After losing his childhood best friend, Rudy joins his university's hockey team to heal. But as he clashes with the team captain and faces unexpected challenges, Rudy must decide if he's ready to open his heart or fall victim to his own fears and pa...
I open the plastic bag containing my medication and pull out the large blue pill, staring at it. Is there even a reason to keep taking these if I'm not getting better? I toss it back into the bag and trade it for two pain pills. Gentle hands touch my face, and I glance at Rue next to me. I snake an arm around his waist as the car jolts a little.
"You're cold," he says, caressing my cheek.
"I don't feel cold," I reply. He pulls down on my right eye and rubs the skin around it.
"Did you sleep last night?" he asks.
"Yeah," I lie.
"We've arrived at the rink" Rudy's mom announces.
"Thanks for the ride, Mom," we both say as we step out.
"You boys don't be out too late," she says, smothering Rudy with affection.
"Mom, you're going to kill me," he protests.
"I love you," she says, kissing his cheeks. She then ruffles my hair and gives me a hug. "Two boys are better than one," she chuckles.
"Dexter?" I hear my mother call.
"Let's sit over here," he says, guiding me to the right. We sit down, and he ducks my head into his armpit. His deodorant smells like vanilla and flowers.
"Lily said they were okay with you staying at my place. Did something else happen?" he asks.
I shake my head and keep my eyes on the ground. Rue blows on the nape of my neck, making me shiver. I look up at him, and he lowers my mask to peck my lips three times.
"Tell me," he requests.
"They tried to force assisted living," I say quietly.
"That's the place you were trapped in?" he asks.
"Mm-hmm. It was really bad there, Rue. I can't go back," I say, gripping his sweats. Just the memories from that place haunt me at night. The small room and the sleepwalkers in the hallway. They'd always have to restrain them to the beds because they became violent at certain hours.
"I'll take care of you, Dex. I'll do my best," Rue reassures me, rubbing my side.
"I only need you, Rue," I reply.
"Rudy, if you know what's best for him, you'd take him to assisted care!" my mom shouts. Whispers follow right after. Why did she yell that? My father pulls her back down to prevent her from yelling again.
"Don't shake, Dex," Rue's hold on me tightens.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. I sit up, and he pulls out a large bag of potato chips.
"Good thing we have clearance; otherwise, they would've taken these," he shakes the bag.
"For someone so small, you eat a lot," I chuckle.
"I plan on sharing this bag with you," he tilts it toward me. I grab a chip and place it gently on my tongue. The lights turn off, and one spotlight comes on.
This is Lily and Ace's tryout for the national team. I'm excited. They're posing gracefully, waiting for the music to start. "La Parfum de Fleurs," the piece is announced in an angelic voice. I sigh in contentment as I watch them perform. Their grace is incredible; they move like birds.
"Wow," the crowd gasps at a small jump. "Wait..." I sit up. No way, could it be?
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