His expression changed, and my pulse throbbed in my throat.
“Haley,” he said.
The gap between us was small enough that I could see the exact shade of green in his skin and the scar above his left eyebrow. The chip in his left tusk, probably from playing hockey. I inanely wondered if orcs saw the orthodontist just like humans did between seasons.
My father’s voice carried from the open office ahead. It sounded like he was on the phone, though his voice held that particular tone that meant he was finishing the conversation.
Tolrek stepped back, his expression empty.
I walked past him on legs I had to concentrate on. One foot. The other.
The corridor felt like it went on forever.
My father looked up when I entered, smiling, setting his phone down on the desk.
“Perfect timing,” he said, his gaze falling to my hands. “Is that the package?”
“Yes.” I set the folder and thumb drive on his desk. “Everything’s tagged and ready for tomorrow’s meeting.”
“You’re the best.” He dragged the folder closer and flipped open the cover, scanning the contents. “This looks great. Their power play kill tell is going to be huge for us.”
“I think so too.”
We talked through the package. My voice sounded normal. My hands didn’t shake.
When I left his office, the corridor was empty. I returned to my desk with only a few hours left until my session with Tolrek.
I’d barely sat down when I sensed him nearby.
I made myself breathe before I looked.
He stood in the opening, one hand on the frame. Not crossing the threshold.
Again.
“If they resurface the ice before the meeting tomorrow, the session room will be cold,” he said. “It runs cold through that side of the building for a few hours after.” His gaze dropped to my computer before returning to meet mine. “You might want to bring a jacket.”
We both knew I’d worked in this building long enough to know exactly how the resurfacing affected the temperature on that side.
From what Brashe had said, I knew what it might mean if I invited him in. He would cross the threshold if I asked, and nothing after that would be the same. I also understood thatI was the coach’s daughter. Our session was only a short time away.
“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll bring one.”
He nodded and left like before.
I stared at the empty doorway for a very long time. Then I pulled up his old tape from before the injury and the trade, and watched him move across the ice with a certainty he didn’t know he’d lost.
CHAPTER SIX
TOLREK
Ifound the corridor outside her office empty at ten minutes to four. I’d been early to everything since I was old enough to lace skates. Being early meant control. It gave me time to adjust, read the room if I needed to, and decide how much of myself I’d let show before anyone else arrived to witness it.
I’d stood at her threshold three times today without crossing it.
This time was different. The session was scheduled. She’d prepared footage. I’d agreed to this like all players agreed to film review, the necessary work of getting better.
I’d repeated this to myself for the past two hours.
