Page 100 of Penalty to the Heart

But before Trent is able to stop her, Piper heads right in towards Caleb without sparing her boyfriend a second look.

“God, the woman is stubborn when she wants to be. Which, in her case, is all the time.”

“I thought that was one of the reasons you fell in love with her,” I taunt, grabbing a champagne flute from a passing waiter.

“It is. I love her tenacious and stubborn spirit. I just don’t like it when she does things that can break her heart.”

“She’s his friend, Trent. Just because they had a falling out doesn’t mean they stopped caring for each other.” I explain, though I am a little nervous about how he’ll react to such a direct approach.

Caleb didn’t take it very well when Piper signed Bellamy Van Rhyne onto Elite Sports and helped him sign with the Boston Guardians. To Caleb, it all felt like a brutal betrayal, and I’m not sure if he’s past it.

But I have seen a yearning in him to mend his friendships lately, so hopefully, Piper falls in that category.

However, I do wonder why she would take such a risk of losing one client in favor of another.

Seeing as Trent is somewhat distracted, maybe now is the perfect time to get those answers.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Shoot.”

“Why did Bellamy really return to Boston? I thought he had made a home in New York.”

“Since when do you care about my hires?” Trent responds with a chuckle.

“Since I’m treating not one, but two of your players who have been affected by it.”

“Fair enough,” he says, eyes still laser-focused on his girlfriend. “But what I’m about to tell you dies here. Understand?” It’s only after I nod that he continues. “Bellamy’s daughter has recently been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She’s currently hospitalized at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since it has the best treatment program specialized in leukemia.”

“Oh, my god. I had no idea. How old is she?”

“Three.” Trent frowns. “He tried his best to be present by bouncing back and forth between Boston and New York for a while, but no one can do that balancing act for long. So Bellamy decided that family trumped his hockey career and was ready to break his contract with Mavericks just to come home to be with his wife and child. If it hadn’t been for Piper keeping her head to the ground, we would have missed the opportunity to help him. You have to respect a man who puts his family’s needs above his own. And as much as I knew it would hurt Caleb, I don’t regret the decision I made signing Bellamy to the team.”

“Why didn’t you tell Caleb?”

“Why would I need to?” Trent counters, disgruntled by my question. “I’m still the GM of the Guardians, and every decision I make is for the team’s benefit. Caleb should have just accepted his new teammate instead of throwing a fucking tantrum. And firing Piper as his sports agent… Well, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. My patience and understanding can only go so far.”

I thin my lips because I don’t agree with his reasoning.

If Caleb had known the truth, he would have never reacted the way he did.

Sensing where my head is, Trent’s scrutinizing gaze falls away from his girlfriend, who is still trying to maneuver her way through the crowd towards Caleb.

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell him either. Bellamy would like his private life to remain as such, and considering all he’s going through, he’s well within his right.”

“It just seems like a shame to me. Especially since both Caleb and Bellamy are going through similar circumstances. They are both just trying to keep it together as they watch helplessly their loved ones fight for their lives.”

“Are you trying to guilt-trip me right now? I would have thought such a manipulative maneuver was beneath you. Maybe Donovan is becoming a bad influence on you.”

“I’m just pointing out a fact,” I rebuke.

“Well, keep your facts to yourself and this whole conversation under lock and key. I don’t want you breaking my trust out of some need to help him see reason. That kid—”

“Man,” I interject, aggravated by him always referring to Caleb as if he were some unruly child.

“Fine. The man ,” he corrects with a roll of his eyes, “needs restraint and discipline if he wants to earn back the respect of his teammates. Then, and only then, will I even consider bringing him back into the fold.”

“I assume that the same goes for Piper as well. He’ll need to earn back her trust, too.”

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