Page 83 of The Golden Goalie

“It’s in his contract. The Green Thunder boys are the golden boys. If they get caught fighting off the ice, they’re done.”

My blood turns to ice. “What do you mean they’re done?”

He smiles, and it’s ruthless. “It’s a breach of contract, and they’re off the team. And I’ve got not one but two of those boys on a recording.” He cocks his head to the side. “How do you think the Green Thunder boys will do without their captain or their goalie?”

My mind scrambles. “I don’t believe you.”

He shrugs. “You don’t have to.”

“My brother-in-law tangled with another player off the ice, and he was fine.”

“Did he miss any games?” he asks.

I pause because I didn’t really pay attention back then.Did he?

“I don’t really care what happened back then. All I know is that it’s in their contract. I turn this video in to anybody in their organization, and those two are done.”

“How do you know all this?” I demand.

“Does it matter?” I stare at him, still trying to decide if he’s bluffing. He laughs. “You still don’t believe me. How about you call the goalie and ask him? I bet he knows.”

“Why are you doing this?” I ask him, keeping my voice emotionless.

“I’m not doing anything. I’m just letting you know.”

“No, you want something. What, Adam?”

His eyes narrow, and he finally loses the charade. “You told the world that I was the father of your baby and that I left you. And then you flaunted your relationship with that goalie to the entire world.”

I swallow at the very real hatred in his eyes. “Adam, whatever you think happened didn’t. I have never told anybody that you were the father of my baby except my close family and friends. And I haven’t flaunted anything.”

“Oh please. Those photos of you and him at the pregnancy center?”

“You know how those reporters are. They’re always following you guys around trying to get anything. So somebody got a picture of us. It’s not a big deal.”

“It is!” He slams his fist down on the table, making me jump. “I already lost a contract with a potential sponsor over it, and one of my long-standing contracts is possibly being pulled.” He leans forward. “You and that baby are going to make my life miserable.”

I work to keep my breathing steady. “Adam, I’m not—”

“Don’t,” he says viciously. “This is what you’re going to do. You are going to break things off with the goalie.” I’m already shaking my head, but he continues. “You and I will continue to date, just as we were before. Once the baby comes, I’ll wait a little longer and then we will break up.”

The thought of dating him, even for pretend, makes me sick. “I’m not doing this, Adam.”

He leans forward. “Oh, but you already are.” A bad feeling begins to form. “Look over there. You see that guy in the brown jacket?” I turn my head and search the room until I see a guy wearing a brown jacket. He waves at me and lifts a camera. I turn slowly back to Adam.

“What did you do?”

He leans back in my chair. “Made sure I had leverage. My buddy Steve works for...well anybody really. He sells photos to the highest bidder.” Dread pools in my stomach, and I whip my head back around. But he’s already gone. “Those photos will appear at the latest tomorrow sometime on some popular site somewhere. It will show that we’re back together again. Or maybe it will come across that you’re two-timing your beloved goalie. Not sure how it will be spun.”

I stare at him. “Why are you doing this?”

“I already told you, Love. Nobody makes a fool of me. I’m not losing the life I have because ofyou.”

Realizing I’ve already lost, I hang on to what’s left of my dignity. I just need out of here. I can fall apart when I get home, but I am not giving him the satisfaction of watching me fall apart now. I lean forward. “If I do this, you will destroy the video you have of Gunner and Rico. You won’t threaten their place on the team?”

“Yes.”

“And how do I know I can trust you?” I demand.

---