Page 5 of Boards & Betrayal

“Kara Paige,” Saint said, barely able to hide his smirk.

Fucking press. Even if it was Crestwood press, it was still a pain in the ass. “Send her in.”

Kara walked in like she owned the place, all confidence and sharp edges. She had that curious look about her—sharp eyes that missed nothing, blonde hair perfectly tousled, and an air of relentless determination. Saint gave her a long look before he stepped out, closing the door behind him.

I rolled my eyes. Clearly, those two were fucking.

“What’s this about?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.

“Nice to see you too, Morgan.” She gave me a once-over and then smiled like she had a secret. “Congratulations on the Lifetime Achievement Award. Big news.”

“Yeah, thanks,” I grumbled. “How the hell did you know about it before I did?”

She shrugged, still smiling that infuriating smile. “Because I’m that good. And Dean Walker insists we do a full spread on you—interview, photoshoot, the whole nine yards.”

“Fuck no.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I just found out two seconds ago and you already have your claws in me? Not happening.”

Kara’s smile widened, clearly enjoying herself. “Mr. Walker insists,” she repeated, leaning against my desk as if she owned it too.

I clenched my teeth together, cursing under my breath. The last thing I needed was more spotlight on my already chaotic life. “What part of ‘no’ didn’t you understand?”

“The part where you think you have a choice,” she shot back smoothly. “Look, Morgan, this is happening whether you like it or not. You might as well cooperate and make it easier for both of us.”

I glared at her, feeling the frustration bubble up inside me again. “Fine,” I finally said through gritted teeth. “But keep it quick and painless.”

She winked at me. “I’ll try to keep your suffering to a minimum.”

She stopped, tilting her head to the side. "From what I understand," she said, her tone softer, "you get a plus one. Is there anyone you want me to reach out to?"

"Who the fuck do you think you are? My personal assistant?" I barked.

Kara's eyes narrowed, but she held her ground. "I know your son's team didn't make playoffs, so he's available?—"

I glared at her; the anger flaring up like a hot coal in my chest. She finally looked away, though not before giving me a defiant smirk.

"I'll arrange for a photographer and get you a date, probably during the ceremony, to keep things easier," she said,straightening up. Without another word, she left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her.

I sat back down heavily in my chair; the leather creaking under my weight. The room felt too quiet now, the silence pressing in like a physical weight. I ran a hand over my face, trying to rub away the tension.

Nick. The mention of him always brought a storm of emotions. Pride mixed with a seething anger that never seemed to fade. He’d made it to the NHL—a feat I once dreamed of for myself. But our relationship was as strained as ever. Years of tough love and high expectations had built a wall between us that seemed insurmountable.

And then there was Ally.

The memory of that night came rushing back like an unwelcome tide. It had started as a way to forget—one drink too many and the world had blurred around the edges. But it became something more, something complicated and tangled up in feelings I didn’t want to admit existed. And then she disappeared from my life as quickly as she’d entered it.

Leaning back in my chair, I stared at the ceiling, trying to piece together how everything had gone so wrong. My life felt like a series of missed connections and unresolved issues—a puzzle with pieces that didn’t quite fit together.

Nick’s resentment gnawed at me more than I cared to admit. Every time we spoke—or rather, every time we fought—I felt that chasm widen between us. He saw me as nothing more than a critical father who could never be pleased. Maybe he was right.

And after what happened with Ally… Jesus, how could I even begin to address that?

I didn’t know if I wanted to fix things anymore. Didn’t know if I even could. The thought of reaching out to Nick for this event made my chest tighten with anxiety and regret.

But after what he did…

After what he said about her…

I rubbed my temples and let out a heavy sigh, feeling every one of my forty-five years weigh down on me.

---