Page 42 of Breakaway

“I guess that’s one way to look at it.”

“Hon, remember, everything happens for a reason. There’s a reason you’re back in Wilkes Barre. Look for the lesson. There’s always a lesson.”

He wanted to cry out, “What could possibly be the reason to tear me away from Morgan?” But he knew better than to speak like that to his grandmother.

“You miss Morgan, huh?”

“Sure do.”

“Well, you never know what will happen. You were called up once; it can happen again. So I wouldn’t close the door on that relationship yet, if you’re not ready, I mean.”

“Oh, I’m not ready. I guess we’re going to try this long-distance, but it’s kinda miserable already.”

“Well, I will get to work on a care package to cheer you up.”

“Thanks, Grams. I’m tired and have to be at the rink early tomorrow. So I’ll talk to you later?”

“Sure, hon, love you.”

“Love you too, Grams.”

After hanging up the phone, Travis thought about what the other reason could have been that he was sent back down, if it wasn’t Morris’s retaliation. He hated thinking that Morris could’ve done such a thing. But what lesson could Travis take away from this? He had always worked hard to be the best and to get noticed, but he would have to work harder.

Or maybe the lesson had to do with Morgan. In Pittsburgh, he got to be himself. She liked him for him, not because he played hockey, not because he acted like all he cared about was partying and scoring—off the ice.

Learning how to be in a real relationship and to be himself, maybe that was the lesson here.

He had to get back to Pittsburgh. Really showing up on the ice and being the best hockey player he could be was what would make him stand out. Getting down on himself for being back here was the easy part. Figuring out how to change that would be his mission.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Morgan

It was five thirty and Morgan was exhausted. Travis was on his way back to Wilkes Barre, and she was in no mood for a big discussion. She held her breath as she entered the house. She held tight to the hoodie that Travis had insisted she keep. His scent comforted her, especially as she knew her uncle was home. She had prepared for the confrontation the whole way home. And maybe hashing it out was warranted. She had left and hadn’t come home with no call.

The argument they’d had was still fresh in her mind, as well as the hurtful things she had said. She owed Uncle Sam an apology.

The house was filled with the aroma of lasagna, her uncle’s specialty. But her stomach flopped with sadness. Travis was gone, and she didn’t know when she would see him again. Maybe she should’ve taken Travis up on his suggestion that she go with him. But she knew that wasn’t the solution. She was ready to move out on her own, but to move right in with Travis was not a smart decision. Her secret apartment savings fund was growing; she surely had enough for first and last month’s rent.

“Nice to see you, Morgan,” Sam greeted her, as she walked by the kitchen.

“Hey.” She regretted her lame response immediately. She bowed her head, as hot tears filled her eyes.

“I made dinner,” he said with a nervous smile. “Look, Morgan, I’m sor—”

She didn’t let him finish his thought before she ran to him and hugged him. “No, I’m sorry. I was so mean to you. I know you’re just trying to look out for me.”

“Oh, kiddo.” He hugged her tight, which only made the tears fall faster. “Please don’t think you have to say sorry to me. I’m the one who needs to apologize. I was just trying to look out for you, but I went about that all wrong. Man, your mom would kick my ass if she heard the way I spoke to you.”

“But I am sorry.” She pulled away so she was able to look him in the eye. “What I said to you. It was uncalled for. I was angry, but that doesn’t make it okay. You don’t treat family like that, no matter how mad you are. Plus, leaving and not coming home, that certainly didn’t show very much responsibility on my part.”

He half-smiled. “I had an idea where you were, and at least I knew you were safe there.”

There was something about the tone in his voice when he said those words. She was convinced that he had nothing to do with sending Travis back down.

“It wasn’t you, was it?”

“What wasn’t me? The lasagna? You know it wasn’t your aunt Trina,” he teased.