Page 109 of That's Too Pucking Bad

It’s not a promise, but it’s the best I’ll get.

He holds me as I cling to him. I hide the tears that slip out of my eyes.

Chapter 21

The sterile smell of the hospital makes me want to bolt. The fluorescent lights hum above me, and I can hear the murmur of voices from the hall. I hate this place. I hate sitting here, pretending I’m fine when I’m anything but.

The torn adductor is worse than I thought. At least that’s what the doctor said after poking and prodding me for way too long.

“Rest, ice, physical therapy,” she said, like those words will magically fix me. Like I have time for that.

The door creaks open, and I sit up straighter, biting back the grimace that comes with the movement. It’s my dad. Of course, it’s him.

He walks in like he owns the place, his suit perfect, his tie sharp, his expression harder than the ice I play on.

“Dad,” I say, leaning back against the bed.

“Zane,” he replies, shutting the door behind him. He doesn’t sit down. He never does. “What’s the damage?”

“It’s nothing,” I lie because that’s easier.

“Bullshit,” he snaps, his voice cutting through the quiet. “If it was nothing, you wouldn’t be here.”

I don’t answer. He steps closer, his hands in his pockets.

“The doctor called me,” he says, his tone cold. “Torn adductor, huh?”

“It’s not that bad,” I say quickly. “I’ll be fine.”

He scoffs, shaking his head. “You don’t have time for this, Zane. The scouts are watching. You’re on their radar, but if they catch wind of this–” He doesn’t finish. He doesn’t have to.

“I’ll play,” I say firmly. “No one’s going to know.”

His eyes narrow, and he steps closer. “You better not let them. Pain is part of the game. You’re a man, so fucking act like it.”

His words hit harder than any check on the ice. I nod, keeping my face blank.

“Good,” he says, satisfied. “Now get your shit together and stay off their radar. You think anyone gives a damn about a player who’s injured? No. They’ll drop you like that.” He snaps his fingers, and the sound makes my stomach twist.

“I get it,” I mutter, looking away.

“Do you?” he asks sharply. “Because if you fuck this up, Zane, you don’t just ruin your future. You ruin everything I’ve invested in you.”

I clench my jaw, my hands gripping the edges of the bed. “I said I get it.”

He studies me for a moment, then nods. “Good. Keep your mouth shut, keep your head down, and for God’s sake, don’t let that fucking girl distract you.”

“Girl?”

“I know about the job promotion you got her mother. You thought you could donate all that money and I wouldn’t be notified?”

“Dad…”

“I don’t care. You keep playing or everything we worked for goes to shit. It would be a really big trouble if her mother suddenly lost her job.”

His words hit me harder than anything else.

“Leave her out of this,” I say quietly.

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