Page 379 of Power Play

“I don’t want her near the locker room, the tunnel, or the Frost section before I play.”

“We’ll make sure she stays away.”

“If one of those teams offers me a contract—” The words caught, and every person in the room became still.

“When one of them offers,” Rider corrected.

I looked at him, and he lifted his coffee.

“Your negativity is bringing down breakfast.”

The corner of my mouth almost moved before I returned my attention to Bliss.

“When an offer comes and I leave, I’m not saying goodbye.”

Her face broke again. “That is your choice.”

“It isn’t punishment.”

“I know.”

“I won’t survive another goodbye with her.”

Bliss sat back on her heels. For the first time since the conversation began, I let the cold ease enough to give her the truth without using it as a weapon.

“I’ll talk to her one day.”

Hope flickered across Bliss’s face, but I stopped it before it became dangerous.

“When it doesn’t kill me,” I said. “That could be months or years, and it may never happen.”

“But if the day comes?”

“If I can look at her without wanting to kiss her or make her hurt, I’ll hear whatever she needs to say.”

Bliss searched my face for something more, but there wasn’t anything else I could give her.

“No promises about what happens afterward,” I said. “No expectation that talking means forgiveness or friendship. It sure as fuck doesn’t mean we get back together.”

“I understand.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.” She wiped her cheeks. “You’ll talk to her one day if it doesn’t kill you.”

I nodded. “Deal?”

Bliss released a shaky breath. “Deal.”

She stood and held out her hand. I stared at it until she raised her eyebrows.

“Friends?” she asked.

“You threatened me before coffee.”

“You deserved it.”

I took her hand and let her pull me up. Bliss wrapped her arms around my waist before I could stop her. My bruised ribs protested, but I didn’t push her away. I rested one hand against the back of her head and let her hug me while Cade watched from the couch.