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“And he said no, and you said okay.”

He looks away.

“Your name is fourteen feet tall on the side of this building,” I say. “You could have made noise. You could have walked out. You’re just too blind to see that he betrayed you like he betrayed me.”

“He’s a good coach,” he says. “He’s not the only one who’s made mistakes.”

“I don’t care if he’s the best coach in the world. He’s a piece of shit. And you’re just as bad for keeping him around. For letting him get away with it. For not defending me.”

“What do you want me to do?” he demands. “Are you seriously asking me to put my own trophy in the ground?”

I scoff. “No. All I wanted was for you to take care of your family and your club.”

“That’s what I did!”

“It’s sad that you think so,” I tell him. “You couldn’t have failed more spectacularly if you had tried.”

I stand up and walk to the door.

“Where are you going?” he asks, following me.

“It was a mistake to come here,” I say, turning to face him. “I’m done with you. You don’t get to be a part of my life anymore.”

I open the door and step out.

“Wait, Alycia Please, don’t go. Let’s talk.”

“No. There’s nothing left to say.”

I don’t look back, even as he calls my name again. I have everything I need, and he’s not part of it.

I make it all the way to the elevator before I have to put my hand flat on the wall for support.

CHAPTER 18 – Ewan

Friday, October 24

It’s been a while since Jared agreed to meet me for lunch, so I don’t know what brought the change of heart now. I’m looking forward to seeing my best friend, but after the consortium fell through, I’m also going in with a chip on my shoulder.

He did his best to try to help me regain control over my club and it’s not his fault it fell through.

I need to keep reminding myself of that. Alycia’s right—the fault is all mine. But I won’t have my own kids throw it in my face, not when they can’t keep their own lives in check.

When I arrive at the Gilded Spoon, Jared is already there, waiting for me at our booth, the same one where I told him a year ago that I was in over my head.

He’s wearing a casual suit, and he’s sipping a glass of iced tea, the same thing he’s ordered here every month for forty years. He smiles when he sees me and stands up to greet me. We hug, and he claps my back.

“Ewan, good to see you,” he says.

“It wasn’t me who disappeared,” I comment, unable to keep the hurt out of my voice.

He sighs and gestures at the seat across from him. “I know, I’m sorry. I just needed some space to make sure my reputation inside the bank didn’t get affected.”

“I understand.” We seat ourselves.

We order our food and make some small talk. He asks me about the club, the season, the players. I answer as briefly as I can, not wanting to get into details, especially now that we’re the Predators.

“And your family?” he asks. “How are they?”