Page 52 of Boards & Betrayal

"I should go," I murmured, taking a step back.

Thomas's eyes snapped back to me. "I'm your ride."

"I'll catch a bus," I said quickly, my voice steady but my heart pounding in my chest.

"Ally—" Thomas started, but I didn't give him a chance to finish.

I slipped past Saint and out of the office before Thomas could argue or stop me. The cool night air hit me like a splash of water, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Each step away from that room felt like a small victory, even though I knew it was only temporary.

As I walked towards the bus stop, I couldn't shake the feeling of Thomas's gaze burning into my back. The weight of what I hadn't told him felt heavier with each step. But for now, distance was what I needed—time and space to gather myself and figure out how to navigate what to do next.

Chapter 16

Tom

Saint led me into the office, where a television hung on the wall. The screen displayedNHL Tonight, and there was Nick, seated in an elegant suit that emphasized his athletic build. His face, a younger reflection of my own, appeared under the bright studio lights. His dark hair, perfectly styled, contrasted with the sharpness of his jawline.

Holly, the host, leaned in slightly, her expression eager. “Nick, your father just received a prestigious coaching award. Any thoughts on that?”

Nick’s lips curled into a tight smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, it’s... something,” he said, his voice laced with thinly veiled sarcasm.

Holly pressed on, not picking up on his tone or maybe choosing to ignore it. “He’s had quite the career, both as a player and a coach. What do you think contributed to his success?”

Nick adjusted his tie, taking a moment as if he were considering his words carefully. “Well,” he began slowly, “I guess you could say he’s good at pushing people to their limits. Not everyone can handle that. And definitely dedicating his life to it. Putting it above everything else."

Saint glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, but remained silent.

Holly’s enthusiasm never wavered. “And how about your relationship with him? Do you think his coaching style influenced your own career in any way?”

Nick let out a short laugh that carried no warmth. “Influence? Sure. Let’s just say I learned what not to do.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other in a gesture that spoke volumes about his disdain.

“Could you elaborate on that?” Holly probed further.

Nick shrugged as if the answer were obvious. “He’s all about control and perfectionism. Not much room for mistakes or being human.”

I felt a tightening in my chest, but kept my face impassive.

“Any advice for aspiring players who might look up to both you and your father?” she asked, her voice unwaveringly positive.

Nick’s eyes flicked towards the camera with an intensity that could cut through steel. “Just remember that being great at something doesn’t mean you’re great at everything else.” He paused for effect before adding, “Especially not relationships.”

Saint shifted uncomfortably beside me but said nothing.

“Thank you for your honesty,” Holly replied smoothly, wrapping up the segment. “It’s always great to hear from one of the league’s rising stars.”

The screen switched to a commercial break as I stood there, feeling every inch of distance between my son and me.

"Your son's a dick," Saint said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Tell me something I don't know," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. The greys at my temples felt like physical manifestations of the stress Nick put me through. Disappointment gnawed at my gut, but it wasn't new. Justanother layer added to the endless stack of missed opportunities and unspoken words between us.

I stared at the blank TV screen, the echo of Nick’s last words ringing in my ears.Being great at something doesn’t mean you’re great at everything else.He wasn’t wrong. We could have had a strong relationship, Nick and I. But that opportunity was taken from me long before he ever held a hockey stick.

And honestly? It hadn't helped when Nick found out about me and Ally. Not that things were on their way to get better anyway, but it hadn't helped.

A sigh escaped me as I slumped into the nearest chair. That night with Ally was supposed to be nothing more than a brief escape from my own screwed-up life. Instead, it became another wedge driven between my son and me.

And it became everything to me.

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