Chapter 52
FIFTY-TWO
JONAH
“ Y our brother’s in the hospital again.”
Mom’s words hit me like a ton of bricks.
I don’t have to ask which brother. Despite the fact that two out of her three sons are hockey players, Keagan and I have both managed to stay out of relatively too much trouble when it comes to our time spent on the ice.
Our youngest brother, Luka, however, can’t say the same.
I don’t know, maybe it’s because of the fact that Luka has spent so much time in and out of medical facilities over the last few years that Keagan and I have both gone out of our way to avoid causing more stress for our parents.
My thoughts wander as Mom continues to speak.
She and Dad are gonna miss the playoffs, most likely going to miss my birthday as well, but it’s important that we all be there to support Luka while he’s in recovery.
It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. I sigh, flopping back on the bed of my dingy hotel room.
Never mind the fact that this was supposed to be my season.
My final season before the draft, my final playoff series before my high school career ends. My eighteenth birthday.
It’s not that I don’t love my brother, or that I’m not worried about him.
Of course I am. But dammit, the last three years have been consumed with Luka and his health issues, with Mom and Dad having to split their time between being there for Luka and trying to find time for me when they can.
Keagan didn’t have the same problem. He’d been out of the house and living his best life in the NHL for several years before this ever became an issue.
“Does Keagan know?”
She hesitates before answering, and her silence is deafening. No, she hasn’t told him yet. Wouldn’t want to stress out her precious NHL star when he’s on the road to winning the Stanley Cup.
“I . . . haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet. You know how he is, always so busy these days. I’m sure I’ll talk to him tomorrow after his game.”
“Mom, Keagan would want to know. You should call-”
“Oh honey, I”m so sorry. The doctors just came in and are wanting to speak with us. I’ll call you later to give you an update, okay?”
The line goes silent, and I drop the phone, letting it fall on the bed beside me.
Fan-fucking-tastic.