Page 30 of Slap Shot
"Here's what's going to happen. No more working with Oliver. Period. No meetings, no consultations, no contact outside of basic professional courtesy."
"But Jack said—"
"I've already spoken to Jack. He agrees that this has gone too far. You want to keep your job? You stay away from the players. The Charm City Chill players are not your personal dating pool."
Heather's throat went tight. "How dare you."
"I'm dead serious. This is strike two, Heather. There won't be a third." Ivy paused, letting the threat sink in. "Do we understand each other?"
"Perfectly."
"Good. Have a nice evening."
The line went dead, leaving Heather staring at her phone like it might explode. Six months of rebuilding her career, of proving she belonged in this world, and it could all evaporate because she'd let her feelings cloud her judgment.
Twenty minutes later, her doorbell rang. Through the peephole, she could see Oliver waiting on her front step, Charlie sitting patiently beside him. He looked relaxed, almost happy, completely unaware that their budding relationship had just been torched by HR.
She opened the door, trying not to let her dismay bleed through to her expression.
"Hey, beautiful." Oliver's smile was warm and genuine, the kind that made her forget why she was supposed to be keeping her distance. He'd changed out of his practice gear into dark jeans and a navy sweater that hugged his shoulders in all the right ways. Charlie trotted past them both into her living room like he owned the place.
"Hey yourself." She closed the door behind them, watching Charlie settle onto his usual spot on her rug. "But we have a problem."
Oliver's expression shifted immediately, all traces of casual happiness disappearing. "What kind of problem?"
"The Ivy Hodges kind." Heather closed the door and leaned against it, suddenly needing the support. "HR just called. They're shutting us down."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean no more working together." The words tasted bitter. "Someone saw us at Antonio's. And apparently our little ice skating session didn't go unnoticed either."
Oliver's face darkened. "Shit. I'm sorry, Heather. I should have thought about that."
"We both should have." She moved to her couch, her legs suddenly unsteady. "Ivy made it clear this is strike two. One more step out of line and I'm gone."
Oliver sat down beside her. She wanted to lean into him despite everything. Charlie came over and settled at their feet, his solid presence somehow making the situation feel less hopeless.
"So what happens now?" She dreaded asking the question.
He frowned and stared at his feet. "I guess now we follow the rules. No more meetings, no more working together, no more..." He gestured vaguely between them.
"No more us?" she said. She had been afraid of this response.
The words hung in the air like a death sentence. "We've known each other for three days. Maybe we got caught up in the intensity of the situation, but—"
"But nothing." Heather grabbed his hand. "Don't minimize what's happening here. Three days or three months, I know what I feel."
"My career isn't going anywhere. I play hockey, and as long as I keep scoring goals, they'll put up with a lot." He leaned closer. "But you—"
"But me what?"
"You're rebuilding after your divorce, after what your ex did to you. You can't afford to take risks like this." His voice was rough with frustration. "I won't be the reason you lose everything again."
The consideration in his voice, the way he was putting her needs first even when it obviously killed him, made her chest ache. "So we just walk away? Pretend none of this happened?"
"If that's what keeps you safe, then yes."
Heather stared at him, this man who was willing to sacrifice what he wanted to protect her career. It should have been reassuring. Instead, it pissed her off.
