Page 78 of Power Play

“No, but I have control over if I play in the playoffs, and from what I hear, your little boyfriend might have a good shot at an NHL coaching position if we make it all the way. It would suck for him to lose that opportunity if his lead scorer decided not to play,” Max shrugs, his tone easy like he has no worries in the world.

Manipulative fuck.

What job offer? Rex hasn’t told me about any offers. Shouldn’t he tell me something like that?

“Are you always this much of a prick, Daniels?” Rex asks.

“Maybe not, but it works. So, what’ll it be, coach? My sister, or your dream job? From what I heard tonight, you have a good shot at the New York position, which would be perfect for Rory. Not having to move again,” Max says, manipulating Rex by bringing Rory into this.

Turning to look at Rex, he pauses, obvious tension filling his body, his eyes weary like he’s weighing his options. When a sad look falls in his eyes as he starts to talk, I nearly crumble.

But I cut him off. I refuse to let Max force Rex into choosing between me and his career. That’s not fair. It’s taken him years to make his way back. What kind of person would I be if I actually made him choose? So, I’ll choose for him. I’ll be the one to make the choice for him, because when you care about someone, you always put them first.

“Max, stop,” I shout, tears falling from my eyes. I look at Rex and see his eyes are filled with pain and torment, and I’m positive I’m making the right decision. “You win,” I whisper, barely audible. I’m shaking so bad.

“The fuck? What are you saying, Sawyer?” Rex asks, turning to face me.

“I’m saying no. I’m not worth it. I’m not worth losing your dream over, so Max wins.”

“Sawyer, that’s not your fucking decision to make. You don’t get to tell me what I think is worth it,” Rex snaps.

“But it is. I’ve had my dreams taken from me before. You’ve watched me claw my way out of that mess, helping me along the way. I won’t sit here and let my piece of shit brother take that away.” I tell him, doing my best to remain strong, but the tears keep streaming down my face. “I’m sorry, Rex. You’re better off without me.”

It’s feels like time stops. I thought I had everything, but with one last look, Rex just stands there for a moment, watching me and taking everything in.

Our last moment.

Max is forcing our hand, taking all of the power out of our hands, or at least it feels like that.”

“Plus, Rex, Bernard probably won’t take too kindly to finding out you’re dating my sister. I mean, she does go to the university you coach at, isn’t that against policy?”

Rex still doesn’t say anything, just stands and watches me, understanding finally registering on his face.

“I guess it makes sense. The first time I let myself care about someone, they leave again. I should have seen it coming,” Rex says quietly before turning to Max. “You may be right that both our dream jobs ride on this decision, but it wasn’t my only dream. Here I was thinking I’d help pull some strings for you and get you on your dream team after that little situation you put yourself in,” Rex says, shaking his head in disbelief. “But yeah, you can go fuck yourself,” Rex tells Max, before turning around and walking out, leaving me broken and Max’s jaw dropped.

When the door slams, I crumble to the floor, Cassie rushing to my side.

“Max, what the fuck is your problem!” Cassie shouts as she cradles me in her lap.

I can’t think. I can’t talk. All I can do is feel my heart breaking into a million pieces. I was about to tell him I loved him, and honestly, I thought he felt the same. But I saw the look in his eyes, and I watched him let go.

“My problem? Are you kidding me? He’s like twenty years older than her, and he’s my coach! Besides, Cassie, I don’t think you are really in a position to talk about the little situation I’m in,” Max shouts, his tone full of venom as he and Cassie just glare at each other.

“Don’t be so fucking dramatic, Max. We’re not kids. No, this is about you needing to control everyone and everything under this fake impression that you know what’s best. Reality check, you don’t, and you just fucked up something that actually made your sister happy when all you’ve done lately is make her sad. Now I’m telling you one more time. Get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. My. Apartment,” Cassie growls, her protective instinct kicking it up a notch.

If I were in any other state, I’d probably smile at her, but I’m too broken to care.

I vaguely hear the door slam, but I don’t move as Cassie lets me sit in our kitchen and cry.

If I thought I was broken before, I was dead wrong.

Without Rex, I feel empty, like a shell of who I once was.

21

REX

Fuck. It doesn’t matter what I do, I can’t bring myself to care about playoffs. I can’t seem to bring myself to care about anything, well, except Rory, of course. She’s been my only saving grace these last couple of weeks, the only reason I’m not holed up in my apartment like I was in Austin.

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