Page 34 of Snowed In With the PUCK

I grit my teeth, forcing a smile. “I wouldn’t know. Some of us are working here.” He doesn’t get it at all, does he? We’re not close. But since he’s in my office, he’s putting on a show. Great. “Dad, what are you doing here?”

He saunters over to the chair Jason just vacated and sits down without a word. “Oh, just in town from the slopes with Trixie for a little Denver city experience for her. She’s just outside in the lobby talking to a guy named Jason—your boss, right?”

I sigh. I know my dad. This is his public persona, oh so generous and laid back. But the real him is controlling and harsh with his words. And Trixie—the latest in a long line of his “girlfriends” is talking to Jason? Wonderful. Not. It’s so embarrassing! I don’t want them here.

She’s barely older than me, all blonde curls and manicured nails, a stereotypical snow bunny who probably loves Aspen and all things outdoorsy. I bet she’s dying to get back on some ski slope, taking selfies for Instagram.

“How’s work going?” he asks as if it’s his business, leaning back casually. Then, it happens. His eyes change and grow shrewd. He’s here for a reason, not just to visit. “I saw the news about you and Eric—what’s that all about? He cheating on you with his PR lady?”

Dad is worried about my image, not me, most likely. He is looking for a mistake or a flaw in how I live life. It’s been this way since I turned eighteen.

I bristle at the question, hating the way he says it with that condescending, almost amused tone. “It’s nothing,” I say, my voice tight. “Just media nonsense.”

He raises an eyebrow, giving me a look that tells me he doesn’t believe a word of it. “Nonsense, huh? Well, you know I’ve always said you should’ve gone into entertainment law like me. This sports stuff is a steppingstone toward fame as an attorney, sure, and that part is great. But it’s also… messy. You could’ve been handling contracts for the big movie stars by now, but no, youhad to do things your way.” He presses his lips together. “I’ve been patient. I’ve been supportive of your move here. Let me know when you’ve had enough of this playing around and want to join my firm and represent Hollywood’s elite.”

He’s rarely so direct and it shocks me. My mind races—is he terminal, is he ill, what is behind this sudden insistence that I change my life for him?

I bite the inside of my cheek, feeling the familiar sting of disappointment that always accompanies conversations with my father. He’s never been shy about his disapproval of my career choice, but he’s usually passive aggressive about it, not direct. To him, if it’s not Hollywood, it’s not important. Never mind that I’ve made a name for myself as a successful sports attorney. He’ll never see it as my end game; just a step toward the end goal: entertainment law.

“I’m happy where I am, Dad,” I say, though the words feel hollow even to me. Lately, I’m not at all happy.

He waves his hand dismissively. “Sure, sure. But you know, there’s still time to switch. I’ve got contacts in LA. I could have you working on movie deals by next week if you wanted.”

“I don’t want that,” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “And I don’t have time for this right now. I’ve got work to do.”

My father laughs coolly, completely unbothered by my frustration. “Maybe once I tell you my good news, you’ll realizethat it’s time you come home to LA with me and build the family business.”

Before I can respond, the door swings open again, and in walks Trixie, looking as perfectly styled as always. Her blonde hair is tucked into a white fur-trimmed ski jacket, and she’s beaming like she’s just come from a photo shoot.

“Hi, Jessica!” she says brightly, completely ignoring the tension in the room. “Your dad said we should stop by. Isn’t your boss just the cutest?”

I force a tight smile. “Sure.”

Trixie flounces over to my father, wrapping her arm around his like she’s some kind of accessory. My stomach churns at the sight. She’s too young for him; my father’s pushing sixty. It’s gross, honestly.

“Jessica,” my father says, his tone suddenly serious, “there’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”

I raise an eyebrow, not liking the sound of that at all. “What is it?”

He glances at Trixie, then back at me, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Trixie and I are getting married.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. For a moment, I can’t even process them. “What?” I manage to choke out.

“Married,” he repeats, as if I didn’t hear him the first time. “And I’d love for you to join us in LA so you and I can work on our relationship and so you can be there as Trix and I start our life. Heck, maybe even start a family together. Isn’t that great news?”

Start a family—at his age? What the actual heck! I can feel my heart breaking in my chest, the betrayal sinking in like a lead weight. My mother’s been gone for years, but the idea of my father marrying someone like Trixie—it’s like a slap in the face. How could he do this? How could he move on so easily, especially with someone like her?

“Dad, can I have a word—in private?” I hiss out.

Trixie turns her nose up. “There’s no need for secrets, Jessica. Anything you need to say, you can say it to the both of us.” She looks at my dad. “Isn’t that right, baby?” she purrs.

I want to vomit. “Fine. It’s disrespectful,” I say, my voice shaking with anger. “To Mom. To her memory. How could you even think about this, especially right before Christmas?”

My father frowns, clearly not expecting this reaction. “Jessica, your mother’s been gone a long time. I deserve to be happy, too.”

“This isn’t about your happiness,” I snap. “It’s about you feeding your ego with your latest little girl toy. This is you not caring about anyone but yourself.”

Trixie shifts uncomfortably beside him, clearly not expecting this much honesty from me. My father sighs, looking annoyed now. “I thought you’d be happy for me, Jessica.”

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