OK Daddy.
After Rockford, I didn’t fall apart. I got disciplined. Finished school early. Took every certification the league required. I’m building a reputation.
It leaves no room forhim.
The door swings open before I even reach it.
Elena Russo doesn’t knock so much as announce her presence.
She steps inside like she belongs here, all effortless confidence and muted elegance. Dark, glossy hair falls over one shoulder in loose waves. She’s dressed in a cream sweater, fitted jeans, and flats. On her, it reads like it’s out of a magazine spread instead of an outfit pulled from a closet ten minutes ago.
There’s a softness to her at first glance that makes lying to her a waste of time. She’s the only person I’ve ever completely confided in about Rockford. Talia is never good with the emotional part.
“You’re home early,” she says, stepping inside with a bottle of wine already in hand. “Which means something went wrong.”
I huff out a breath. “That obvious?”
She studies me for half a second. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”
I let out a muted laugh. “Worse.”
That gets her attention. She sets the wine on the counter and leans back against it, crossing her arms.
“Okay,” she says. “Start talking.”
I hesitate. Because saying his name out loud makes this real. But she’s the only one I told. “It’s him,” I say.
Her brows draw together. “Rockford him?”
I nod.
“Max.” Recognition flashes instantly. “The hockey player.”
“You mean the problematic player,” I clarify.
“The one you pretend didn’t matter,” she counters.
I ignore that.
“They assigned me to him.”
Silence drops between us for a beat. “Oh, that’s bad.”
I stare at the wall, nodding. “Yeah.”
Elena tilts her head. “And how did he react?”
His eyes locked onto mine. He stilled in his tracks. I’d knocked the air out of him. “He recognized me,” I answer. “And?”
“And nothing,” I lie. “I handled it.”
Her expression says she doesn’t believe me for a second. “Toni.”
Turning, I take two glasses. “It was two years ago,” I say. “It doesn’t matter.”
Elena doesn’t move. “Then why do you look like that?”
I freeze. Because I don’t have a suitable answer. She softens, her voice gentler now.
