I steal a glance at my mother, who’s sitting right next to me, but she seems just as engaged in the game as I am, so she doesn’t notice that I’m focusing a lot of attention on a single player.

I’ve been coming to a lot more of the Aces games this season than usual, so I’m surprised she hasn’t made a comment about it yet, but I’m not complaining. She probably just assumes I’m trying to spend more time with her and my father, and I’m fine with letting her think that.

The horn sounds, marking the end of the period and the start of intermission, leaving the Aces ahead. I breathe a sigh of relief as I slide back into my seat.

My mother chuckles at me as the crowd starts to leave the stands to use the restrooms and stock up on concessions during the break.

“You’re awfully invested in this season,” she says as if she was reading my mind. I don’t know what to say to that, so I just shrug at her, and she smiles. “It’s not a bad thing. It’s actually been really nice to have you here.”

“Yeah, I’m glad we’re getting to spend more time together too.”

It’s sweet that she feels that way, and part of me feels guilty for not being totally honest with her about the real reason I’ve been spending so much more time at the arena lately. But another part of me knows she would have a heart attack if I told her what’s really behind it—and I have no doubt that my father would eventually find out too.

I totally understand why my father has forbidden me from dating hockey players, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. And I know I’m being reckless and bending the rules in a way that would make him furious if he found out, but some part of me wants to think that my mother would understand a little more. I don’t dare tell her though.

“You know, we could do stuff like this more often if you weren’t burning the candle at both ends,” she continues, bringing my focus back to the arena.

I know she probably didn’t mean it the way it came out, but I still can’t stop a frown from flashing across my face.

My mother sighs and pats my hand. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I don’t mean to sound critical. I’m just worried about you overextending yourself and burning out.” She purses her lips thoughtfully. “Maybe you should think about giving up the yoga thing to focus on school. I know you love it, but school is so much more important.”