Page 80 of College Hockey Bully

Dad shrugs. “From what Nathan told me, you just might. It was surprising to hear how talented you are. Maybe I’ll fly to New York for a game or two if you go pro—”

“No,whenI go pro, Dad,” I correct firmly.

“If you go pro,” he repeats, his voice just as firm. Malice dances in his eyes as he leans in. “You might make the finals,you might even win the championships, but Nathan and his coach just might choose one of the other players after getting an anonymous email.”

He has my full, scowling attention. “And what will this anonymous email contain?”

“An MRI of your ankle,” he replies, smiling slyly. “And before you point out that it’s five years old, a doctored document would show a more recent date, say… two weeks ago, for instance.”

I scoff. “No one in their right mind is going to buy that, especially when I could simply get an MRI done.”

“We both know you wouldn’t want that, son. I saw you limping, remember? Whatever was going on then, it just might be lingering now. Do you want to risk revealing a slight imperfection that could cost you a major spot? And don’t even think about another team. I’ll have my assistant post it on social media so fast, you’d be lucky to get hired as a water boy.”

“What do you want, Dad?” I’m already sick of him explaining why he’s trying to blackmail me.

He leans back in his chair, smiling brightly. “Now we’re getting somewhere. I want you to dump that girl and go back to Casey. You do that and I won’t stand in your way.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“As a heart attack, son—”

“I’m not your fucking son!” I explode, shooting up from my seat. “For you to back me in a corner like this… I’m nothing to you.”

With no remorse, he spreads his arms. “We’re trying to reach a specific goal. Let’s help each other get there.”

“Fuck you and fuck your goal.” With a click on my tongue, I storm toward the door.”

“Aiden.”

The clear warning in his tone makes me stop, staring at the frosted door. “What?”

“Your mother told me Casey’s birthday party is tonight. You’re going to pick her up with a grand gesture—whatever gift she likes—after which you’ll express how much you love and want her back. Throw in the promise of getting married someday to sweeten the deal. A week from now, you’ll invite her and her folks over for dinner with your mom and me. I’ll take it from there.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I’ll send the email first thing in the morning. Dr. Samuels will be more than ready to corroborate the results. It’s funny what people will do for six figures these days. Absolutely no integrity.” He chuckles. “I love it.”

Without another word, I storm out, too pissed off to even respond to Amanda’s wave at me. I slam my car door and drop back in the seat, blowing out breaths to calm myself. My cell phone rings. Seeing Mom’s name on the screen, I toss it on the backseat. This is all her fault, all because of her desperate plan to keep a man who loves no one but himself.

What the fuck am I going to do now? He’s right about one thing. Although my ankle feels quite fine, I’m not sure what’s happening beneath the surface. If an MRI reveals an issue, my career could be over. This is my dream. I can’t walk away from it.

Can you walk away from Scarlett?

Fuck.

I bump my head against the steering wheel, muttering a curse. For the first time in my life, I found someone who sees me for more than a guy who’s only good for money and sex. I found a woman stronger than I am. She’s smart, sassy, so obliviously beautiful and I don’t want to lose that.

Fuck my fucking life.

Shifting the gear into drive, I take off. This is definitely being caught between a rock and a hard place.

The phone starts shrilling with my mother’s personalized ring tone, and I resist the urge to stop and throw it out the fucking window. I don’t want to talk to her. Whatever pity I’ve ever harbored is gone now. She’s on her own, in for a rude awakening when she realizes Dad will never change, even after getting what he wants.

I just hope Scarlett will forgive me for what I’m about to do.

Chapter 31

Scarlett

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