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“Maybe we can touch on it briefly and then promise to circle back to it after the holidays?” I suggested, glancing to Levi for confirmation.

“Sounds good,” Levi said.

“Great.” Cam jotted something down. “Any questions before we kick off?”

For this special episode, we were mostly going to focus on our holiday traditions and what hockey meant to our family. It was going to be a bit more personal, but it was something our listeners had been requesting. Mom attended a lot of our games. They knew about her history, and they wanted to hear more from her. I thought it was cool, and I was thrilled to give my mom a chance to share her story.

I glanced to Mom, but she shook her head. “I’m good.”

“All right, then,” Cam said then counted us down.

Levi and I went through our usual intro, and then we welcomed Mom to the show. She was a good sport—funny and insightful, honest but also kind. Despite knowing the history, I was still in awe of all the changes that had occurred in the sport in her lifetime. And I got emotional when she told a story I’d never heard about when she’d tried out and made a men’s team, only to be cut when they realized she was a woman.

When it came time to choose our “Hottie of the Week,” Levi and I both yelled “Mom” at the same time. She was a pioneer in the sport of women’s hockey, and while I knew she was so proud and excited about all my accomplishments, I could only imagine how bittersweet it was. She hadn’t had the same opportunities, but she’d been just as skilled. And she’d had the drive and determination to accomplish just as much as me, if not more.

It was a reminder to seize and appreciate every opportunity because I was lucky to have them. And it made me even more determined to go to LA for the summer. Not because it would mean spending time with Carson, but because of what it could mean for women and the future of the sport.

We wrapped up, and I hugged Mom, thanking her for sharing her experiences with us. Cam wished us all a merry Christmas then signed off.

“Thanks. That was fun.” Mom stood. “I’m going to check on the game, but I’m sure you two have a few things to catch up on.” Mom gave Levi’s shoulder a squeeze as if in encouragement. Then she headed out to the kitchen, shutting the bedroom door quietly behind her.

“Does she have ESP?” I hooked my thumb over my shoulder, gesturing to where Mom had disappeared. “Because I wanted to get your opinion on something.”

Levi chuckled, though there was a nervous edge to it. “There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about too.”

“Okay.” My stomach clenched, and I hated that I was nervous. Levi and I had always been honest with each other, and I couldn’t get a read on his tone.

“You first. What’s up?” He jerked his chin toward the ceiling.

First, the easy part. “The PWHL and NHL approached me about a collaboration they’re planning, and I’m considering it. It’s an extension of the Culture Initiative, but it would take place during the off-season, and it would mean spending the summer in LA.”

“It sounds like something you’d love, especially now that Bryn’s pregnant. Weren’t you planning a longer visit this summer anyway so you could be there when the baby’s born?”

“Yeah…” I hedged.

“You’d get paid, right?”

“Oh yeah.” It was a generous amount. And more importantly, they’d offered Carson and me the same amount. “Plus, the NHL arranged for me to use the Hawks’ facilities for my off-season training. I’d also get a housing allowance,” I continued, feeling the need to justify this to my brother. “Though, I’d probably just stay at Georgia’s since she’s going to be traveling with Cece this summer.”

“Sounds perfect.” He grinned, leaning forward so his elbows rested on his thighs. “So what’s the catch?”

I rolled my lips between my teeth. This wasn’t a catch to me, but it could be an issue for Levi. “Well,” I said, trying to ease into it when I should’ve just gone for it. “It means I’d be working closely with Carson since he was tapped to be the representative for the NHL.”

“Not surprising. He’s become the poster boy for this culture shift, which is ironic. But whatever.” It was the calmest I’d ever heard my brother speak about his former teammate and best friend.

“Ironic in what way?” I asked, treading carefully. I knew this was a sensitive topic for my brother, and I didn’t want to push him on it any more than I already had.

“As I’ve said before—” Levi leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Carson says one thing and does another.”

“Right, but from everything I’ve seen, he’s been nothing but honest in his words and actions.”

“Because you’ve seen that much of him?” Levi scoffed. “At your twice-monthly online meetings or whatever?”

“No, I—” I stopped myself, scared to admit this to Levi. “No, but…” I sank down on the edge of the bed. “That’s just it. Over the past few months, I’ve sort of become friends with him. We run in a lot of the same circles, and⁠—”

“I know you think you know him,” Levi said, cutting me off. “But trust me, Carson is a master at manipulation. In the end, he will always do what’s best for himself, regardless of the consequences to anyone else.” Levi didn’t sound upset; he was merely stating a fact.

I was used to his rage when anyone mentioned his former teammate, not this calm resignation. It had only been a little over a month since Thanksgiving, and even then, Levi had held so much anger toward Carson. I wondered what had changed.