Page 80 of Ice Ice Maybe
I was cornered.
I ran my hand over my face, thinking …
“Fine,” I said.
“This better not be a trick,” Mitch warned. “I want you to resign immediately since Mr. Dalton is here.”
“You have my word,” I assured him. “Now, give me the ring.”
Mitch slapped it into my palm with a satisfied look.
I turned to face the Daltons, shooting a wink at Zena and patting my pocket to let her know I had gotten the ring back.
“Is everything sorted?” Mr. Dalton asked, eyeing Bella and Bonnie suspiciously. “And who are the two women?”
“Two of Mitch’s groupies—Bonnie and Belle,” I said. “As for our situation, yes, it has been resolved. Mitch will be on the flight to Tampa with the team.”
Mr. Dalton nodded, seemingly pleased. “Good work. Now, let’s get back to business. Enough with the improvisation. We need to regroup and update the plan for the rest of the season. We can brainstorm on the flight.”
“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Dalton,” I said.
He eyed me suspiciously. “Why not?”
Mitch’s ultimatum echoed in my mind like a ticking time bomb. I took a deep breath, knowing that my next words would change everything.
“Because …” I paused, the finality of my decision weighing heavily on me, and my voice firm despite the turmoil inside. “I resign, effective immediately.”
Chapter Twenty
Zena
Nolan’s words bounced around inside my head, as out of place as a disco ball in a monastery.
I resign, effective immediately.
There was no way.
This was Nolan we were talking about—the guy who got misty-eyed talking about the perfect ice surface, and who probably dreamed in Zamboni patterns. Quitting his job? I didn’t believe it for one second.
My eyes narrowed as they darted between Nolan and Mitch. Something fishy was going on, and it reeked of a particular caveman con job, especially judging by the smug look on Mitch’s face. There was no doubt he was behind this.
“Where is this coming from?” I asked Nolan, hoping he would expose Mitch and put an end to this resigning nonsense. “You love your job.”
“And nobody does it better than you,” Mom said. “I’m sure you know by now that I’m quite fond of you, Nolan, and we love having you in our lives.” She smiled and rubbed the side of his arm. “You can’t escape us that easily.”
“I agree one hundred percent,” Coach Quinn said. “You’re a valuable asset to the Sea Lions.”
“I second that emotion.” I said. “You’re not going anywhere.”
Mitch placed his hands on his hips and glared at me. “You have no say in this. It’s Nolan’s life, and he decided. Stay out of it.”
Dad stepped forward. “Don’t you dare use that tone with my daughter!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Dalton,” Mitch said. “I’m just saying if the man wants to quit, he has the right to quit. The purpose of our lives is to be happy.”
“Sorry, but I’m not buying your Dalai Lama act,” I said, fury bubbling up inside me. “Admit it; you made Nolan do this.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mitch said. “Nolan quit, which I fully support. End of story.”
