Page 66 of The Dating Coach
Bradley's polished smile faltered. "That's not what I—"
"Then what did you mean?" she pressed. "Because from where I'm standing, you're suggesting Liam should distance himself from supporting LGBTQ+ people to make bigots comfortable."
"It's about marketability," my father said coldly. "Endorsements. Image."
"My image is fine," I said firmly. "I'm a hockey player who protects his family. If brands don't want to endorse that, I don't want their money."
"You ignorant—" My father started.
"Proud," I interrupted. "The word you're looking for is proud. Proud of Gemma for her courage. Proud of our friends for standing up. Proud of choices that prioritize people over profit."
"This is her influence," Victor pointed at Gemma like she was poison. "She's corrupted your priorities."
"She's clarified them," I said simply. "Shown me there's more to life than your narrow definition of success."
The argument that followed was vicious – accusations of manipulation, threats of withdrawn support, promises of a bleak future without family backing. Through it all, Gemma stood beside me, steady and sure, her presence anchoring me.
Finally, Victor delivered his ultimatum: "Walk away from her by Sunday, or I'll personally ensure no NHL team touches you."
"Then I guess I'll play in Europe," I said calmly. "They have architecture schools there too."
He left in a fury of slamming doors and screeching tires, Bradley trailing with apologies about "heated moments" and "room for negotiation." I didn't care. The bridge was burning, and I'd lit the match myself.
"You okay?" Gemma asked softly once they were gone.
"Free," I corrected, pulling her close. "For the first time in my life, completely free."
But that night, alone in my room while Gemma studied, I let myself feel the weight of what I'd potentially lost. The NHL future I'd worked toward my entire life was now hanging by threads because I'd chosen love over convenience.
Worth it, I decided, looking at architecture programs in Stockholm and Munich. Completely worth it. Some things were worth sacrificing for better ones.
Chapter 29: Gemma
The chlorine burned my eyes, but I kept swimming. Lap after lap, until my shoulders screamed and my lungs begged for mercy. The pool was my sanctuary, the one place where the world made sense in strokes and intervals.
It had been three days since the confrontation with my parents. Three days since Liam told his father to fuck off. Three days of watching him field increasingly dire phone calls about his evaporating NHL prospects.
Three days of suffocating guilt.
"That's enough," a voice called from the pool deck.
I surfaced to find Liam standing there in jeans and a henley, concern etched across his features. The bruises from last week's game had faded to yellow-green, making him look tired and worn.
"I have twenty more laps," I said, already positioning for another push-off.
"Gemma, you've been here for two hours. Your lips are blue."
"I'm fine."
"You're punishing yourself," he corrected. "And we need to talk."
Those four words sent ice through my veins that had nothing to do with the pool temperature. I hauled myself out, accepting the towel he offered.
"Let me guess," I said, aiming for casual and missing by miles. "Another team backed out? Your father made goodon more threats? The Swedish league suddenly doesn't want controversial Americans?"
"Prague called," he said quietly. "Good team, full scholarship for their university architecture program. Everything I claimed to want."
"That's... that's great," I managed through the tightness in my throat. "Prague is beautiful. Amazing architecture to study."
