Page 82 of Perfectly Faked

“Should I be worried?” I ask, my tone light as I sit opposite of him.

“Not at all. We were just discussing your probation. We decided to cut your community service hours,” he says. “Which means you’ll be back on the ice for the next game.”

“What’s the catch?” I ask. Because he can’t be doing this out of the goodness of his heart.

“I’m trying to figure out if you’re ready to be the player I need for this team.”

I sit up straighter. “You’re questioning whether I belong here?”

He leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “I’m questioning whether you understand what it means to play for something bigger than yourself. To sacrifice your own desires for the team.”

“For the record, I’ve done everything you’ve asked during my probation,” I say. “I took up figure skating and gave up hockey. If that isn’t a sacrifice, I don’t know what is.” Even if it was hardly a “sacrifice,” since it meant more time with Victoria.

“You’ve made progress,” he admits. “But this isn’t just about what happens on the ice. I’ve seen glimpses of the leader you can be, but you’ve still got a ways to go. There have been moments in practice. Signs of the same temper that got you in trouble to begin with.”

“One issue,” I correct him. “And I handled it.”

“This isn’t just about one incident,” he says. “It’s about whether you’re willing to change to be a better player. To give up what you want to have the career you’ve always desired.”

I frown. “Is this about me and Victoria?”

Coach exhales slowly, leaning back in his chair. “It’s about both of you. She’s my daughter, Leo. And no matter whathappens between the two of you, her well-being is my first priority.”

I blink, surprised by his tone. He’s not angry. He’s...concerned? Just like a father should be.

He shuffles some papers on his desk. “I’ve seen what happens when emotions get tangled up with ambition. I don’t want either of you to lose sight of what you really want.” His face is unreadable, like he’s trying to tell me something without really saying it.

“You think I’d hold her back?” I ask.

“No, because you understand the sacrifices athletes need to make,” he says. “But she needs to make choices for herself, and let’s face it, Peter is what’s best for her career. He can get her to Nationals, maybe even the Olympics. But he’s only willing to train with her if she moves to Seattle. The only reason he came here is to see if they’re a good fit.”

“Seattle?” I say, raising my eyebrows. The distance feels like a gut punch. With my travel games and her practice schedule, we’ll hardly ever see each other. “I didn’t know moving was part of the request.”

Coach rubs a hand over his face. “It’s not what I want either—even though I’ve spent her whole life trying to make sure she had every opportunity to succeed. Watching her struggle—it’s not easy for me, Leo.” Coach shakes his head and looks away, and for once, I see a father who cares about his daughter.

“You think I’m the reason she’ll give up this opportunity,” I say, filling in the blanks of what he’s probably thinking.

He hesitates for a second. “I think you might make it hard for her to leave. She’s always wanted this, Leo. Just like you’ve always wanted a hockey career. Ambitious people never lose sight of their first goal. But I also don’t want her to regret her choices.”

“You mean, dating me?” I ask, pointedly.

His gaze drops to his desk. “Unlike my wife, I’m not against her dating a hockey player. When I heard what happened at the restaurant, I told my wife she was out of line. Our daughter is a grown adult. She has no right to speak to her like that.”

My eyes cut to his. “I bet that was a fun conversation.”

Coach’s mouth curves into a faint smile. “It wasn’t pleasant, but it’ll stop her from putting more pressure on Victoria. Right now, I’m making sure no one—including myself—pushes Victoria into anything less than what she deserves.”

Does he think I’m making her settle for something less? He’s a father protecting his daughter, and I get that, because if I were in his shoes, I’d probably do the same.

“Anything else, Anderson?” he asks, leaning back in his chair.

I’m not just sitting across from my coach right now—I’m talking with my girlfriend’s father. Pretty sure there’s no playbook for this.

“No, Coach,” I finally say, rising from my seat.

“Good,” he says, turning to me one last time. “You’re a good player, Leo. And deep down, I think you’re a good man. Prove me right.”

Another week passes, and Victoria and I only get to see each other in the margins of our lives since she’s now training with Peter instead of me. I should be thrilled I no longer have to practice press lifts and dance holds, but if I’m being honest, I miss the excuse to spend that time with her. By the time she finishes with Peter, she’s too tired to do much more than collapse onto the couch, wearing my hoodie as she snuggles against me.

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