Page 85 of Scoring Position

“I want you to play your best hockey! That boy was a distraction—”

Nico didn’t know if he was angrier with his father for not being able to take a hint or for forcing Nico to defend Ryan when Ryan had hurt him. When Ryan—he was forced to admit to himself now—didn’t love him. “Was Mom a distraction?”

Finally he got the impression that his father realized he’d stepped in it. “Nico… that was different—”

“When you can figure out how without sounding like a homophobic asshole, let me know,” Nico said coldly.

“This isn’t about homophobia! It’s about perception! Do you want people to wonder what you or your boyfriend have earned or haven’t earned on the team? People are going to speculate about your career. Why invite questions of whether you got favors by dating a teammate?”

“Of course people are going to speculate, but I can’t live my life worrying about what other people will say! Who I’m dating doesn’t actually impact my play.”

His father was building up a head of steam now, his voice taking on a frantic edge on top of the anger and disappointment. “Everything in your life impacts your play. And even if it didn’t, it still impacts your marketability—”

Oh, theendorsements. “Is that what this is all about?” he interrupted. Finally things were falling into place. “Money, Papa? Because it’s my life. My career. And I think I can have a pretty good onewithouta major endorsement deal.”

“You don’t understand what it’s like! Young people these days—you’re all so spoiled!”

What?“Papa… I don’t understand whatwhatwas like?”

“Before Reunification!” his father exploded. “When the Stasi spied on our own citizens. When they would not let us leave. When the only way to guarantee freedom was to have the means to buy it.”

Nico opened his mouth. His father had been a young man when the former GDR rejoined West Germany. Nico had never considered what that had meant for him professionally—that if he’d been much older, he would have missed his chance to play in the NHL at all. “You’re right,” he said finally. “I don’t know what that’s like. I’ve never thought about having to save up to buy my freedom. But that doesn’t make it right for you to ask me to sell it.”

His father sucked in a breath.

Good. He needed to hear this. “I never know anymore if you’re being my dad or my agent. I can’t tell if you hate Ryan because you think he’s ruining my career or because you think he’s not good enough for your kid.”

“Nico—”

“Either way, this can’t continue. I never feel like you’re my dad anymore. This two-roles thing is ruining our relationship.”

His father cleared his throat. “You’re my son. I want what’s best for you. No one else will have your best interests at heart like I will.”

“Maybe,” Nico allowed, “but other players survive just fine.” He took a deep breath and then the plunge. “I can’t have you as my agent anymore.”

“What? That’s ridiculous. I know we’ve been at odds lately, but—”

“I’ve made up my mind. The only question is, are you going to make me fire you, or will you agree to release me from my contract?” He’d been seventeen when he’d signed it, and considering his father had been his legal guardian at the time, Ella said no judge would hold it up. Conflict of interest. But Nico didn’t want have to threaten to expose his father as having made legally dubious choices.

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am. I want my dad back. I want to stop dreading Christmas with you. I have to know where we stand, to know you’re worrying about me like afathershould.” He closed his eyes. “I want to be able to tell you when I love someone without worrying that my agent will get angry.”

“Nico,” his dad said, sounding stunned.

“It doesn’t matter. We broke up.”He shredded my heart in the middle of the arena.“It would have been nice if I could have talked to my dad about it, but I’m not going to bring it up with my agent.”

Maybe he couldn’t have Ryan, but he might still be able to have a supportive father. If he listened. If he didn’t let his pride get in the way.

If he loved Nico more than he wanted to control his life.

Nico didn’t even realize he was holding his breath until finally his father said, “Okay. I… I will have the paperwork sent over.”

Fuck. Finally. For the first time in two very long days, Nico’s eyes stung. He blinked against the moisture. “Thank you.”

The next thing he’d have to do was find another agent. He would have to ask someone for a recommendation, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. He cleared his throat. “Is—can I talk to Mom?”

Because he couldn’t call Ella. She’d be worried enough with the trade, and she had exams coming up. And he’d just gruesomely broken Misha’s hand yesterday, and Misha had already been giving Ryan the side-eye for weeks. Nico didn’t need to make that more complicated, even if Ryan deserved it.

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