Page 41 of Rookie Move

“I want you to think about it. Really think about what this could mean for the career you’re building.”

“Just don’t compare me to her,” she whispered, and he tugged her into a hug.

“I lashed out. I’m sorry. You’re not like your mother.”

“And don’t be too hard on him at practice. He wanted to tell you a while ago, but I told him to wait.”

“I’m not making any promises about that, but I will make sure he’s still breathing after I’m done.”

She glared up at her father and all he did was shrug.

At least her dad knew about them. It was a start. Now she had to figure out how to prevent it from turning into a disaster. She sent Desmond a quick text asking if they could talk tonight and he instantly replied with a yes.

Desmond bounced hisknee as he taped his stick before practice. He was antsy as hell. The one text he’d had from Rylie had been short, and he would be face-to-face with her father as soon as he stepped out on the ice.

This morning had not gone as he’d planned at all.

“Dude. You okay?” Finn asked next to him, his voice low. “Is it Rylie?”

“What?”

“Please. You guys didn’t even try to hide it last night,” Finn said. “If Bugsy finds out…”

“Yeah, that happened this morning. We overslept at her place. You know, in the guesthouse on his property.”

“Oh fuck, man. I’m surprised you’re still breathing.”

“Let’s circle back to that after practice ends. Bugsy was pissed. But I fell for her, hard.” There was an ease with Rylie. He could be himself around her. And if he was honest, he hadn’t been himself at the end with Melanie. After the ring was on her finger, something had changed, and he could admit now that he’d been on edge. She might’ve blindsided him, but he knew without question that they were no longer right for each other.

But Rylie. Rylie was different. She had blindsided him in a completely different way and he wanted to keep exploring that, if she’d let him.

“I get it. I fell hard for my PT assistant. Sophia was the one helping me rehab after an injury two years ago. Cost Sophia her job.” He paused and gave a quick headshake.

“Shit. I hope that doesn’t happen with Rylie. She does work for the team.” He had to hope that if they were okay with her being the coach’s daughter, they would be okay with her dating a player.

“It’s going to lead to gossip when everyone finds out. Just make sure everyone knows that this isn’t some casual hookup. It’s not, right?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Alright. Well, good luck today. I hope I don’t get whatever punishment Bugsy is about to dole out to you because we’re paired up,” Finn said, then grimaced.

“I’m apologizing in advance.”

“It’s fine. I’ve been there, and everything will work out—you know, as long as you’re still breathing at the end of practice,” Finn finished with a smirk.

“Not helping,” Desmond muttered before he followed his teammate onto the ice.

Bugsy was already there and glaring at him. Shit. This was going to hurt.

“He found out, didn’t he?” Baz asked, skating up beside Desmond.

“Yep. Caught me in the guesthouse.”

Baz tutted, dropping a hand on Desmond’s shoulder. “Oh, you’re in for it now.”

“I know,” he muttered, and then Seibs was calling out drills before Desmond could say anything else.

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