Page 80 of One More Time

“So, I heard the funniest thing.” He took a sip of his drink before hanging the glass at his side, his dark eyes now seeking out mine. I stayed still, trying not to act like I had something to hide.

“No? Not going to bite? Okay…” He nodded his head before continuing, “I overheard a rumor of a certain agent visiting the ice. I also heard he took a particular interest in my son.”

I involuntarily gulped, heat beginning to flush my body as my heart began to race.

“I thought to myself, surely my son would shoot him down. We had a deal, an arrangement. Not to mention my son is now in my debt.” My father closed the gap between us.

“Sir, I—-“

A smack rang out in the quiet room. My cheek burned, a line stinging across the flesh telling me that his signet ring had broken.

“I did not say you could speak.” His voice reverberated off the walls.

I could do no more than nod obediently.

“So, imagine my surprise when my informant sees you at a cafe with said agent, signing papers you have no fucking right to be signing!”

That made me shoot to my feet. “You had me followed!”

My father laughed and I flinched, anticipating another hit. Instead, he walked around his desk.

“Yes, because you have never stayed in line, son. You openly have threesomes with both men and women on a regular basis, you get your body tattooed, skip class and frankly, find every way you can think to rebel. So, I need to keep an eye on you. One, to stop the PR nightmare you could be for me, and two, so I know when to rein you in. You should be lucky I’ve cut you so much slack.”

I wanted to roll my eyes, but I tightened my lips and kept my eyes on him. He shot me a smarmy smile that made my blood run cold.

“I gave you some free rein to be young and stupid because you sure as shit won’t be doing that when you work for me.”

I ground my teeth, the words on the tip of my tongue: I don’t want to work for you.

Seeing my answer in my eyes drew another evil laugh from the man. “Oh, you will work for me, son. Whether you like it or not. I’ll make sure of it.”

The silence that fell over the room was deafening.

“It seems threats don’t work on you, son.” He smacked some photos onto the desk, and I stood, blood rushing in my ears as I saw pictures of me at the ice rink with Tyler and Jamie.

I snapped, “Don’t you dare go near them!” My body vibrated, my hands balling into fists at my side with the need to hit something.

But my father wasn’t threatened by me. He only laughed. “Well, that depends, son. Will you continue to play this happy little family thing?”

I blinked. “It’s my life, Dad. I’m done with this. You can’t keep threatening to hurt people just because you don’t like them.”

“That’s where you are wrong. Who will touch this boy when they find out he is gay? A gay Australian who’s only been on the radar for half a season? No one; he’s a PR nightmare.”

Tyler’s fears rushed through my mind. His entire life was in my hands.

“I see we have reached an agreement. You’ll cut ties with the boy, and then I’ll stay away from him.”

I nodded, because there was nothing else I could do. Though my heart threatened to burst right out of my chest.

“Now for our other issue: hockey.”

I took a step back, noting the change in his tone.

“You took a contract, and you thought I wouldn’t find out?”

I retreated another step.

“It’s what I want to do, Dad. It’s what I love; it’s what makes me happy. Doesn’t that matter to you?”

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