On the Ice (Stick Side, #1)

by Amy Aislin

“Were you trying to keep it a secret?” Mitch completed his outfit of jeans and a blue T-shirt with his favorite Vermont Flannel and turned slowly to face Yano. “Who else knows?”

I think she partly, if not mostly, blamed him for her harsh living conditions. I think she’s afraid you’re going to turn into him. That you’re going to forget about everyone who loves you in your journey to the NHL.”

And that's an excuse for HER to be abusive?????

“No,” his dad insisted. “No, your grandmother was much, much worse. Constantly belittling your mother, finding fault with every little thing she did.” He sighed and scratched his chin. “Your mother wasn’t always the way she is now.

Like her grandmother, you mean???

He’d always had food in his belly and a roof over his head. He hadn’t been abused. Well, except for verbally, by his mother. That was the kicker, the subtle digs and scorn that had become not-so-subtle as he got older.

“Do you ever do puzzles?” Alex asked. “Sure,” Mitch said, carefully cutting into red felt. “I’m doing a twenty-four piece one right now called Why Are We Doing Crafts When We Could Be Making Out Instead?”

“There’s nothing subtle about you.” “I can be subtle.” “You’re as subtle as an elephant.” “Rude,” Mitch said. “Elephants are smart, though. And even the lions get out of the way of an elephant stampede. Talk about a charming animal. You know what, I take it back. It’s not rude. I’m flattered. Elephants are fierce.”