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“She’s an amazing woman. You should be very proud of her. And I’d never do anything to get in the way of her school. Jolie volunteers to help with Joey. She likes being part of the group. You know, the players and wives. Everyone likes her.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I’ve seen you looking at her, Boone. You seem to like her more than everyone else.”
Our eyes remained locked as a few tense seconds of silence passed. I wasn’t going to deny it because I wasn’t a coward or a liar. Coach didn’t seem to get that his daughter was gorgeous, warm, and smart—every man who saw her probably wished she were his.
“There’s one obvious solution to this,” I said.
He scoffed. “It’ll be a cold day in hell when I give you my blessing to date my daughter.”
His words hit me like a physical blow, but I didn’t let it show. I wasn’t a womanizer or an asshole. He made me out to be some nightmare of a boyfriend, and I didn’t deserve that.
“That’s not what I meant,” I said, my tone cold. “You know I want a trade to Nashville. Just trade me and I’ll be out of your hair.”
He exhaled hard. “You know that’s not just my decision.”
“You’ve got the power to make it happen and we both know it.”
I was pretty sure he would have thrown the remote again if it was within arm's reach.
“I can’t trade one of my first-line players when we’re tied for first place in the standings,” he said, his tone weary. “But I’ll make you a deal. Stay away from my daughter—both you and your nephew—and at the end of the season, you’ll get your trade.”
I shook my head. “I need it sooner.”
He didn’t give a shit about my brother or his illness, so I didn’t bother going into it. I actually felt protective of my family after the way he’d talked about Joey. He didn’t deserve to know the details of why I wanted the trade.
“Why?” he asked.
“That’s my business.”
“Did you get someone in Nashville pregnant?”
I wanted to quit hockey on the spot and walk out of the room because fuck him. I didn’t sleep with every willing woman I met, unlike some of my teammates. Coach was just hell-bent on being an asshole to me.
I couldn’t quit, though. The money I made would take care of everyone in my family. Andy, Carrie, and Mason. Emma and Joey. My mom. I wouldn’t let my pride get in the way of their security.
“Does it matter why I want the trade?”
He looked smug. “That’s it, isn’t it? You’ve got a baby on the way.”
How had someone as sweet and warm as Jolie been raised by this guy? I’d lost all respect for my coach in a matter of five minutes. Only my closest friends on the team knew about my brother, and none of them would ever repeat my business.
I hated that I had to rely on Gizzard for my trade, but I did. He had the power to make or break me, which meant he had the power to make or break my family.
“Okay, deal,” I said, not even looking at him again as I turned and left the room.
My stomach was knotted in anger. I really liked Jolie, and I wanted to keep seeing her for as long as I could. But I was going to Nashville at the end of the season, and she could end up anywhere.
I had to make a sure move.
“Hey,” I said to Wes when I caught up with him. “Will you ask Hadley to make sure Joey stays with her for this whole road trip? She can have your nanny help. I’ll pay her.”
He furrowed his brow. “Yeah, I’ll do that. What’s up?”
I shook my head. “I can’t tell you right now. I just need Hadley to keep him until I get home and can hire my own nanny to help out.”
“Dude, you don’t need to do that. Between Hadley, Jolie, and Sheridan”
I put a hand out to stop him. “I’ll tell you about it later. For now, just trust me.”
