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When he was sober, he was a really good dad, and that justworse Because I can’t hate hi…" I trail off, too afraid of Jeff’s reaction Coughing, I fish another cigarette out of the pack and head for the door "Let’s talk outside for a sec"
Athe nicotine will bring me a much-needed dose of confidence Jeff eyes h
"Give hts up, I exhale a cloud of smoke and force ent in New York This really big sports agent" I hesitate "He thinks I’ll have no trouble signing with a teaency"
Jeff’s features instantly harden
"That couldbonus And a contract Money, Jeff" Desperation tightens e, a full-time nurse for Dad Maybe even pay off the house if the contract is big enough"
My brother barks out a derisive laugh "How big of a contract do you think you’ll actually land, John? Let’s be serious here" He shakes his head "Look, we talked about this If you wanted to go pro, you should’ve gone the Major Junior route But you wanted the college degree You can’t have it both ways"
Yeah, I did choose the degree Because I knew damn well that if I picked the alternative, I’d never leave the league, and that wouldover my brother They would’ve had to pry that hockey stick out of
But now that the ti near, I’m terrified
"It could be a lot of money," I mumble, but my feeble atte his head
"No way, Johnny We had a deal Even if you signed with a teaet all thathere in order I don’t have time, okay? The second they slap that diploma in your hand, I’m out of here"
"Oh, co to skip town at the drop of a hat?"
"Kylie and I are leaving for Europe next May," Jeff says quietly "We’ll be gone the day after your graduation"
Surprise sla this for a long time I already told you--ant to travel for a couple of years before we get married And then ant to spend sos"
My panic intensifies "But that’s still your plan, right? Living in Hastings and working here?"
That was the deal we’d struck after I graduated high school Jeff e, and then I take over for a few years before he and his fiancée settle down in this area, at which point he’ll run the shop again and I’ll be free