Page 437 of Ruthless Court

“I am not telling Coach Goodwin our entire relationship.”

“You don't have to.”

He folds his arms.

“Tell him it isn't about her basketball knowledge. Tell him you want to spend Christmas with Hannah and her family, but you're not willing to do it if your presence turns the holiday into a three-day film session.”

I stare.

Dad continues.

“Make him understand the rules before you walk into that house.”

“Rules.”

“Yeah.”

“You want me to give my girlfriend's father rules about Christmas in his own house.”

“You're scared.”

“I am not.”

“You look scared.”

Mom smiles into her coffee.

“He looks terrified.”

I point at Dad.

“She is going to kill me.”

Mom reaches across the table and pats my wrist.

“No.”

“She specifically said⁠—”

“She’s going to understand why you did it.”

“You have not met Hannah.”

“I don't need to.”

Mom's expression turns serious.

“You aren't forcing yourself into her holiday, Kane. You're trying to fix the part she doesn't know how to bridge.”

That shuts me up.

Dad nods.

“She shouldn't have to choose between the man she loves and repairing things with her father.”

The man she loves.

The words hit differently every time.