Falling in love wasn’t on my radar.
Honestly, I didn’t think it would happen. Not even once I met her. I knew she was special, but I didn’t think I’d fall hard and fast the way I have. That I’d be in a position where I’d be considering risking everything to be with her.
If I’m honest, that’s probably what this tightness in my chest is about.
I’m not stupid.
I know things are going to come to a head at some point. We can’t hide forever, and too many people already know about us. West and the others wouldn’t purposely give us away but they can’t be expected to lie and hide things indefinitely. That’s not fair to any of us.
Maybe I need to get my own place, where Jayne and I don’t have to worry about who sees us.
That won’t solve the problem of her father, though.
This is an endless loop running through my head and as I get my equipment on, I know what I have to do.
First, I’m going to call my agent and tell him everything.
Then I’m going to talk to Coach Morrison. I don’t know what I’ll do if he gives me an ultimatum but?—
“Michener.” Coach Morrison joins us on the ice.
“Yeah, Coach?” I skate over to him, trying to clear my head.
“How much do you know about Herb Brooks and the 1980 U.S. Olympic team?”
My brows knit together in confusion. “A little. I mean, I know we won the gold.”
He doesn’t smile, and there’s something I would almost describe as sinister in his eyes.
Jesus, he looks mean as fuck right now.
“He didn’t like it when his players fucked up.”
That’s a scary thought. “No, sir.”
“Neither do I.”
Uh oh.
I wrack my brain trying to think what I might have done wrong beyond the obvious. I’m playing well. My stats are actually great. What could he?—
“And when you expressly do something I tell younotto do, there will be consequences. Do you understand me?”
“I think so.” My stomach is churning now.
Heknows.
I don’t know how I know that but there’s no doubt in my mind.
Fuck.
“Start skating, Michener. Laps.”
“How many?” I ask with as much bravado as I can muster up.
“Until I tell you to stop. And I want to see some hustle.”
Now I know exactly what he’s talking about. The so-called “Herbies,” where the coach of the 1980 Olympic team was pissed about them not performing well after an exhibition match and had them on the ice skating at full speed back and forth for over an hour.
