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This thing with Connor has gone on long enough. If it was happening to a colleague or friend, I’d urge them to talk to someone and put a stop to it. Between this and signing the lease, I’m doing all the hard things today.
“Thanks for meeting with me on short notice,” I tell him before taking a deep breath.
My heart pounds, but I remind myself that Connorkissedme. It was unprofessional and gross and went against everything the team promotes. I don’t know why this is nerve-racking.
Maybe because we egged Connor on all season. We purposefully made him jealous. A tiny part of me whispersthis is your fault, but I squash that voice like a bug.
It wasn’t okay, even if Connor was jealous.
Rory’s hand slips into my lap, squeezing my fingers, and my nerves settle.
“The night of the charity event,” I tell Ward, “Connor McKinnon got very drunk and kissed me. I told him to back off and he wouldn’t.”
Revulsion climbs up my throat, putting a bad taste in my mouth. Alarm flashes in Ward’s eyes as he listens.
“I don’t want to be his physio anymore.”
Ward’s jaw tightens. “You’re definitely not his physio anymore.” His eyes meet mine, and I see fury and regret. “I’m so sorry, Hazel. McKinnon is benched until this is resolved. I need to think more about his future with the team.” His throat works. “What can we do to support you? Whatever resources you need, they’re available.”
I shake my head, letting a breath out of my tight lungs. Ward’s concerned reaction is already calming me. “I’m okay. Thank you for taking it seriously.”
“Of course. If you change your mind, you know where to find me. I’ll back you up.” His brow furrows harder and he shakes his head. “I’m so sorry, again.”
“I know.” I give Ward a tight smile, squeezing Rory’s hand. “Thanks.”
* * *
In the hall outside, Rory puts his hands on my shoulders to stop me and searches my eyes.
“You okay?”
I nod, mouth twisting. “I wish the whole thing hadn’t happened, and talking to Ward wasn’t fun, but I’m glad we did.”
“Me, too.” He pulls me into his chest and gives me a tight, warm hug, pressing his mouth to my temple. “I’m proud of you.”
“Why?” I lean my head against his sculpted chest, listening to his heartbeat.
“You did the hard thing.”
I hum. “Thank you for coming with me.”
He makes a scoffing noise. “That’s what we do for each other, Hartley.”
The warm-up skate starts soon, so Rory heads down to the arena and I return to our suite, thinking about another hard thing I’ve been putting off. I flick the fireplace on in the living room and sink onto the couch, staring out the windows at the snow-covered mountains surrounding the ski resort.
My mom and I haven’t addressed things since we spoke before the charity event and I lost my cool with her. My parents phoned on Christmas, but Rory and I were on speakerphone with them, Pippa, and Jamie, so the conversation was about easy topics.
Before I change my mind, I’m dialing.
“Hi, honey,” my mom answers.
“Hey.”
“You must be at the League Classic by now.”
“Yeah.” On the suite’s patio, a bird hops around before flying off.
Keep being a safe place for her to land, Pippa said.
