Chapter Sixteen #2
We don’t have much time to dwell on the news. The rest of the team is here, and I have a job to do. We have a game to win, and that’s what I need to focus on.
Redemption feels good.
The Bears beat the Washington Bolts tonight, and after what happened at of our last game, the win was necessary.
Despite getting the victory, I felt like I was in a fog for most of the night.
My mind kept drifting back to the conversation with Coach Denton and the possibility of a trade.
But I somehow managed to push everything aside and give the game my all.
For sixty minutes, playing hockey needed to come first. But now that the game is over, I’m consumed with everything else.
As soon as I get back to my hotel room, I call my parents. They're the only people I can talk to about this right now. I know they'll let me vent without judgement, and more importantly, I know they won't repeat a word of it.
My dad answers on the second ring.
"Hey, kid," he says. "Your mom and I were just reading through the game highlights. Nice win."
I smile to myself. "Thanks, Dad."
"Your mom's here too."
"Hi, Mom," I call.
"Hi, sweetie,” she says, her voice full of concern. "We weren't expecting to hear from you tonight. What's going on?"
Sometimes I wonder if my mother has a sixth sense. She always seems to know when something's wrong before anyone says a word. It might be a mom thing, or maybe it's just her.
I sit on the edge of the bed and stare out the hotel window. "Well, I got some news today, and I need to talk to someone about it."
"What kind of news?" Dad asks after a few seconds.
I take a deep breath and explain how Coach Denton brought me in, the rumors, and the possibility that I could be traded in the very near future.
When I finish, they’re both quiet for a few seconds.
“Mom, Dad—are you still there?” I ask.
Finally, my dad breaks the silence.
"The Golden State Seals," he says thoughtfully. "They play a few hours from here. You would be back on the west coast.”
Of course I’ve thought about this. Being closer to my family would be nice. After years of being so far away, having them within driving distance instead of a cross-country flight would be a huge change.
"I know," I say quietly.
"You've always been open to playing for different teams," Mom reminds me. "Has that changed?"
I pause to gather my thoughts. "Not exactly. I'm just struggling with the idea of leaving North Carolina right now."
"That’s understandable," Mom says. "You've had a great experience with the Bears. I’m sure leaving the team will be difficult, but you’ll stay in touch with them.”
"Yeah." I lean back against the headboard. "That's part of it …”
"Okay, what’s the other part?" Dad asks.
"Well—I've met someone.”
"Oh?" Mom exclaims. "When did this happen? Who is it?”
Thinking of Isabella brings a smile to my face like always. "Her name is Isabella Martin. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met before.”
“Ah, now I understand why you’re not happy about a trade,” Dad says knowingly. “She must be very special?”
"She's incredible, beautiful, smart…” The words describing Isabella keep popping in my head. She’s all these things and more.
“We've grown very close in a short amount of time. I’m sure it sounds crazy, but I don't think I've ever felt this way about anyone. We can talk for hours and never run out of things to say. We have a similar sense of humor, the same values, and she really understands me.”
I pause, realizing how much it sounds like I’ve fallen for Isabella. And maybe I have.
"She makes everything feel easier," I continue, not giving either of them a chance to speak. "Even when things are stressful. For example, after that awful game the other night, she knew exactly what to say to calm me down. Normally I would’ve been up all night replaying the game, wondering what I could’ve done differently.”
"Oh, Austin," Mom says warmly. "This is great news. I’m so happy for you."
"Have you told her how you feel?" Dad asks.
I shake my head, even though they can't see me. "Not exactly.”
“Does she know about the potential trade?” my mom asks.
“No.” I pause. “I don’t want to say anything until I know for sure. Plus there’s more to our situation that makes it unusual. Isabella doesn’t live in North Carolina. She’s staying with her parents right now. We were only going to have a few months together before she returns home.”
“Oh wow, and now you might be the one leaving town,” my mom says.
“Exactly.”
“Where does she live?” Mom asks.
“She actually lives in LA.”
“So you’d both be in California?” Dad says. “It’s still long distance, but at least it’s the same time zone.”
“Yes, I’ve thought about that,” I say. “I guess it’s just difficult to think about leaving while we’re still learning about each other. I thought there would be more time, and I was looking forward to it.”
It’s quickly becoming clear that one way or another Isabella and I live two lives in different places and it’s inevitable that we won’t be close to one another, at least for now. If we want to give this a chance, both of us need to be willing because it will take some effort.
“So this change wouldn’t just effect your career, there are real feelings involved,” my mom points out.
“Yes.” Admitting this out loud feels like a huge breakthrough.
“Do you feel like you could handle a long-distance relationship?” she asks.
It would be hard, but I know Isabella is worth it. She’s the most amazing person I’ve ever met.
“I think I could, if she’s willing,” I answer. “She understands how my career works, and I understand hers.”
“Then you just need to be honest,” my mom says. “Don’t wait until it’s too late to talk about this. What if they say you need to leave tomorrow? Or the next day?”
She has a point. If the call comes, I’ll have to go. A new organization isn’t going to give me extra time to sort out my personal life.
“Thanks for listening,” I say. “I knew talking to you two would help.”
“We’re always here if you need us,” my dad reminds me.
“We’re so proud of you,” my mom adds. “Never forget that.”
I have the best parents. “I know. Love you guys.”
“We love you too.”
I set my phone on the nightstand and stare up at the ceiling. The room is quiet, but my mind isn’t.
I keep running through every possible scenario. There’s still a chance the trade won’t happen. Rumors circulate all the time in professional sports, and plenty of deals fall apart before they ever become official. Maybe in a few days this will all blow over and I’ll remain with the Bears.
But there’s also a very real possibility that I’ll be packing my bags sooner rather than later.
The Seals are one of the top organizations in the league.
They have some of the best coaching, a huge fan base, and a history of success that every player dreams of being part of.
From a career standpoint, it’s the kind of opportunity we all dream of.
Being traded there could be a huge milestone in my career.
A few months ago, I wouldn’t have questioned it. Hockey always came first, no questions asked. But things feel different now. Hockey isn’t the only thing that matters to me anymore.
Now there’s Isabella. I’m sure people will call me crazy, but I can’t deny how I feel. There’s a level of excitement I feel every time I see her name show up on my phone. The way she makes even ordinary moments feel special and the future I’ve started imagining whenever we’re together.
For the first time, or maybe ever, I can see the possibility of something real. And it isn’t just about having fun—it’s about the future I see with her. This is why the thought of leaving her behind twists my stomach into knots.
I sigh, reminding myself that I don’t have concrete details yet. Maybe we’ll still have time and we can spend Halloween together. Or maybe this is the first real test we’ll need to go through.
If this is the case, then my mom is right. I need to talk to Isabella about this. She deserves to know what might be ahead, even if neither of us has any control over it.
As difficult as the conversation might be, I know I can’t put it off for long.
Because if there’s one thing, I’m certain of, it’s that Isabella is worth fighting for. And if we can navigate these possible challenges, I truly believe we have a chance to make this work.