Page 88 of Puck Lust

“You didn’t answer my question.”

I let out a frustrated breath. “I believe Jack. I believe this guy is hurting his son. And I’d go out on a limb to support him because I believe he’s right. He was just trying to protect the kid because nobody did that for him.”

The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. Shock seeps into Dad’s expression.

“Do you mean…?”

I shake my head. “Look, I shouldn’t have said that. I just want you to understand that this wasn’t Jack just lashing out at the guy because he could. There’s a lot behind his actions, things he trusted me with. So,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “I stand by him. I won’t turn my back on him again.”

Gigi raises an eyebrow, staring at me hard. Expectantly.

Like I shouldn’t just be standing here right now, defending.

That I should be out there somewhere, doing.

I clutch the sides of the mug.

And she’d be right.

I put the mug down, my stomach knotted like a damn pretzel.

“I’ve gotta go, guys. I need to find Jack and make sure he’s okay.”

Dad raises his eyebrows and opens his mouth but says nothing.

“I told him I’d be there for him and I let him down before,” I say directly to him. “That’s not what being a good friend is all about. And if my fans don’t like it,” I say with a shrug of my shoulders. “Then screw them. I’m more than just a hockey player. I’m a human being and I don’t turn my back on people when they’re going through a rough time.”

Gigi’s lips turn upward in a knowing grin and she gives me a little nod.

Dad stands up from his chair. “Carter, I’m telling you that it’s a terrible idea. You will destroy your career?—”

I hold up a hand. “Dad, did you raise me to be a heartless jerk? Someone who is self-centered and judgmental and narrow-minded?”

Mom’s eyes pop open wide as she stares from me to my dad.

“No,” he says gruffly.

“That’s right,” I say. “You raised me better than that. I don’t think you’d want the shoe to be on the other foot, right? With me floundering and people I trusted abandoning me because it might not be the best look for their image?”

His face twists into a grimace. “I think it’s a bad idea but…” Dad waves a hand toward the front door. “I understand. And I respect your decision.”

I smile and give my mother a big hug. “Thank you for understanding.”

“We love you, sweetie,” she says.

I bend down to kiss Grandma on the top of the head.

“And we support you no matter what,” Gigi pipes in, making a heart shape with her hands.

Fuck me, she knows.

But I’m not ready for that. Not yet.

One step at a time.

They know he matters to me. It’s a solid start.

I run back up to my room, pack my bag, and dart down the stairs. “Love you guys!”

---