The woman announced his name, and all the pieces clicked into place. “Let me introduce the Boston Bruins’ new coach, Mark King.”
Fuck. I tried to push down the rage bubbling inside me as I stared at the asshole who’d practically abandoned the most amazing girl I’d ever met, but my grip tightened on his, not letting his hand go when I really fucking should’ve.
“You’re Sidney’s dad?” I practically spat the question, unable to hold back just how pissed I was.
My new coach pulled his hand from mine, breaking our awkward handshake, and stared me down. “So, you’re the guy.”
“I’m the guy.” My blood pulsed in my ears. They looked so fucking similar, him just a hyper-masculine version of her, and my brain finally caught up to the fact Sidney had never told me her dad was a coach.
He must have seen my confusion because he continued, keeping his voice low so as not to tip off the press as to what we were talking about. All they’d see is a regular first meeting between a coach and player. “You know, I’m not surprised she hasn’t mentioned me. She’s never been a fan of fame or anything that comes with it.”
His words confirmed my thoughts. This fucktwit asshole coach is Sid’s dad.
He didn’t notice the tension that filled my shoulders. “She’s pissed that I don’t see her much, but that’s pro hockey life. I don’t have to tell you; you know how it is. Who’s got time to head back?”
For fuck’s sake.
This whole time, I thought Sidney didn’t want to stay together once I was on tour because she was afraid of the unknown, but it was clear now that she knew exactly what she was afraid of. Rage roiled in my stomach.
“No, I don’t get it. Your daughter is fucking spectacular. What is wrong with you?” I hissed the words at him.
Sid’s dad—her dad—shrugged at me. “You’re new to this, kid. Trust me, one day very soon, you’ll understand.” His hand landed on my arm, and I flinched. “Before you know it, there will be a million people pulling you in a million different ways. Everyone will want a piece of you. Me, the girls, the fans, the press. Young players always think they’ll be able to balance a normal life, but it’s not possible.” He patted my shoulder. “We’re better off as lone wolves.”
I shook off his hand, and my skin tightened with the effort to keep it together. I didn’t want to be a lone wolf. No wonder she hated everything about this life. This was the example her dad had set all these years?
“Sid’s fucking amazing,” I snapped at him, my voice carrying through the room. I barely noticed the press staring at us as rage exploded from me until I was screaming at him. “She loves you. You can’t even make time to see her? You can’t take a fucking weekend out of your schedule?”
His eyebrows rose at my tone. “Kid, you’re fucking close to ruining your career. No girl is worth that.”
“She’s your fucking daughter.” My hands tightened into fists. “Not. Worth. It? You have no fucking idea what you’ve been missing.”
“You’re making a mistake, Ryder.” He didn’t look sorry for what he’d done. The asshole looked smug.
I lost control of my anger and shoved him hard until he stumbled back. I took advantage of his off-balanced position and slammed my fist into his face, enjoying the loud crack of bone. “My only mistake was not choosing her.”
Noise in the room came crashing back around me as I looked away from her dad. Every reporter in here had their camera pointed at me and was excitedly speaking into their microphone.
I took one last look at Sid’s dad, glaring up at me from the floor. “Asshole.” I stepped over him, walked out of the room, and called my manager.
He answered immediately. “What the hell, Jax. You know you just ruined your career.”
“Get me a meeting with the manager for the Senators,” I demanded and hung up the phone. Sidney better be ready because I was coming for her. This time, I wasn’t letting go.
SIDNEY
Mia: Facetime 5 minutes.
Me: I’m in the middle of something right now.
Who cared that “something” referred to bingeing back-to-back reality TV shows on my Saturday night. They didn’t need to know how pathetic my life had become. The shrill ring of FaceTime interrupted my show as a window popped up on my laptop screen. I was about to close it when Anthony’s text came through.
Anthony: Answer the call, Cupcake. You’re going to want to see this.
Curiosity officially piqued, I clicked the Accept button and was immediately met with two giddy faces.
“This had better be good.”
“You have no fucking idea.” Anthony’s wide smile took up most of his face as he typed something into the chat. “Sent you the link.”
I hesitated a moment too long, and Mia groaned. “Just click it.”
The link brought me to a sports news site, and apprehension settled in my gut. I met my best friends’ faces. “Guys, I don’t want to hear anything about him.”
“Oh, honey, this you’re going to want to see,” Mia insisted, and I clicked Play.
The newscaster was talking in front of a paused video, but I was too focused on Jax’s still image to process what he said. Jax looked good, hair in his signature ruffled state, and he was rocking that adorable dimple of his. It was a sweet, torturous type of pain to see him living his new life. For how much it hurt to be separated, I was so fucking proud of him.
I sucked in a breath when the newscaster played the video. The image of Jax standing as a man walked into the press conference room took up the full screen. I sucked in a sharp breath as my dad grasped Jax’s hand. Holy shit.
I searched the screen for the title, and there in bold letters was “New Coach for the Boston Bruins Meets This Year’s Star Rookie.” The air in my lungs started to burn, and I was forced to let it out. “What the hell is happening?”
“Just keep watching.” Anthony startled me—I’d forgotten they were there.
My dad and Jax stood close together, having a low, private conversation the microphones couldn’t pick up. Even without words, I could see Jax’s growing agitation. The muscles in his neck ticked, and his hands fisted at his side. Whatever they were talking about, Jax didn’t like it.
My dad pulled back and put his hand on Jax’s shoulder, continuing to talk. He looked at ease, obviously not seeing the rage written across Jax’s face.
“Sid’s fucking amazing.” Jax’s voice carried through the room. Jesus. They were talking about me. It felt like seconds before Jax pushed my dad backward, and I held my breath, watching them. Jax was fighting my dad. Jax was fighting my dad, for me!
I gasped when Jax landed a punch and laid my dad out on the floor. “My only mistake was not choosing her.”
He punched him. He punched my dad. My heart stopped, then doubled in speed as his words sank in. Gratitude and terror pummeled me at what he’d done. He’d just publicly ruined his career. All because he knew how much my dad hurt me. There was no way he’d be allowed to play for the Bruins now. Pain lanced my heart, and my eyes burned with tears. I couldn’t let him do this.