Slipping Through My Fingers - Nathan MacKinnon

Chapter 7

Sixteen years old

They didn't have it. Not that time.

Those two phrases kept repeating themselves in your mind as you watched the clock signal the last minute of the game. Right under it was the score, signaling 3-0 for the opposing team, and you inhaled a long, shaky breath.

Looking down at your phone, you saw a message from Beth.

Beth: how did it go?

You: lost 3-0

The loud sound of the horn caught your attention, signaling the end of the game. Andrew skated off the ice quickly, gloves rolled into fists as he breathed harshly. He wasn't satisfied.

The Glaciers had been hitting a rough path for the past season, putting under their belt a series of losses that put their other seasons to shame. They had been a winning team for years, and yet something was wrong with them. And it was affecting Andrew.

You waited for him at the entrance of the arena, waving at the other parents as you watched them talk, their shoulders slumped, faces grim.

If you had to be honest, never in your life did you think you'd be so affected by a sport. Throughout your years spent on planet Earth, you had witnessed World Cups, multiple Olympic Games, and competitions of your own. Your teams could lose, and you'd feel a tinge of sadness, nothing more.

Standing right there, at the entrance of the arena, you felt like your legs were about to give in. Your stomach was sinking, and the smile you swore was always on your face was struggling to come out.

Seeing Andrew lose - more like seeing how it affected him and his best friends - was leaving you restless, almost depressed. You couldn't even imagine how your son felt.

"Mac! You joining us?"

The nickname that had been given to Andrew at the start of the season rang loudly inside the walls of the arena, snapping you out of your thoughts. It came from Jacob's mouth, whose arm was thrown over their goalie's shoulders. Andrew's best friend had a smile on his face, almost as if the loss didn't affect him, but you knew better.

"No." Andrew grumbled, jaw tense as he walked past you, towards the exit. You sent Jacob a sad smile, squeezing his shoulder softly before following your son outside. His tall frame was waiting by the car, sandy hair still slightly damp from his shower.

You didn't talk much as you drove home, Andrew's eyes almost lost as he looked out of the window into the dark of the night. He needed some time to think, to let the anger inside him fade.

He was out of the car before you could even park properly inside your garage, his back disappearing behind the door that lead inside the house before you could even notice it. You tried not to sigh loudly, even if the ache in your chest was begging you to.

Shutting off the car, you sat inside it for another second, clearing your mind before entering your house. The living room was silent, the kitchen's lights still off. It almost looked as if no one was home.

Entering the hallway, you noticed the laundry room's lights were on, some light shuffling coming from inside it. You headed back towards the kitchen, putting on the kettle and grabbing two mugs - yours and Andrew's.

You opened the cabinet on your left, grabbing two chamomile tea bags and putting them inside your mugs. After the boiling water was poured, you sat on the counter, waiting for any signs of Andy to come back.

You checked your phone another time, noticing Beth had sent you a sad emoji. You opened your chat with Nathan, being close enough to actually text him about the loss and let him know how Andrew was feeling about it.