Page 260 of Beautiful Collide

“Hudson,” she says, breaking the silence, and I expect her to tell me another idea.

“Yeah?”

She closes the laptop and sets it aside, her eyes locking on to mine. “I think you need to tell Coach.”

Um, where the hell did that come from?

I was sure I was safe from hockey talk because she’s been avoiding it, but fuck.

I shake my head. “Tell Coach? Yeah, that’s going to be a no.”

She sits up straighter. “Hudson, you can’t keep doing this. Hiding your injury, playing while hurt.”

I shake my head, standing and pacing the room. “You don’t understand, Molly. If Coach finds out I was working on the farm, I could lose everything. My spot on the team, my reputation—”

“Your health.” She cuts in. “You could lose your career permanently if you keep hiding this. Is that what you want?”

I stop pacing, my chest tightening. “Of course not.”

“Then you need to tell him.” She exhales. “Please, Hudson. Ask him for help. Tell him. I know you don’t know Robert like I do, but he’s a good man. A really good man.”

That’s easy for her to say. She’s known Coach Robert since she was a teen. The man is practically a father figure to her. To me . . . well, I’m the reckless player he wishes he could throw off the team.

I run a hand through my hair.

I can’t do it.

I can’t come clean.

But maybe she’s right. Perhaps I need to.

“You really think I should?” I ask.

“I do.” She stands up and crosses the room to stand in front of me. “Because I know you, Hudson. And I know that you’re tired of hiding. Tell him. I promise it will be okay.”

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

The following morning,I’m standing outside Coach’s office.

My heart pounds in my chest.

Maybe I’m having a heart attack.

Now I’m being ridiculous.

Stop dicking around and go in there.

It’s time.

And if I get let go, at least Molly will be there for me.

I take a deep breath.

Knock on the damn door.

“Come in.”

With slow moves, I push the door open. It feels heavy today, but I know it’s just nerves.

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