Page 93 of The Big Puck

Glancing at Lainey calms me because she looks like she wants to jump across the table and fight him here and now with her fists. I smile, a real and inappropriate smile, but I’m done holding in smiles. There’s too much power in them.

Gavonza grumbles, turns red. “What the fuck, Logan? What are you going to do with ten percent of a no good money losing proposition?”

“I’m going to make it into a winning, money-making franchise. With the help of my team.”

He snorts.

“My third demand—brace yourself old man because I saved the best for last.”

He looks up at me, turning from red to white as if I’m about to cut off his balls. Maybe I am, metaphysically speaking.

“You transfer your remaining share of ownership and control under the NHL agreement and your partnership to your daughter.”

He shoots from his seat. “What the—” Then he collapses and clutches his chest. “Tina.” He gasps, staring at her.

She goes to him and touches his forehead. “It’ll be okay, daddy. We’ll hire a professional general manager and Stonewell will find someone to step up as CEO.”

“To hell with that,” Stonewell says. “I’ll step up as CEO myself. Why should I let someone else have all the fun? I like this team.”

Chapter 37

SPENCER

We win the first round of the playoffs in five games and we’re celebrated as the Cinderella team in the press. Jason scores his fifty-ninth goal and there’s whispers about him for league MVP .Dumas is in the running for rookie of the year.

But what causes the lump of overwhelming emotion in my throat tonight is that they give me all the credit. My whole team does. Rafe gives the official speech.

The second round doesn’t start for a week so I officially give the team permission to go out and celebrate. I invite Lainey to come with me and Jason doesn’t like it, still doesn’t understand.

We’re at our official whole in the wall bar and for once the regulars acknowledge us and celebrate with us, buying us too many beers. Jason’s eyeing me from the other end of our long table.

“Excuse me a minute,” I say to Lainey.

I motion to Jason to meet me out back. I step outside into the alley near the bay and the sea air never smelled so good. Jason comes outside, head down.

“Coach. What’s up?”

“Call me Spence. This isn’t about hockey.”

His head snaps up and he looks at me with wary eyes. “It’s about Lainey.” His jaw tenses and I work like fuck to stay calm. I know he’s still bothered by the idea of us together.

I nod. “We’re together, Jase. We—”

“I don’t want to fucking hear it. You’re no good for her and you know it. She’s young, and has a heart as big as the world. And you—you’re an old cynical bastard who likes to be in control, ruthless—”

“I love her.”

He snorts. “Of course you do. But you’re no good for her.”

It’s hard to argue since I’ve thought the same thing for so long. “I swear I love her more than life. More than hockey. I will never take advantage of her generosity. I swear I’ll try like hell to give her more.” My voice shakes and I run a hand through my hair. My hand shakes too.

He remains silent. “Fuck. She’s stuck on you. I can see it. And she loves Krissy.” He looks at his feet. “You swear you’ll worship her?” He looks up at me, his eyes without the edge now.

I nod. He nods.

“Glad we had this talk coach. Let’s never repeat it again.”

I blow out a breath. “Amen to that.” Because just because I can find the strength to bare my emotions doesn’t mean I enjoy it. Except when I’m baring myself to Lainey. In every sense of the word.