“We just have to be honest with Craig.” Cam puts his arms around me. “I’m sorry about this, Vannah. Your dad is…” he trails off with a shake of his head.
“I know. There are no words, really.”
Cam turns in a circle, taking in my entire office. “Did you stay here just because of him?”
“Maybe. You know, it’s comfortable. It’s familiar.”
As a way to avoid eye contact with Cam, I begin to tidy the packing slips on my desk.
“You think if you keep his office just the way he wanted, he’ll forgive you for the fact that the Cannons lost that game? Have you been doing penance all these years?”
I stop straightening and raise my eyes to meet Cam’s.
“I just wanted him to be happy is all. But I also was angry, and maybe a small part of me stayed for revenge.” I’ve never even thought that last part to myself, but as I say it aloud, I realize it’s true.
“How so?”
“I think I’ve always fantasized about beating him.”
“We did that last night. So you must mean in the finals.”
Our eyes catch.
“I suppose that would be the cherry on top, yes,” I say slowly, turning over the concept in my mind.
“Hmmm.” Cam grins at me. “So if we win, you’ll quit?”
I widen my eyes. “Quit? The Cannons?”
Cam catches my hands in his. “Yes.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I try to pull away, but he laces his fingers with mine.
“It is a good idea.” He gestures to my dance bag in the corner. “I know you want to. I’ve seen the way your face changes when you look at my Montana pictures. I know you want to dance out there. And you deserve the best, Savannah.” Now his mouth is on my lips, and he kisses me so softly I stop resisting him. “You’re going to get your dreams. I know you are.”
* * *
At noon, Cam and I walk into Craig’s office and take the two seats across from his desk. Craig watches us with a stern look on his face. I fidget while Cam keeps his hard gaze firmly on Craig, and for a few moments, nobody speaks.
Then Craig pulls out the handbook from his top drawer. “As the handbook states, and as you two are both well aware, no fraternizing between players and other employees.” He points between us. “Are you two having a fling?”
“No,” we both say immediately.
“No?” Craig frowns. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
“Look, Coach,” Cam says. “This is none of your business, but because of some stupid rule I have to explain myself. So I will. Savannah and I are together. And I’ll leave the team before I leave her. I’ll do anything before I leave her. This isn’t a ‘fling’ and it’s not ending.”
Craig’s mouth drops open. “So you two are serious.”
“Right,” Cam says firmly. “And you can either take us as is, and ignore the handbook, or I quit. You’re not going to fire Vannah. That’s not an option. You can’t do anything in this place without her, and you know it.”
Craig bangs his desk in frustration. “Fine. Rules were made to be broken, I suppose. I didn’t make up the damn rule, anyway. I’m just kicking myself that I missed this. You two seemed so close. Too close. But I ignored my gut. Until I got the anonymous tip.”
“Coach,” I say. “Do you have any clue who the anonymous tip was from?”
Craig gives me a second look. “Doyou?”
I tilt my head in the general direction of the rink. “You do realize who we played last night, don’t you? And we’re in the playoffs, Craig. People can’t ignore us anymore.”
