitchen. He has a house phone. Adorable. Flipping through the cards because I don’t believe in the curiosity killing the cat deal—besides, don’t cats have nine lives?—I find Spence’s Aunt Hildie’s number and her number at the rehab center.

I call Aunt Hildie and introduce myself.

“What a delightful surprise to hear from you. Spencer told me you were a veritable baby whisperer.”

“Did he? He’s such a charmer.” My tongue is in my cheek, and I’m not sure if she realizes it or if maybe he’s a different person with her than he is with me.

She laughs. “You’re funny. I think I’m going to like you.”