“I’m not hooking up with anyone,” I interrupt. “And this is exactly why I keep things private. I’m anadult. It’s about time you and Ethan recognized that. I can make my own decisions about my life. I don’t need lectures. If I wanted your advice, I’d ask for it. And the last thing I want is you two running off to Dad and setting him off. No thank you.”
“So itisa Manatee,” Jamie says, his eyes narrowing.
Suddenly I lose my cool. I thought in a moment like this—when someone stumbled onto the truth—I’d panic. Continue totry and lie my way out of it, with my heart racing in my chest and a sick feeling in my stomach.
But right now?
I’m freaking pissed off.
And I decide it’s time to tell Jamie exactly how I feel.
“You know, Jamie, you and Ethan have run interference for my entire dating life, and I’msickof it. I know you had teammates in the past who wanted to ask me out, and you two scared the shit out of anyone who came close to me. I thought it would end when you started your professional careers, yet here we are. I know I can’t stop you from telling Ethan or Dad, but that would piss me off. I know how this looks. Believe me, I know. I know the implications for Dad and the player involved. You asked what kind of player would date the coach’s daughter? Well, I’m going to tell you.
“The player who made this choice is not an asshole, like you think he is. Or looking for a forbidden hookup,” I continue, my voice shaking angrily. “We both tried to be just friends. But we couldn’t because there’s something between us. Something so much more than a hookup. We know the consequences of what we’re doing, but because we have found something special in each other, we’re willing to risk it. He is risking everything just for a chance to get to know me.Everything.”
Jamie stares at me, looking absolutely shocked. As if he doesn’t know who I’ve become. And all it does is fuel me to keep going.
“He is the kind of man who listens when I speak,” I say, my voice shaking with anger. “Who makes me laugh. Who has spenthourswith me, and we haven’t even come close to having sex. The last time I saw him? He was happy to sit on the floor and play with Mochi and Matcha and hang out with me. So if this is the quote-unquote dangerous player you’re worried about, you can just stop it. I have not told Dad because we want to get toknow each other. If we get serious, then we will go to him—and not ask permission, but toinformhim we’re dating. Now, you can go off and tell Mom and Dad if you feel the need to freaking tattle on me. Do it if you don’t want to treat me like an adult. But know if you do, you’re going to change the relationship between us, and that’s on you.”
The words have all come out in a rush, and I have to take a big breath after speaking. My heart is slamming angrily against my ribs, and I’m shaking with anger.
Yes, I’ve played my hand here, and it’s a dangerous one. If Jamie goes to Dad, it will ruin everything between me and Aiden. Aiden might be furious that I’ve told Jamie this much, let alone having my dad find out.
But I’ve still concealed his identity.
I glare at Jamie, who is still staring at me in shock. “Well?” I snap.
“Are you done? You kind of had a monologue going.”
“Yes.”
He nods. “Okay. Well, you’ve made your point.”
Hm. Better response than I thought I’d get, but still disappointing that he hasn’t come over to my side.
“Is it Aiden Wentworth?” Jamie asks quietly.
I suck in a shocked breath. How did he know?How?
I don’t say anything. I can’t. I won’t.
“Scar, if you had to date a player on Dad’s team, that’s the guy I’d want you to date,” he finally says.
What?
“Why?” I ask, curious.
“You’re right. We’re not all assholes. Or players off the ice. I mean, if you told me you were dating Beckham Bailey, I’d recite a monologue to you right back on all the reasons you should run from that guy. He’s freaking trouble. Or Wyatt Wentworth. Thatdude is hookup only, and I do NOT need to know if that’s your thing. I’m yourbrother,” he says with pure disgust.
Despite myself, I laugh at that, and Jamie gives me a small smile.
“I could name other guys on that team that you should run from. But Aiden? Dad has always talked highly of him. How dedicated he is, that he seems to have a good head on his shoulders, that he’s one of the guys he never has to worry about. He seems like your type. Am I right?”
“I’m not going to say. I can’t tell you that without talking to him first.”
“It’s Aiden. I know it is.”
I don’t say anything.
