Page 61 of Off-Limits as Puck

“Excuse me?”

“Get out of my office.” My voice gains strength. “You can be my boss, but you don’t get to stand here and—”

“I’m your father.”

“Then act like it!” The words explode from somewhere deep, years of swallowed frustration finally erupting. “For once in my life, act like you care more about me than your reputation!”

“If I didn’t care, I’d let you destroy yourself.” He straightens his tie, rebuilding his walls. “But I won’t. So here’s what’s going to happen. You will end whatever this is with Hendrix. You will maintain absolute professional boundaries. Or you will be terminated.”

“You can’t—”

“I can. Check your contract. Conduct detrimental to team interests is grounds for immediate dismissal.” He moves to the door. “I’ve protected you your whole life, Chelsea. From failure, from consequences, from yourself. But if you continue down this path, I won’t protect you from this.”

“I never asked for your protection.”

“No. You asked for a job. I gave you one. Don’t make me regret it.”

He leaves, and I stand there shaking, hands fisted at my sides. Twenty-eight years of being the perfect daughter, and this is what breaks us. Not my teenage rebellion phase. Not choosing my own PhD program. Not moving cities without asking.

Reed Hendrix is what finally makes my father look at me with disgust.

I sink into my chair as the adrenaline fades, leaving me hollow. My hands won’t stop trembling. My chest feels too tight. The walls of my perfect office—my achievement, my proof I could succeed without him—feel like they’re closing in.

The tears come suddenly, violently. Not pretty tears but ugly sobs that shake my whole body. I press my hands over my mouth, trying to muffle the sound, but it’s useless. Years of controlled emotion pour out in waves.

“Oh, honey.”

I look up to find Maddy closing the door behind her, holding tissues and wearing an expression of infinite sympathy.

“You heard?”

“Everyone heard. Your father’s not exactly subtle when he’s angry.” She hands me the tissues. “For what it’s worth, facilities are taking bets on who won.”

I laugh through the tears, which somehow makes me cry harder.Maddy doesn’t try to comfort me with empty words. She just sits on my desk, guardian angel in designer heels, and lets me fall apart.

“He’s right,” I say when I can speak again. “I’m compromising everything. My job, the team, his reputation—”

“Your sanity, your relationship with Jake, your ability to function like a normal human...”

“Thanks. Super helpful.”

“I’m not here to lie to you.” She hands me more tissues. “You are compromising everything. The question is whether it’s worth it.”

“It’s not. It can’t be. One man isn’t worth destroying my entire life.”

“Okay.”

“Okay? That’s it?”

“What do you want me to say? That love conquers all? That you should throw away your career for a hockey player with anger issues?” She shrugs. “You’re right. It’s not worth it.”

“But?”

“But you’re going to do it anyway.”

“No.” I stand, pacing to the window. “No, I’m not. I’m going to be professional. I’m going to maintain boundaries. I’m going to prove to my father that I can handle this job.”

“And Reed?”

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