บททั้งหมดของ Romance In The Hockey Pitch: บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

The walk back to the dorms felt longer than usual. My head was spinning with everything my mom had said. Adapt.That word felt like a weight around my neck. I kept thinking about how everyone in my life seemed to just bow down to whatever my father wanted. It made me feel small. I found Jax sitting on a stone bench near the center of campus. He was tossing stones into the grass, looking bored until he saw me. He stood up immediately when he saw the look on my face."Hey," he said, stepping toward me. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Or like you’re about to punch one. What happened?""I went home, my dad said he get me a guard," I said, my voice shaking. "I saw my mom. I told her about the guard, Jax. I told her it was crazy.""And?" Jax asked, his eyebrows pulling together."She told me to adapt," I spat the word out like it was poison. "She told me that’s just how he is and that I should just get used to it. Everyone just bends for him. My mom, the people at his office, and now me.

"Ten minutes, Liam," Mark said. His voice was like a hammer hitting a nail. "Your father does not like to wait. You should be sitting at your computer. You should have your notes ready. You know how these calls go."I didn't answer. I didn't even twitch. I turned the page of my book. The sound of the paper sliding was the only noise in the room.Outside in the hallway, I heard the heavy clunk of the soda machine. Then I heard Jax’s whistling. He was whistling a silly song from a cartoon we used to watch. It made me want to smile, but I kept my face flat. Jax came back into the room. He had two sodas in his hands. He walked right past Mark. He just squeezed through the gap."Here you go, Liam," Jax said. He popped the tab on the can. Ssssss. The sound of the bubbles was loud in the quiet room. He handed it to me."Thanks, Jax," I said. I took a big, slow sip. Mark’s face turned a dark shade of red. "That is enough. Jax, leave. Now. Liam has a private family matter to attend to."I loo

Mark sat in that chair for most of the day. He followed me to the dining hall for a lunch of plain grilled chicken and steamed broccoli. He sat three feet away while I tried to read for my philosophy class. He even stood outside the bathroom door when I brushed my teeth.Every time I looked at him, I felt a ball of anger growing in my stomach. By 9:00 PM, I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Mark was at the desk, typing a report on his phone. I knew exactly what he was writing. *Subject followed the diet. Subject attended all sessions. Subject showed no signs of rebellion.*"I’m going to sleep," I said, my voice sounding scratchy. "I’m exhausted from that early skate."Mark looked up, his face as blank as a piece of paper. "Good. Rest is part of the plan. I’ll be right outside the door. If you open it, an alarm will beep on my watch. Don't try anything stupid, Liam.""I just want to sleep, Mark," I sighed.I turned off the main light and crawled under the covers. I kept my c

Monday morning felt like a slow crawl. I sat in my first class, a small room for my Philosophy seminar. Usually, I loved this class. I liked talking about ethics and the way people think. But today, I couldn't focus on the book in front of me and this was because Mark was there. He sat in the very last row, leaning against the wall and just watching. Every time I turned my head or shifted in my seat, I could see him in the corner of my eye.The professor was talking about the idea of freedom. It felt like a joke. I looked at the chalkboard and then down at my desk. During the break between classes, I walked through the crowded hallways. I saw Jax near the library. He was talking to some guys from the track team. Our eyes met for just a second. I wanted to walk over but Mark. I stared straight ahead and went to my next class. Jax didn't move toward me either. By the time night fell, the dorm was quiet. I sat at my desk, staring at my lamp. It was 11:30 PM. I knew the service door tric

Mark still followed me to the library the day after, but he didn't stand right over my shoulder. He sat at a nearby table, leafing through a discarded sports magazine. He was still watching the doors, but he wasn't watching my every breath.It was time for the evening skate. After practice, the locker room was the usual mess. I was sitting on the bench, unlacing my skates, when I noticed Mark standing by the equipment cage. He looked a bit out of place .Jax skated off the ice last, his jersey soaked through. He sat down next to me and let out a long sigh. "Man, Swiss was like a brick wall tonight. I couldn't get anything past him.""He's in the zone," I said. "Maybe he had the tacos too."Jax laughed and looked over at Mark. "Hey, Mark! You ever lace them up? Or are you just a spectator?"Mark looked at his heavy black boots. "I played a little in high school. Third line. I was the guy they sent in when they needed someone to clear the crease.""The enforcer," Jax said, nodding. "I s