Chapter 11: The Suspension

The letter from the league arrived on a Friday.

Sebastian was at home, icing his ribs from the fight, when his phone rang. It was his agent, Mark, and his voice was tight.

"The league just made their decision. You are getting five games. Frost is getting three. But that is not the bad part."

Sebastian sat up. "What is the bad part?"

"They are mandating a conflict resolution program. You and Frost have to complete it together. Two weeks. At a remote facility in the mountains. You will be coaching a youth hockey clinic."

Sebastian's heart stopped. "Together?"

"Together. Same cabin. Same ice. Same everything."

Mark kept talking, something about appealing, something about lawyers, but Sebastian was not listening. He was thinking about Julian. About the cabin. About two weeks alone with no one watching.

"Sebastian? Are you still there?"

"Yeah. I am here."

"Do you want me to fight this? I can make some calls."

Sebastian thought about it. He thought about Richard Frost, about the media, about all the eyes watching them. Then he thought about the lake. The stars. The way Julian looked at him when no one else was around.

"No," Sebastian said. "Do not fight it."

"Really?"

"Really. I will do the program."

Mark was quiet for a moment. "Okay. I will let the league know. They will send you the details."

Sebastian hung up and stared at the wall. His heart was pounding. He picked up his phone and texted Julian.

Sebastian: Did you get the letter?

Julian: Yes.

Sebastian: What do you think?

Julian: I think your father is going to lose his mind.

Sebastian: Richard is not my father.

Julian: Sorry. Habit.

Sebastian: Are you okay with this? Two weeks in a cabin together?

Julian: I have been waiting seven years to be alone with you. I am more than okay.

Sebastian smiled. He had never seen Julian say something like that. Maybe the suspension was making him braver.

Sebastian: Then let us go to the mountains.

Julian: Pack warm. It snows up there.

---

The next few days passed in a hurry.

Sebastian told his coach. Told his teammates. Louie gave him a look that said I know something is going on but did not ask. That was why Louie was his best friend.

He packed a bag. Clothes. Skates. His laptop. A book he had been meaning to read for years. He did not know what to expect at the cabin. He did not know if there would be cell service or internet or anything.

His mom called the night before he left.

"Sebastian, be careful."

"I am just going to a cabin, Mom."

"I am not talking about the cabin. I am talking about Julian. Richard is furious about this. He has been screaming at me for two days."

Sebastian's jaw tightened. "He should not be screaming at you."

"He is scared. He knows he is losing control. Of Julian. Of the team. Of everything."

"Good."

"Sebastian."

"Mom, I am not going to let him hurt Julian anymore. And I am not going to let him hurt you. If he screams at you again, you leave. You come stay with me."

She was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "I love you."

"I love you too."

She hung up. Sebastian stared at his phone. The weight of everything was pressing down on him. The team. The media. Richard. But underneath it all was something else. Something that felt like hope.

---

The morning of the departure, a black car pulled up outside Sebastian's apartment.

He grabbed his bag and walked out. The driver opened the door. Sebastian got in.

Julian was already in the back seat.

He was wearing a thick coat and a knitted hat, his dark hair sticking out underneath. His face was pale, his eyes tired, but he smiled when Sebastian sat down.

"Morning," Julian said.

"Morning."

The car pulled away from the curb. Neither of them spoke. The driver did not try to make conversation. He just drove, his eyes on the road, his radio playing soft music.

Sebastian looked out the window. The city faded behind them. Buildings turned to houses. Houses turned to trees. The road got narrower, the snow deeper, the sky wider.

Julian's hand was on the seat between them. His fingers were close to Sebastian's. Not touching. Close.

Sebastian looked at Julian. Julian was staring out the window, his jaw tight, his hands in his lap. He looked nervous. Scared, even.

"Hey," Sebastian said.

Julian turned.

"We are going to be okay."

Julian's face softened. "I know. I am not scared of the cabin. I am scared of what happens after."

"Then do not think about after. Think about now."

Julian nodded. He reached over and took Sebastian's hand. The driver did not notice. Or maybe he did and just did not care.

They drove into the mountains, hand in hand, the world falling away behind them.