Page 69 of No Pucks

“You mean you’re going to have him removed from the game?” I flinch. I hadn’t thought about Grandfather’s team since I’d moved out. One of the ways my father clings to fame is being seen at the games and helping manage it.

“He’s embarrassed me enough. Turnabout is fair play.” She’s entirely cool and calm. “I think escorting him out of the owner’s box is exactly what he deserves.” She’s acting far from what I expected. I don’t know what to say.

“I don’t disagree, but that’s not going to end well.”

She laughs. “Good. He can make it a bigger deal than it is. He deserves it.”

“Are you sure…?” I don’t even know where I’m going with the statement. I don’t think there is a person in the household who doesn’t hate him after the way he’d acted over the last decade, but I still don’t want our life playing out like a circus if they get back together. I’d had enough of that the first time she found out.

“I’m not letting him do this to me again.” She scoots forward in her seat and takes one of my hands in hers.

“No, you don’t deserve that. I’m not standing up for him.”

“I’m truly done. I’m sorry I’ve put you through this.”

“You seemed so happy recently. I didn’t want to. “

“I was. I don’t know why I believed he changed.” She exhales heavily. “I hate him for doing that to you more than anything else.”

“I hate that I’ve ruined that for you.”

She looks me directly in the eyes. “You didn’t ruin it. He did. It was fake anyway if this is how he’s still behaving.”

My chest warms a little, and some of the dread that built over the last few months eases. “I’m sorry. We thought he’d changed too.” A lie. He’ll never change. My father only cares about one person, and that’s himself.

“Do you have plans tonight?” my mother asks, a glint in her eyes.

“No…” An idea occurs to me. “Can I bring someone to the game?”

She lifts a brow. “Are you seeing someone?”

Panic ices my veins. “No! My coach.” This lie, I feel bad about. “I think he’d enjoy seeing the team he used to play for and—” I let her hang, a smirk forming on my mouth. “Dad hates him.”

“Excellent. Bring him.”

TWENTY-ONE

ANTHONY

While I was expecting Logan to show up after he spoke to his mother, I wasn’t expecting him to be quite so chipper and dressed up. Logan had changed into a sweater and slacks that perfectly hug his body, showing off just how muscular he is. He looks like a pretty package for me to unwrap.

I step back, allowing him to come into my apartment. “You look…happy?”

“I am.”

“Did you tell your mother?”

He nods, grinning.

“What changed?”

“My mother has personally invited you to the New York game tonight.”

My eyes widen. “Your dad is the team manager. I don’t want to see him.”

“Guess who’s being fired tonight before the game?”

I balk. “He’s what?”

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