Page 75 of Delayed Penalty

“Why can’t Just Quinn and I come to the game?”

“Do I really have to go to school tomorrow?”

“Flora’s good,” I tell him. “She’s really coming out of her shell.”

“And you’ve got your nanny situation all settled?”

My nanny.

My nanny who I know tastes like butterscotch.

My nanny who I know sounds like the most beautiful symphony ever penned when she comes.

My nanny who I spent the entire afternoon fucking.

I shift in my chair. “Yeah, I got it figured out.”

“That’s good. I’m glad to hear it. I won’t lie, while I was eager to get my first NHL coaching job, I was a little worried when I saw your name on the roster. Don’t think I’ve forgotten all the shit you pulled with the Comets.”

I grimace. “Yeah, sorry about that. I’m…I’m not that guy anymore.”

Or at least IhopeI’m not that guy anymore, despite what I’m doing with Quinn.

“No, you’re not. You’re a good guy, Hayes. Youhave a bright future ahead of you and now you have that little girl to take care of. You need to set a good example for her, so if you don’t keep on the straight and narrow for you, do it for her. Make good choices for her.”

Make good choices for her.It sounds so simple, so easy. Yet I’ve already majorly fucked it up by screwing the first person in her life she’s actually opened up to. I’m such a piece of shit.

“I will,” I promise, hoping he can’t tell it’s a lie.

“Good. You’re bringing the kid to the family skate, right?”

It’s something new Coach Smith is starting this year. He wants us to bring our families to the rink so we can all get to know one another. Even the guys who don’t have anyone like Keller, Fox, and Locke have to come too. Even they have to “bring that homeless guy who lives down by the arena,” Coach said. So, I guess we’re all going.

“Yep. We’ll be there.”

I should probably mention this to Quinn at some point. I meant to tell her yesterday, but I was too busy avoiding her. Then the plan was to tell her today, but I was too busynotavoiding her and forgot.

“Feel free to invite your nanny too. The more the merrier.”

Bring Quinn around the guys? That sounds…dangerous. Although her brother is a hockey player, so I’m sure she’s used to their bullshit. Plus, their families will be here, which should mean they’ll all be on their best behavior. At least they better be.

“I’ll ask her about it.”

“Good. Now get out of here.” He flicks his chin toward the door. “You boys have a long, long day tomorrow.”

“Good night, Coach.”

“Night, kid.”

I practically run from his office, eager to get away from his sage words that make me feel like shit.

Make good choices for her.

I think of it the whole way home. Through every traffic light and turn, it’s on my mind. Even when I pull into the driveway, the house dark, I’m still thinking of it. When I walk inside and have my usual post-game drink, it’s right there at the forefront. And when I walk past my room and straight into Quinn’s, those words are practically on repeat.

Make good choices for her.

But I don’t.

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