Coach shouldn’t have any beef with me, though.
I did as I promised — stayed home, trained hard, stayed out of trouble.
Turns out, that last part was tougher than expected.
And I’m not sure if Tori was the solution…or the problem.
Because she’s all I’m thinking about when I’m not on the ice — and that’s a real fucking issue.
The owner’s daughter isn’t exactly a prime dating candidate.
“Steele. My office. Now.” Prince barks at me from the gate and I swallow hard over the lump in my throat.
Either the man’s psychic or the league’s made a decision.
I’m hoping the latter.
Skating off the ice, I slide my blade guards on and follow behind him through the tunnel. I’m sweaty from practice and fresh perspiration dampens my armpits. My heart’s racing, and it’s not from lack of a proper cool down. Prince doesn’t make any small talk as we move down the bright hallway, and I don’t bother trying.
He opens his office door and stalks inside, crashing down into the rolling chair behind his desk. I take a seat across from him and wait. Prince doesn’t say anything. Just turns to his computer and starts typing.
Minutes tick by.
What the hell am I doing here? And what are we waiting for?
My right knee bobs up and down. I drum my thigh with my fingertips to the beat in my head.
“You need to lay off the caffeine, Steele.” Prince growls at his monitor, not bothering to make eye contact.
“Sorry, sir.” I kick my legs out, clasp my restless hands to keep them still. “Um, what am I doing here?”
“The league made their decision.”
My gut knots, hard and tight.
“And?” My voice tips up with anxiety, even though I’m trying to stay chill.
“Sorry I’m late, Daddy. The call with the investors ran late.” Tori glides into the office, taking the seat next to me.Her perfume drifts in my direction as she settles into the leather, and my dick instantly hardens.
Not the time, champ.
I shift in my chair, adjusting the situation and avoiding her gaze.
“No problem. Bennett’s back in the lineup.”
Cool relief floods my system and I pump my fist in the air.
“Hell yeah. I’m back.”
“Not so fast.” Prince plants his palms on the desk and levels a hard stare at me. “The league’s watching you — and the team — closely. The rest of the season at a minimum.”
“O-kay…” I draw out the word, my relief evaporating under his glare. “What does that mean?”
“You’re on the roster, but nothing else changes. The rules are the same. You stay in the condo — and you answer to Tori.”
“What?” Tori’s hands grip the armrests of her chair. “Daddy — Bennett’s proven himself.”
Her words hit me hard straight in the chest.
