Page 86 of Silver Fox Puck

Grant doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t shift. Doesn’t react at all. He just meets Jake’s fury with calm, unreadable control.

“I’m thinking she’s a grown woman who can make her own choices. Maybe you should realize that, too.”

Jake’s fists tighten. “This isn’t a choice. This is you taking advantage.”

My head snaps up, rage exploding through me.

“Oh, screw you, Jake! No one is taking advantage of me.”

Jake’s eyes burn into mine. “You don’t get it, Kenz. You think this is just fun? A hookup? He’s got a kid. He’s got an ex. He’s got a life you don’t even understand. A past.”

The words hit like a slap. Not just anger in them—something deeper. Something closer to concern.

And that’s what makes my stomach tighten. He’s not just pissed about the age gap. He’s pissed because he doesn’t think I know what I’m getting into.

But it’s too late for him to play the protective big brother.

I lift my chin, my pulse hammering. “I don’t need you to make decisions for me, Jake.”

His jaw clenches. “And what happens when this gets messy? Because it will. This isn’t just some casual thing, Kenz.”

I open my mouth to snap back. But then he throws out the real bomb.

“You don’t even know the half of it.” Tight, clipped. Like he’s barely holding it together.

And when I frown, confused, he turns to Grant. “Tell her.”

And just like that, the energy in the room shifts. Because for the first time since this started Grant actually looks tense.

The silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating. Grant doesn’t look away from Jake. But something changes in his expression.

His usual calm? His unreadable, steady composure? It fractures.

Not much. Not enough for Jake to see it. But I see it. And that’s what makes my stomach tighten.

“Grant,” I say carefully. “What is he talking about?”

Slowly, his gaze shifts to me.

And that’s when I know.

This is big. This is something he should have told me already.

Something that’s about to change everything.

He exhales slowly, his jaw ticking once before he finally says it.

“The year I took off of hockey wasn’t just because of my divorce. I was the head coach and I got into a fist fight with a player in the locker room.”

“He was suspended, Kenz. He lost his cool and whopped a player.” He glares at Grant. “Not cool. Had to go into anger management therapy and everything.”

Everything inside me stops.

My breath. My pulse. My ability to think.

Jake’s words hit different now. He was suspended from the league. This is big. They don’t do something like that without a good reason. Can I even trust this guy?

I stare at him, words failing me, my throat tight and dry.

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