Page 102 of Goalie's Obsession

“You don’t get to play the charming fuck-up when she’s out there trying to salvage whatever's left of her family name.”

“I didn’t ask her to—”

“You didn’thaveto!” I roar. “Youknewshe’d try. Because she always does. Because she’s the only one who ever fucking shows up!”

Silence crashes over us, thick and heavy.

I press my palms to my knees, breathing hard, trying not to put my fist through the wall.

Ethan doesn’t say anything for a second. Just looks up at me through tired eyes.

“I didn’t mean for it to get this far,” he mutters. “It started small. A couple bets here and there. Then the debt stacked faster than I thought it would. Next thing I knew…” He trails off, shame crawling over his face.

“How much?” I demand. “How deep are you?”

He hesitates. Then, voice barely audible: “Two hundred grand. Maybe three.”

I stare at him and shake my head in disbelief.

“I can't believe you bet onhockey,” I say slowly. “Ourgames. My team.”

He doesn’t answer.

“Please don't fucking tell me you bet onme,” I hiss.

His head sinks between his shoulders like the weight of it is too heavy to carry.

My stomach turns despite the fact he can't even own up to that. “Do you know what kind of line you crossed?”

“Yes,” he whispers.

“Do you?” I shout. “Because that’s not just a dumb decision anymore, Ethan. That’s acareer killer. Not just yours,mine.Lucy’s.You think the league won’t investigate the second your name shows up in some shady betting ring? You think they’ll overlook the fact your sister is ateam executiveand your best friend is thestarting goaliefor the team you’re betting on?”

He opens his mouth, but I’m already going.

“I’m not evenallowedto gamble, Ethan. Not on anything. It’s in my contract—no betting, period. Not poker, not blackjack, not a single goddamn spin of a roulette wheel. The league has zero tolerance, and if they think I’m connected to this in any way, it’s over. I lose everything.Lucyloses everything.”

He covers his face with both hands.

“I told you I’d help,” I say, quieter now, but no less furious. “You've come to me before, and Itoldyou I’d help. Even now, I gave you a fuckingkey, Ethan. You were my best friend.”

He looks at me, eyes glassy. “Were?”

I shake my head. “Yes. Fuckingwere.BecauseI don’t even know who you are anymore.”

Silence again.

Until I say the one thing I hadn’t planned to.

“I love her.”

Ethan’s head jerks up.

“I love Lucy. And I’m not gonna let you drag her down with you.” My voice is steel now. Not shouting, but lethal. “So whatever you need to say, say it now. Because this is your one shot to be honest before I decide whether I ever let you near either of us again.”

Ethan’s staring at me like I just punched him in the chest.

I don’t give him time to recover. I’m too far gone. Too fucking tired of watching Lucy pick up broken glass while everyone pretends nothing shattered.

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