Page 99 of Arrogant Puck

I stare at my bloody knuckles and wonder if she’s right.

Maybe I am exactly that.

If it wasn’t true, then why would she say it?

Chapter 35

I leave the equipment room with my spine straight and my jaw clenched, refusing to feel guilty for calling Slater out. He needed to hear it. Someone needed to tell him that the world doesn’t revolve around his wants and his money and his ability to intimidate people into submission.

My heels click against the polished floor as I walk away, each step echoing in the empty hallway. He thinks he can just throw his weight around, threaten my boss, risk my career, and I’m supposed to what—thank him? Fall at his feet because he’s Slater Castellano?

The man is a grade-A arrogant dick, and I should have seen it coming. I should have known better than to let another man ruin my life. My ex destroyed my reputation so thoroughly I had to flee halfway across the country, and now here I am again—careerin shambles because I was stupid enough to get involved with someone who thinks rules don’t apply to him.

But this is different. This is worse. With my ex, the damage was quick. One bad night, and I moved fast. This with Slater has been drawn out. He made my old boss quit. His presence made me lose my rental. And now I’m about to lose my job.

My stomach churns as I quicken my pace down the hallway, scanning for any sign of Tanya. I find her near the main entrance, typing furiously on her phone, her face a mask of professional displeasure.

“Tanya, please,” I call out, my voice steadier than I feel.

She looks up, her expression cold. “Come with me.”

We walk to her office in silence, and I can feel the weight of every stare from staff members we pass. They can tell something’s up because of our expressions.

Tanya closes the office door with a soft click that sounds final, like a coffin lid closing. The small space feels suffocating, all beige walls and fluorescent lighting that makes everything look harsh and unforgiving.

“Are you dating him?” she asks, settling behind her desk like a judge preparing to deliver a sentence.

I shake my head quickly. “No.”

“Is he always like that?” Her fingers drum against the desk surface. “I haven’t had time to review his file yet.”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” The lie tastes bitter in my mouth. I do know. I know he’s arrogant and used to getting his way. I know he has a temper that flares hot and fast. I know he thinks money can solve any problem. “He seemed... nice.”

Tanya’s laugh is sharp, humorless. “Boys like him are never nice, Sage. They just pretend to be when it serves their purposes.” She leans forward, her voice dropping. “He can probably follow through on his threats—men like that usually can. But I still have to report this. I have to report him for threatening me.”

My heart sinks into my stomach. Of course, she does. Of course, this is going to get worse before it gets better.

“Okay,” I manage. “I understand.”

She starts to rise from her chair, reaching for a file folder, but I can’t let her leave. Can’t let this spiral completely out of control.

“Tanya, wait.” The desperation in my voice surprises even me. “I’ll quit.”

She freezes. “What?”

“I can’t get fired.”Or get him in trouble.Hockey is all he has. My voice cracks, and I hate how small I sound. “Please. I’ll quit. Leave on good terms so I can find work somewhere else. This job—this field—it’s all I have.”

Something that might be sympathy flickers across her face, but her tone remains businesslike. “It’s my first day here, Sage. I can’t just ignore what I saw. You crossed a serious line.” She pauses, studying me. “Unless he forced you? Coerced you in some way?”

I inhale sharply, automatically shaking my head. Jesus, that would make everything infinitely worse. Sexual assault allegations against a star athlete? That’s a media circus I could not survive.

“No,” I say firmly. “Nothing like that.”

“Then it’s settled.” She straightens her blazer with sharp, efficient movements. “Let’s go to the University’s HR. Now.”

The walk to the HR office feels like a death march. I keep my eyes straight ahead, refusing to look at any of the players or staff we pass. My hands are trembling slightly, and I clench them into fists to make it stop. I feel like I’m floating outside my body, watching this disaster unfold from a distance.

The HR office is exactly what I expected—neutral colors, motivational posters, and the smell of stale coffee. Tanya walks straight up to the receptionist.

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