Step one, at least. Once I get Graham on the phone, I’m certain I’ll be able to talk him off the ledge.
Suck it, Eleanor.
I hit ‘Reply’ and shoot him a calendar invite, then shove away from my desk. I have one more item of business to handle before the game tonight.
Twenty minutes later, I’m standing outside the management offices at the arena with trembling hands.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.” My father’s deep voice bellows through the solid wood and my stomach clenches, anxiety rippling through me.
I straighten my shoulders and stride in, channeling every ounce of confidence I possess.
This conversation’s not going to be easy.
He spins around and his graying brows fly up, deep furrows etched in his forehead.
“Tori! I didn’t expect to see you. Sit.” He motions at the chair across the desk, the silky fabric of his suit jacket rustling. I slide down into the seat, flashing back to the last time I was in this office, Bennett beside me. How annoyed I was at him — his energy, his ego, his very presence.
Now, I’m desperately wishing he was beside me.
But this is a conversation I need to have alone with myfather. I need to tell him exactly how I feel — and he needs to really hear it.
“I know. I flew in late last night.”
“Fantastic. I knew you’d come. I need you at the game tonight.”
I tuck my hair behind my ear and meet my father’s intense stare. “That’s why I’m here, Daddy.”
He leans forward on his elbows, closing the gap between us. “Don’t give me some bullshit excuse about how you have to go back to New York. You saw the meltdown at the last game. I need you managing Steele.”
I swallow hard over the lump in my throat.“No, Daddy. You don’t. Because Bennett doesn’t need to be managed. He’s an adult — fully capable of taking care of himself.”
My father narrows his eyes at me, his index finger tapping frantically on his mouse. I take advantage of his silence and forge ahead.
“I’m not his babysitter anymore. As of now, I’m resigning my unofficial position.”
“Tori—”
I hold up my palm, stopping him. “Don’t. You used me to manage your roster and I’m done. And I need to tell you something else.”
I take a shuddery breath, heart racing under my father’s calculating gaze.
Messy.
My father could make things tough for Bennett, investors could still choose to leave the fund.
I’ve run every angle. But even knowing all this, I’m not walking away.
“Bennett and I are dating. I wanted you to hear it from me first.”
“Steele? My daughter’s dating the player who was onprobation? The bad boy of hockey?” His face turns red and I briefly worry about his blood pressure.
“Yes. And he’s way more than that.”
“Victoria Anne Prince.” His tone is serious, the one he used the few times I actually got in trouble as a child. He shakes his head, loosening his tie. “Of all the men in the world…”
“Bennett’s the one I love.”
