Page 58 of Pucking Forbidden

“Someone has to,” he chuckles.

I huff a quiet laugh, already opening it. We sit there for a minute in comfortable silence, drinking our water, before I speak again. I love that he doesn't push. That the silence between us is never uncomfortable or forced. He just knew from texts alone that this was what I needed, and I want to tell him everything, so I break the silence.

“I had a job interview a few days ago.”

He glances over at me with an arched brow. “Yeah?”

I nod. “At the rink Millie takes her skating lessons. It’s only a part-time job, but it’s something I’d really enjoy doing.”

The corners of his mouth lift. “Hell yeah.”

“I got it,” I tell him before taking another bite.

“Congratulations,” he bumps me with his shoulder. “That’s what’s up.”

I nod, then hesitate. “My dad doesn’t think so. He wouldn’t even let me tell him about it and just stated I couldn’t do it. That I don’t need to. It was…awful. Now I’m wondering if I should quit before I even start.”

He’s quiet for a second before stating, “You shouldn’t.”

I look at him with a frown.

“That’s it?” I ask. “Just shouldn’t? Fuck the consequences?”

“That’s it,” he nods. “Look, if you want a different life, you have to stop letting him hold the blueprint. You start making choices that are actually yours, and you own them, the good, the bad, and the ugly. You have to follow whatever path feels right to you, Hadley.”

I swallow hard, looking down at my hands. “It’s just…he’s my dad. I don't want to lose him.”

Julian’s expression softens, the hard edge of his advice giving way to something steadier. “You won't. At the end of the day, he’s still your father. He might get furious, but he loves you. He just has to learn that loving you means letting you be your own person, but he’s never going to learn that until you show him.”

I exhale slowly. Fuck, he’s right. He makes it sound so easy, but I’ve been doing everything the way I’m supposed to for as long as I can remember, and it’s hard to think about outright disobeying my father. Still, I want this job, and I want Dad to know I’m capable of making my own decisions.

“Okay,” I murmur. “Yeah, you’re right.” I glance back up at him. “I’ll keep the job.”

He studies me for a second.

Then, as his lips curl into a slow grin, he rumbles, “That’s my girl.”

The words steal my breath, and I look away as something tightens in my chest and my heart hammers so hard, I’m surprised he can’t hear it echoing across the empty rink.

CHAPTER TWENTY: TOO CLOSE

JULIAN

I’m already awake when my phone buzzes on the little table next to me. I don’t move from my seat on my bedroom’s small balcony, my fingers wrapped around a lukewarm mug of black coffee as I stare out into the gray dawn.

Going back to bed isn't an option. I glance through the open glass door toward the tangled sheets, already dreading the nightmares that are waiting for me the next time I close my eyes. It's easier to just stay out here, letting the biting morning air keep me anchored.

It’s not just the nightmares keeping my head spinning today. My mind keeps drifting back to the rink yesterday. Those moments holding her against my chest. The memory of her small frame melting into mine, the soft scent of her hair…I want to wrap myself around her. Never let the outside world touch her again.

But then, I’m visualizing those same delicate arms wrapped around someone else. I’m seeing Theo’s hands on her waist, pulling her close, making her laugh. The mere thought of another man touching her hits me like a physical blow, sparking a dark coil of jealousy in my gut.

When the phone buzzes a second time, I finally set my coffee down and reach for it. I squint against the glare of the screen as the text message comes into focus.

A faint, tired smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth.

Hadley: First day today

Suddenly, I’m wide awake. I sit up and press my back against the headboard. That’s right, she’s starting at the recreation center today. I’m so proud of her for taking the job.