AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He looked past me, his gaze going dark. “They’ll look into your history. Your past. Are you sure you’re ready for all that to be brought up?”
“It’s no one’s business,” I argued back, my spine stiffening as indignation flared.
“Honey, no one cares if it’s their business. You’re about to step into the limelight. You need to be prepared for the attention that’s going to come your way.”
His insinuation that I wouldn’t like my college years getting dredged up wounded me more than I expected. My chest tightened, and I curled my fingers around the phone. “I’m ready to face any and all consequences. This is worth it, and anyone who looks down on my projects for what I’ve done in the past isn’t someone I want to work with.”
This time, when he smiled, it reached his eyes. He grasped my shoulder and squeezed like he did with the guys after they’d made him happy. “Alright. Go get ‘em.”
I meant every word. I didn’t care what trouble it brought my way. My dream of advocating for more girls in sports and their equal rights was worth it. I wouldn’t let a little fear keep me from fighting for them.
Jenna whistled into my ear. “Yoohoo? Can I get an answer? The guy’s breathing down my neck asking when he can meet you.”
Watching Dad retreat inside, I took a deep breath to steady my heart. “I’m free next week.”
After we confirmed the date and time, Jenna moved on to other conversations.
“I’m working for Dad,” I informed her with a grin. Anticipating her squeal, I held the phone away from my ear.
Even with my arm fully extended, I heard her shriek and burst out laughing. The sound bounced off the walls as I entered the rink and made my way down the low-ceilinged hallway to my office.
Boxes were stacked outside my doorway, with several more littering the floor inside. I nudged one aside with my foot and surveyed the room with fresh eyes.
“I can’t believe it.” Jenna made a snorting noise. “You have all the luck. I swear, if you call me back in a month and say you’re dating one of them, I might have to stop being your friend.”
The sound of curses and hockey sticks slamming together made me imagine what was going on out on the ice. Was Zachary doing his laps or defending the goal? I’d gotten a good look at him this morning. He had the broad shoulders and thick build of a goalie. I’d love to see him skate. But that was a distraction.
“No worries there.” Even if I found three certain hockey players completely gorgeous. “They’re off-limits, Jenna. No fraternizing with the team. Dad’s rules.”
Jenna paused a full heartbeat. “Damn girl. That just makes them that much more tempting.”
She wasn’t wrong. I couldn’t help nodding my head. Every time I told myself they were off-limits, I wanted them a little bit more.
“You should come to practice with me.” I didn’t know where the thought came from. Maybe it was a plea for help. With Jenna beside me, no one would think twice about the coach’s daughter.Jenna was the epitome of beauty. She turned heads everywhere she went.
Lennox, Justin, and Zachary wouldn’t bother even glancing my way if Jenna was around.
A surge of heat passed through me, hitting so hard and fast that I grabbed the nearest counter to stay upright. What the hell was that?
Jealousy. It took me a second to recognize the flare of envy, but once I did, my cheeks heated.
“I’d love that. But my boss has me working killer hours. Raincheck?” Footsteps sounded through the phone, the soft clack-clack of heels telling me Jenna was on the move. “Listen, I have to go. There’s a big meeting and I’m running late. I’ll call the newspaper and let them know you’re game for an interview.”
“Thanks.” I was talking to empty air. Jenna hung up on me. Not that I was surprised. She had a tendency to do that, and I’d never held it against her since it was a personality trait and not a snub.
I prowled around my office, pulling out the drawers and checking all the cabinets while I decided where I’d put all my stuff. I turned and tripped over one of the larger boxes. My momentum sent me careening into the wall, where I came face-to-face with a blown-up poster of Dad and his team. My hand landed on Justin’s crotch and I snatched it back, face flaming even though no one was there to see me.
The look he’d given me yesterday skated through my mind. I was pretty sure he was into me, but I didn’t know if it was because I was the coach’s daughter and off-limits or if he felt the same kind of genuine attraction I’d felt.
“Not the time, Lucy.” I berated myself while slicing through the tape on the first box. I had more than enough on my plate to keep me busy. The upcoming interview was chief among them.
My hand trembled around a packet of gauze. What if Dad was right? What if the interview dredged up my past and plastered it all over the news? I couldn’t be of that much interest to the press. Right?
5
JUSTIN
Ibusted my ass in practice, and I was still riding the high of getting three pucks past Zachary. Poor bastard must have a bug up his ass from the way he frowned all during practice. I’d never seen him miss so many pucks. Not my problem. I’d let Coach and Lennox sort him out while I did whatever the fuck I wanted.
