“Let’s talk after,” I tell him. “I just need time to think.”
* * *
Cameron
I walk away from Savannah, and as soon as I’m out of her line of sight, I punch the wall.
I want to drag her away from here and make love to her for hours, and I’m frustrated with myself for not sensing this might happen if we won. I knew she might feel conflicted, but I didn’t realize I lost her as soon as her father caught her eye from the back of the rink. Of course, I saw him. I just pretended not to.
It’s not until I’m in the shower that my pulse calms down and I start to breathe normally. And that’s when it hits me.
“Fuck,” I say out loud. “She’s right.”
Savannah and I do need a little time apart to process what this win means to each of us.
I need to let go just as much as she does; I just didn’t know it.
Hockey has been my entire life. Battling my father is such a part of my identity that I can hardly imagine what things will be like without that endless war going on.
Savannah is the only woman for me. She’s who I want—to be my wife, my partner, my everything. But I have to fix my shit with my own dad, say goodbye to my team, and get my future plans in order before I can give her all of me.
* * *
Savannah
When I return to the table, Flora and Tara are gone.
I glance around the nearly-empty café, but they’re nowhere in sight.
“Where’d they go?” I ask, a sinking feeling in my gut.
“I sent them home.” My father scowls.
I take the seat across from him, and his angry gaze levels me.
“I can’t believe you beat your own father. I never thought you’d do something like that. Not you, Vannah.”
Like always, I don’t know what triggered his abrupt change in mood.
But I’m tired of taking the blame. This time, I can’t tear myself in half for years trying to figure him out.
I’m still the only one around to deal with him. My sisters called it my strength when we were growing up. I’m starting to think he’s just my weakness.
“You’re not going to come work for me, are you?” he grumbles.
“No.” I shake my head. “But your request isn’t about me. Not really.”
“Of course it is. I want us to work together again.”
“That’s not your real reason,” I say. “It’s because of Cam. Isn’t it?”
His face turns red, and he mutters something under his breath.
“What did you say?” I ask.
“Of course, I want Cam,” he says in a biting tone. “What coach wouldn’t? The guy’s a winner.”
“So you used the fact that I have a personal relationship with him to try to get a two for one. Me and him.”
