Gideon’s face twisted. “Youfucking idiot.” He leaned in, voice a venomous hiss. “Is her pussythatfucking good? Worth your job? Your reputation?Your son?”
Something in me snapped.
I lunged.
My hand shot out, grabbed his collar, andslammedhim back against the desk. Papers scattered. A pen holder clattered to the floor. His tie tangled in my fist.
“Don’t,” I growled. “Ever. Talk about her like that again.”
Gideon’s eyes burned. He didn’t fight back. Just stared at me like I’d finally lost it.
Maybe I had.
“You’redone,” he spat. “Pack your shit. You’re out.”
I didn’t let go.
“Fine.”
His lips curled. “You’ll never work in this league again.”
I leaned in closer. “Then I’ll burn it down on my way out.”
A beat.
The door burst open.
Paige stood there, chest heaving, eyes wild. She didn’t even look at Gideon. Just at me. “You need to see this.Now.”
She grabbed the remote off Gideon’s desk, stabbed the power button. The flat-screen flickered to life, the volume already cranked.
A press conference.
Nate stood at a podium, mic in hand, NHL logo emblazoned behind him. His hair was perfect. His suit was crisp. His smile was all teeth.
The chyron at the bottom read: “NATE SHAW ADDRESSES FATHER’S SCANDAL”
My stomach dropped.
Paige turned up the volume.
Nate cleared his throat, all practiced humility. “I’ve been asked to comment on the recent allegations involving my father, Calder Shaw, and a player from Crestwood Academy.” He paused, shook his head like he was disappointed but not surprised. “I won’t lie—this has been a shock. My dad’s always been… intense. But this?” Another pause. Another sad smile. “This crosses a line.”
The camera panned to the reporters. Phones up. Eager.
“Billie Donovan was my girlfriend for two years,” Nate continued. “We were together, but it looks like she was cheating on me… With my dad. Even so, to see her name dragged through the mud like this—” He cut himself off, swallowed hard.Oscar-worthy.“I just hope she’s getting the support she needs. Because right now? She’s the victim here.”
The screen cut to a clip—Billie leaving my house, head down, my hoodie swallowing her. The photo from the article, but worse. Grainier. More invasive.
Nate’s voice played over it, smooth as poison. “I don’t know what my father was thinking. But I know Billie. And she didn’t deserve this.” The camera cut back to him, all concern. “Because I know my dad. And he took advantage of her. Put her in positions that she didn't deserve. I wouldn't even be surprised if he… if he took advantage of her."
The screen went black.
Paige turned to me, face pale. “He’s not done.”
Gideon’s laugh was a razor. “Oh, he’sjust getting started.”
I didn’t move.
