Page 47 of Playoff

“If that were true, he’d be?—”

“Dad, enough.” I walk over to him. Canyon, Gabe, and Connor are obviously embarrassed for him, and I can’t take it anymore. “You’ve obviously had a lot to drink. I think it’s time for you to go back to the hotel.”

“I’m fine!” he snaps. “And I’m having fun. Why can’t I have a little fun?”

“Because you hurt people’s feelings when you drink!” I clap back.

He rolls his eyes. “Seriously, don’t be so dramatic. Jesus, he gets it from his mom,” he says to Gabe.

“Mr. Rourke, this really isn’t the place for this,” Gabe responds in a calm voice, but I can see how annoyed he is.

“Maybe calling him out in front of his peers is what he needs to light a fire under his ass.”

“Dad, fucking stop.” I hiss out the words and grab his arm.

“Oooh, is the big man going to kick my ass?” Dad chortles gleefully.

Fuck.

This is escalating, and I can’t let it happen.

The press is still milling around, there are family members and tons of kids, so me losing my temper won’t accomplish anything but make me look even worse.

“Mom, make sure you don’t let him drive,” I say to her. “But I have to go.”

Tears fill her eyes. “Blake, let’s just?—”

“I’ll call you later,” I whisper. “You can come to my room to say goodbye, but I have to get out of here before I do something I can’t take back.”

She nods. “Yes. Okay. Go.”

I turn and stalk out the door, all but running toward the players’ lot.

“Blake.”

I hear my name but keep walking.

I can’t talk to anyone right now.

“Blake,wait!”

The sound of Rowan’s voice penetrates my haze of hurt and fury.

I slow down a beat but don’t turn around.

“I can’t right now, Ro. I’m too mad.”

“Please, wait.” She reaches me and puts her hands on my shoulders. “Look at me.Blake.”

I lift my gaze to hers.

“Please don’t drive when you’re this upset.” She squeezes my biceps.

“I have to get out of here, Ro. Because I’m going to hurt him if I don’t.”

“Come with me. I’ll drive you wherever you want to go. Bodi will take your car back to the hotel anyway.”

I’m practically trembling with anger and hurt and myriad other emotions, but somehow, I know she’s right.

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