Page 64 of Huge Pucking Play

"I'll talk to Garrett tonight," I decide. "Lay it all out."

"Good." Sophie nods approvingly. "And remember, whatever happens with the Blades, you're not alone in this. You've got me, Evan, and most importantly, you've got Garrett."

Sitting across from Sophie's unwavering belief in love, the future doesn't seem quite as terrifying.

We finish lunch talking about lighter things—Sophie's honeymoon adventures, the ridiculous hat Evan bought that she's forbidden him from wearing in public and the feature she’s currently working on. By the time we hug goodbye on the sidewalk outside, my steps feel steadier.

I pull out my phone and text Garrett:

Me: Need to see you tonight, please.

His reply comes instantly.

Garrett: My place at 7?

Me: Perfect.

Whatever happens next, at least I won't face it alone.

Chapter 19

Garrett

I'm about to pour myself a drink when the doorbell rings. I excitedly swing the door open but the look on Cyn’s face makes my stomach drops. She stands in my hallway, shoulders slumped, her normally bright eyes rimmed with red. Something's wrong. Something’s very wrong.

"Cyn?" I reach for her hand, pulling her gently inside. "What happened?"

She doesn't answer. Her ponytail is messy, strands escaping in all directions, and she’s wearing baggy sweats and a hoodie.

"Can I get you something? Water? Tea?" I move toward the kitchen, needing to do something— anything.

"Water would be good." Her voice lacks its usual spark.

My hands are steady as I fill a glass, but inside I'm a storm. Whoever or whatever put that look on her face has awakened something in me. I want to fix this. Immediately.

I hand her the water and guide her to the couch with my palm against the small of her back. She sinks into the cushions like she's been standing for days.

"Talk to me." I sit close, but I try not to crowd her. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out."

She takes a sip, then carefully sets the glass on the coffee table. "It's Marjorie."

Of course it is. That woman has been a thorn in Cyn's side since day one. But there's something different this time—the tremor in Cyn's hands tells me this is worse than the usual workplace bullshit.

"What did she do?" I keep my voice level, despite feeling like I’m going to explode.

"She knows about us." Cyn looks up at me, her green eyes clouded with worry.

I take her hand in mine, giving her something to hold onto. "How?"

"She’s seen us together and noticed how we look at each other. And, apparently, one of the players mentioned something about the Denver away game.” She shakes her head. "It doesn't matter how. She knows, and she's threatening to fire me."

The heat in my chest flares into a bonfire. "She can't do that."

"She says she can. She says it's a violation of team policy."

I stand up, needing to move. Energy pulses through me, demanding action. "That's bullshit. There's no policy against staff dating coaches."

"Not explicitly, but there are rules about professional conduct and conflict of interest. She's twisting them." Cyn's voice breaks. "Garrett, I can't lose this job."

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