Page 76 of Weak Side

Claire and her mother had struggled from the beginning. She told me her mother had never been able to recover emotionally or financially since he left them. Claire had beenkillingherself this semester by working, attending classes, and dancing to win the scholarship because of the financial strain, and to think that this man, who was wealthier than most of America, was the reason?

It hit too close to home for me, and some would say that this was an insert-foot-into-mouth kind of moment, but sometimes, the truth hurt, and by the look on Tom’s face, it stung.

“What did you just say?”

“I said, what kind of man abandons their daughter?” An angered breath left me, and I wasn’t sure if I was ruining my chances at a career in the NHL or just my chances with him, but defending Claire felt like the right move, and I wasn’t going to back down. “And please don’t tell me that you’re only interested in me because of her.”

“That isnottrue.” Tom was angry, but so was I.

“Which part?” I snapped back to him. “The part where you abandoned her or the part that you’re not interested in me because of her. I should have known better. What kind of NHL team owner scouts his own players?”

Tom and I were in a complete stare-down. His blue eyes were laser focused on mine, and my chest was ripped wide open with unshed anger and disappointment. Not only was I disappointed about learning that he wasn't as righteous of a man as I had painted him to be, but also because it felt as if all my hard work was a joke that had erupted in laughter the moment he pulled me in here to talk about Claire instead of me joining his team.

Not to mention, seeing a man this successful sit in front of me to ask about his daughter, whom he’d allegedly left as a baby, felt all too familiar to my own scars. Didn’t he know that Claire struggled with money? Didn’t he know that her mother relied on her to pay for things back home while she was working tirelessly at The Bex and dancing to win a scholarship so she didn’t have to figure out how to balance everything? And don’t even get me fucking started on what Chad had said about Claire relying on him for money.

Tom finally spoke, splitting the ice around the room. “None of that is true. I didn’t seek you out because of her. I have had my eye on you since your sophomore year because of sheer talent and your drive to succeed. You remind me a lot of myself at that age, and I’ll admit, if you had been late for any reason other than making sure my daughter was okay, I might have reamed you just as hard as your coach. But how can I be angry with someone who has a piece of my soul in their best interest?” My mouth opened, but I stopped myself so he could continue. “And I give you props for defending her, even to me, but you have it wrong. I didn’t abandon her.Theyabandoned me.”

“Wh–what?” I asked, bending forward to place my elbows on my knees.

“Sit back,” he demanded. “Because we have a lot to discuss.”

37

Claire

I spunaround in the mirror and dipped my gaze down to my tanned leg sticking out from the black dress that Rose lent to me. At least the leg that had slipped out from the split in the thin black fabric wasn’t the one sporting the nasty blue bruise from my fall onstage.

My face burned at the memory of my fall, and although it was just two days ago, I still felt the sting of embarrassment like it was an hour prior. I had a meeting with Professor Petit on Monday, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was sure they’d given the lead role to someone else, which made sense, butshit.I needed it. I really, really needed it.

“Here.” Taytum popped beside me in the mirror and handed me a black mask with feathers and small bright gems outlining the sides. I took it hesitantly, still unsure I wanted to be at her sorority party after such a wonky weekend. I’d hardly spoken to Theo since he left me in the hospital on Friday evening. He got in from his game late, having had a lengthy conversation with his coach and Tom Gardini. I was exhausted from my concussion, and the doctor recommended resting as much as possible for at least twenty-four hours, and Theo had taken the concussion protocol very seriously, along with the rest of his team.

They had dropped off an eye mask, an extra-comfy pillow, an entire case of water, and headphones to block out any noise. I made the joke that they just wanted their favorite waitress back at The Bex for extra fries, but instead of laughing, they each wrapped me in a light hug and demanded I text them if I needed something while Theo was slaving away in the rink at their coach’s demand.

I felt terrible about that.

Theo didn’t let on that he was in trouble for being late to his game, but considering he was hardly in our dorm all weekend, and when he did come back, he was covered in sweat, it was obvious he was trying to make it up to the team.

He told me not to worry and checked on me every few hours in the middle of the night to make sure I was okay, but I still felt like something was off. We hadn’t chatted aboutwhyI’d taken a fall during my rehearsal, and to be honest, I hadn’t wanted to think about it. The doctor said to rest my brain, and thinking too much about Chad, my mother, or the future would have been the complete opposite of resting.

And even though going to a masquerade party at Alpha Chi Omega, Taytum’s sorority, just a few days later, wasn’t my idea of fun, what was I if not a good friend to the girl who had stayed in the hospital with me the entire evening, missing her own audition?

“You look hot.”

I flipped my hair over my shoulder. “I look hot in Rose’s old prom dress? That’s a compliment I’ll take, I guess.”

Taytum laughed as Rose entered the room, along with one of her friends who eyed Taytum and me nervously.

“No surprise that you look better in that dress than I did.” Rose huffed as she pulled her red mask over her face, applying lipstick a moment later. Taytum did the same, and I was next, noticing how blue my eyes looked against the black mask surrounding them.

“So, is Ford your hot date?” I asked, peeking over at Taytum, who was strapping her heels on. I opted for flat sandals, although my feet were going to be freezing if I decided to go outside in the chilly, near-winter air, but heels weren’t the best option for someone who was still sporting an ankle injury.

“Emory would lose his shit, and plus, I don’t have dates for these sorts of parties.”

Rose’s silent friend spoke up. “I thought having a date was a rule.”

“I don’t follow rules.” Taytum smiled deviously, and I laughed under my breath.

“And Theo is your date?” the girl asked quietly, taking her eyes from me as soon as I looked over.

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