Page 98 of The Friend Zone

Keith shakes his head, a little more relaxed than a moment ago. “I guess I have to be thankful that back in our day, polyamorous relationships were kept totally secret. I already had to fight some of my teammates for your attention in college. If you had thought dating more than one of us was an option, I don’t know what I would have done.”

Rachel chuckles. “You’re so possessive, darling. You would have had to learn how to share. Ah, if only I could go back by thirty years knowing what I know now.”

Keith glares at his wife, but there’s no real heat in it. “God help us. Even though I wouldn’t mind getting back on the ice. Jagger gets his talent from me.”

That last comment is directed at me. “I know. I googled you too. You were considered one of the most promising college players of your generation. You must have had so many offers to go pro.”

Pride shines in Keith Connelly’s eyes. “I did. I even considered entering the draft for a hot minute, but I’ve always known I was destined to follow in my father’s footsteps. I don’t regret it. I made Connelly Tech a Fortune 500 company, andthe sky is the limit. I’m looking forward to see what Jagger will achieve when he starts working alongside me and his grandfather.”

It’s impossible to miss the way Jagger tenses up at his father’s words. “Right.”

He looks away, as if trying to compose himself. Jagger has confided in me about how he would love to play professional hockey. But he’s also been adamant that his family expectations make that impossible.

The words leave my mouth before I can think better of it. “Jagger has had many offers too. He has agents and NHL team scouts begging him for a meeting.”

Keith claps his son on the shoulder. “I have no doubt you do. It’s nice to be wanted even if you aren’t going to consider their offers, am I right?”

Jagger makes a noncommittal noise, not looking his father in the eye.

Maybe I should mind my own business, but I can’t. Besides, where would I be if Jagger had done the same and not talked to his dad about the situation with the Zeta house?

I care about him and I want to see him happy, so I ask the question on the tip of my tongue. “What if he wanted to play professionally?”

There’s a beat of silence at the table.

“Dad, I—” Jagger is the first one to break the silence.

“Is what Bay is saying true? You want to go pro?” Keith asks.

“What I want doesn’t matter,” Jagger repeats what he said to me every time we’ve talked about his future. “I’ve always known that you and Grandpa expect me to work with you and take over from you one day. I know my duty to my family.”

“Your duty?” Rachel intervenes. “Keith, did you know about this?”

Her husband shakes his head. “I didn’t.”

“Oh, come on, Dad,” Jagger snorts. “With all respect, I’ve known what your expectations were since I was barely out of diapers. I accept that my future has been mapped out for me from an early age. And don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to have this great family legacy. I know so many people who would kill to have the opportunities at my disposal. But if I could choose my path, I would play professional hockey and you’ve known that since I was in high school.”

Keith looks confused. “Have I?”

Jagger’s lips flatten with displeasure, the same way his mom did earlier when Topher was mentioned. “I told you I wanted to play pro hockey after we won the state championship in high school. You and Grandpa laughed, and you said hockey was just a hobby.”

Rachel frowns when she looks at her husband. “Keith, is this true?”

He sighs. “I can’t remember. I mean, it might be.” He addresses his son. “I guess I thought you said that because you were excited about being state champion. I never realized that you might be serious.”

Jagger is trying to stay calm. I recognize the signs in the way he’s holding his dessert fork with white-knuckle force. “I was serious. It doesn’t matter now. You were clear that it wasn’t an option, message received, Dad.”

“Jagger,” Keith says, his expression as serious as it was earlier when we were discussing business. “I’m sorry if I didn’t listen. You know how busy I always am, but this is no justification. I wish you had brought that up again, because no one wants to force you to be in a career you don’t enjoy.”

Jagger shrugs. “It isn’t like that, Dad. I’m proud of what you and Grandpa worked so hard to build. I just?—”

Rachel intervenes. “Is it too late for you to go pro?”

“No, but the point is moot. I’m going to start working in the San Francisco offices next fall. It’s been decided.”

Keith’s tone is challenging. “Says who? Answer your mom’s question. Could you still get an agent or enter the draft?”

Jagger nods. “An agent, yes. I’m ineligible for the draft because I turned twenty-two. I’d have to get signed as a free agent.”

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