"A bad game?" He laughs without humor. "You played like a junior varsity reject."
"We all had a bad night."
"I don't care about the rest of them. I care about you."
"I had an off game. It's not the end of the world."
"It is when you're trying to prove you deserve a spot on an NHL team!" His voice rises. "Do you have any idea how hard I'veworked to get you these opportunities? Do you know how many strings I've pulled? How many favors I've called in?"
"I didn't ask you to do any of that."
"You didn't have to ask! I'm your father! It's my job to open doors for you!" He takes a breath. "But you're making it very difficult when you keep sabotaging yourself."
"I'm not sabotaging anything."
"Really? Because from where I'm sitting, you've done nothing but sabotage yourself since that girl moved into your house."
And there it is.
"Don't," I warn.
"Don't what? Don't point out the obvious? You broke your hand in a fight over her. You're distracted, unfocused, and playing like garbage. All because of her."
"It’s a broken finger. Been there, done that. It’s hockey, not powder-puff football."
"This isn't a request. Get rid of her now, before you lose dev camp. Before you lose Seattle. Before you lose everything."
"I'm not breaking up with Sutton because you think she's a distraction."
"She IS a distraction! Can't you see that?"
"What I see is you trying to control every aspect of my life! My career, my relationships, and my choices!" My voice is rising now. "I'm done letting you dictate who I can be with!"
"You're being ridiculous. I'm trying to protect your future."
"You're trying to protectyourfuture. Your legacy." I'm pacing now, my free hand clenched into a fist. "Everything I do has to serve your agenda. Everything I want has to align with your vision. You've never cared about what I want. Only about what you want me to want."
"I care about you not throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity over some girl!"
"She's not some girl! I love her!"
"Then you're a fool."
“I guess I am.”
I end the call and exhale.
The man is never going to stop.
But neither will I. I know what I want, and it’s not his dream.
Chapter Ten
SUTTON
Iwake up to Declan's mouth on my neck.
"Mm, what time is it?" I mumble, still half-asleep.
