Page 53 of Snowed In With the PUCK

I stand up, grabbing my gear. Why is the thought of a trade to a new team suddenly so appealing to me? I just got here, but maybe Denver isn’t where I belong.

Chapter twenty-six

Jessica

When I hear theknock at the door, it surprises me. The only person I expect to come to the house tonight is Eric, but he wouldn’t come knocking at the door. It’s late, and I know he’s had a rough day after practice. I was at the arena with Jason to meet with Allison and the PR team to assess future events for the team and check the contracts of each player to see who has fulfilled their community service hours mandated by the team for the team’s image and who hasn’t.

I heard through the rumor mill all about this Bart guy who has it out for Eric. Enough to know Eric is probably not in a good mood. His text earlier was short, just a “see you soon,” and I could tell from that alone he wasn’t in a good mood.

What I’mnotexpecting is to open the door and find my dad standing there, dressed in one of his slick LA suits, looking completely out of place in Colorado.

“Jessica,” he says smoothly, as though he’s surprised to find me at my own house. “You didn’t answer my calls.”

I cross my arms, bracing myself. “Dad, I didn’t answer because I already told you my answer.”

Dad had obviously felt terrible about saying he was going to marry that little bimbo of his because his latest tactic is making me a legitimate job offer to work in his entertainment law firm for double what I make with the Avalanche. That offer is dead on arrival.

Before I can say anything else, I hear footsteps behind him. I turn to see Eric walking up the path toward the house, shoulders hunched like he’s carrying the weight of the world on them. His expression shifts when he sees my dad, his eyes narrowing slightly in confusion.

“Uh, hello,” Eric says, stopping a few feet away, clearly not sure what’s going on. His eyes dart between my dad and me, and I can see the question forming in his mind.

My dad, Nigel, doesn’t waste any time. “I was just stopping by to see if Jessica had reconsidered my offer. Trixie and I are heading back to LA soon. I’d like an answer before we leave. I’ve been thinking more about it, honey,” he says, turning his full attention back to me. “You’d be the perfect fit at the firm in LA. You’ve got the experience, the name,” he puffs his chest out, “my name, and the connections. It’s the right move, and you know it.”

I can feel Eric’s eyes on me as I respond, my voice tight. “I told you before, Dad, I’m not interested in leaving Denver. My life is here now.”

Nigel lets out a little sigh, like he’s disappointed but not surprised. “Jess, you’re selling yourself short by staying out here. I don’t get it. You’ve always been ambitious, always aiming for bigger things. You could be working with celebrities, high-profile cases, not stuck in sports law.”

“Dad, I love my job,” I say firmly, my patience wearing thin. “And I’m not stuck in anything. I’m staying because this is where I want to be.”

Nigel raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “If that’s what you really want.” He glances over at Eric, like he’s sizing him up, trying to figure out what kind of role he plays in all of this. “I just hope you’re not staying for the wrong reasons.”

That’s when Eric speaks up, his voice low but steady. “She’s got a good thing going here, Nigel. I’m sure you can see that.”

My dad doesn’t respond immediately, just gives Eric a look that says he’s not going to be convinced that easily. “Well, Jessica, I don’t have to tell you that I’m disappointed, if this is your final decision,” Nigel says, his tone light but his words heavy.

I bite back a retort, trying to stay calm. Here comes the guilt trip. I’m not sure which is worse, that or the cold shoulder. Dad’s manipulation tactics are pretty basic and tiresome. “I’m notgoing to change my mind, no matter how many times you bring this up.”

Nigel gives me one last lingering look before nodding, then turns to leave. “Alright. I’ll let you get back to… whatever this is,” he says, gesturing vaguely between Eric and me. He walks off, his expensive shoes clicking on the sidewalk, and I feel like I can finally breathe again when the door closes behind him.

There’s a long, uncomfortable silence in the house now. Eric’s standing there, still staring at the door, his hands clenched at his sides. I can’t read his expression, but I can tell he’s processing something. And I’m not sure I want to hear what it is.

Finally, he turns to me, his voice careful. “So… your dad offered you a real job in LA? A big role in his firm, I’m guessing?”

I nod, trying to keep my emotions in check. “Yeah. He’s been after me for months to leave NYC where I was and then leave Denver and join his firm.” I shrug, like it’s no big deal.

“His interest in me working with him comes and goes. Right now, thanks to his little fiancée, he wants me to work entertainment law, big celebrity cases, right alongside him, to be this big weird happy family with his new wife.”

It hurts to say that word, but it’s the reality I have to deal with. “But I’ve told him over and over, it’s not what I want.”

Eric lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. “That’s… that’s huge, Jess. I know this is your dad we’re talking about, soit’s hard for you to see this clearly. But you’ve got a shot at something major there.”

I cross my arms, defensive now. “It’s not what I want, Eric. I can’t work with him for starters, and I also want to build a career of my own. He should just be happy I went into law in the first place! I like what I do here. I’m happy.”

“Are you?” His voice is soft, but there’s something else behind it. Something that makes my stomach twist.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snap, already on edge from the encounter with my dad.

He shrugs, but there’s tension in his shoulders. “It just sounds like… I don’t know. You’ve got a chance to go for something glamorous and hugely impactful in LA, something that would pay you well. And you’re turning it down. I don’t get it.”

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