Page 96 of Boards & Betrayal

“It’s fine,” I said, shaking my head. “I want to walk around, anyway.”

“Sure,” Seraphina said, sitting back down gracefully. She watched me for a moment before returning her attention to the papers on her desk.

I turned and left her office; the door closing softly behind me. The hallways of the Ice Palace stretched out before me. My footsteps echoed against the polished floors as I wandered aimlessly, letting the weight of our conversation settle over me.

I needed air—space to think. As I walked through the corridors adorned with memorabilia and photos of past glories, my mind raced with conflicting emotions. The offer wastempting, more than tempting—it was a lifeline. But accepting it meant confronting parts of myself I'd buried deep.

I found myself standing in front of a wall-sized photograph of the team celebrating their last championship win. Their faces were filled with joy and camaraderie—something that felt foreign to me now. My eyes lingered on the image, searching for something I couldn’t quite name.

Seraphina’s words echoed in my mind: "Sometimes just being present is enough." Could it be that simple? Could showing up for Ally help bridge the chasm between us?

I exhaled sharply and resumed my walk, the cold air from the rink hitting my face as I passed by an open door leading to the ice. I stopped at the edge, watching a few players practice their drills even though it was off-season. Their dedication and focus reminded me of why I loved this sport in the first place—the purity of effort and passion.

But I loved Ally more.

And right now, before I made any decision, I had to make things right between us.

As we steppedinto the hotel ballroom, the Halloween theme enveloped us. Orange and black streamers draped from the ceiling, mingling with cobwebs that glittered under the dim lights. Pumpkins of various sizes adorned every corner, some carved with intricate designs, while others simply glowed with eerie faces. Chandeliers, shrouded in faux spider webs, cast an ethereal light over the room, adding to the mystique.

Men and women moved gracefully across the floor, their faces obscured by elaborate masks. The men's tuxedos and the women's gowns gave the event an air of elegance, despite theplayful theme. Ally's dress hugged her in all the right places, a deep emerald that made her auburn hair and eyes stand out even more against her pale skin. Her mask was delicate, adorned with tiny feathers and glitter that caught the light whenever she turned her head.

I couldn't help but notice how many eyes followed her as we moved through the crowd. Men especially seemed drawn to her, their gazes lingering a bit too long for my liking. I wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her closer to me. She looked up and gave me a small smile, one that melted away any lingering doubts about being here tonight.

We made our way toward my players, who were clustered near a buffet table laden with festive treats. As we approached, they turned their attention to us, curiosity evident even through their masks.

"Hey, assholes," I began, "this is Ally."

They greeted her warmly, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. It struck me then how natural it felt to introduce her to them—how right it felt. As I watched her interact with them, laughing at their jokes and engaging in light conversation, I felt something shift inside me.

Ally was it for me.

The night went splendidly. We danced beneath the glittering chandeliers and shared whispered conversations over pumpkin-spiced cocktails. Each moment with her felt like another piece of a puzzle clicking into place.

For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. As if maybe, just maybe, everything could finally be all right.

"What the fuck, Ally?"

The sound of Nick's voice sliced through the air like a knife, sending an icy chill down my spine. I instinctively stepped in front of Ally, shielding her from the venom in his eyes.

"Get the fuck out, Nick," I growled, my voice low and dangerous.

"What are you doing here?" Nick demanded, his face contorted with rage. "I fucking followed you… to his house? Like this? Fuck, Ally, my dad. You fucking whore, are you trying to get back at me?"

It took everything in me not to lash out at him. My hand shot out, grabbing Nick by the collar. "Don't," I warned, my voice a barely contained snarl. From the corner of my eye, I saw my team straighten up, their eyes fixed on us. They'd fight for me if it came to that, but I needed to keep control.

"Fuck you," Nick spat out, his words dripping with venom. "Are you that jealous of me that you need to fucking take my sloppy seconds? You're a fucking perverted, pathetic old man. I hope you like droopy dick, Ally."

"Nick," she snapped, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Stop."

But Nick was too far gone. He swung at me, his fist coming fast and hard. I dodged the punch easily enough, but it only seemed to fuel his rage.

"Nick!" Ally shrieked, stepping between us just as he swung again.

His fist connected with her jaw before either of us could react. Time seemed to slow as she stumbled back, her hand flying up to her face.

Red washed over my vision. It didn't matter that he was my son—he'd hit her. Accident or not, he had hit her. Fury surged through me as I lunged at him, all rational thought gone.

My fists flew faster than I could think, each punch landing with a sickening thud against Nick's body. Years of pent-up frustration and anger poured out with every strike. He had crossed a line—one he couldn't come back from.

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