Page 92 of Chips & Checks
Briggs holds me out at arm’s length. “Your father was the one harassing women. It was proven. Caught on tape, just like this situation with Chad. Bowen is just a good guy who let his temper get the best of him. He had the right reasons at heart. Hey,Ialmost laid out Jaime back in the day.”
I blink away my tears. This is news to me. “You did? What stopped you?”
He grins. “Your Uncle Latham did it for me. Talk about beating me to the punch.”
I groan, as one must for the obligatory dad jokes. “I mean, that was probably better.”
“Way less satisfying, though.”
“At the hotel, Sergio said there’s never any good reason to punch a teammate.”
Dad sighs. “If Jaime turned up again, even after everything he’s done, I wouldn’t go in with my fists. It wouldn’t solve anything. But ifanyonelaid a finger on your mother, I would shut that shitdown.If I’d been there, instead of Bowen, I’d have done the same thing to Chad. I’m not saying it’s the best way, but I don’t think any less of him for what he did. I think he’s the man who will protect you.”
“Right.” I step away in search of a tissue. “Thank you, Dad.”
“Want to come over for dinner?” he offers.
I shake my head. “Sorry. I just want to be alone right now.”
“I thought you might. But if you change your mind, the door’s open.” He leaves, and I blow my nose a few times in the privacy of my office.
I hate the idea of Bowen having to leave, but I don’t want to be left behind, either. And if Chad stays—
No, I’m not going there. Viktor stood up for us. The rest of the guys were waiting in the hall when we left. I assume they made similar statements. But Dante… you never know with Dante. That man puts the word “loose” in the term loose cannon. Sergio is all right when his dad isn’t breathing down his neck, but the way Dante talked about me and my body, like people were entitled to take whatever they want from me just because I work in the NHL, made me furious.
I want to make the same promise Viktor did.If Bowen goes, I go.But would I really leave Vegas for something this new? Myfamily’s here; my friends are here. On the other hand, do I really want to stay, given what Dante said?
I need to think this through before I talk to anyone. I don’t want to make a big decision like this based on what my mom wants, or what Ash wants, or even what Bowen wants. I need to figure my own shit out first.
Easier said than done, though.
I toss my tissue, pack up my things, and head for the door. I’m leaving early, regardless of what anyone else thinks my responsibilities should be. I’m dropping my keys into my purse when I hear my phone buzz. I have texts from Ash. Lots of them. Nope, not right now. I haveboundaries.
Right on cue, my phone rings. Of course. If I don’t talk to Ash, she’ll keep bugging me all night. I fish out my phone and press my ear to the speaker. “Hey…”
“Get your ass to The Puck Drop,” she commands.
I make my way out to the arena’s staff exit. “Pass. I need a night off. Today was horrible.”
“Mhmm,” she says, unimpressed. “I know you. You want to go home and decompress in silence, and then you’ll end up all sad, stuck in your head, and somehow convinced that every bad thing that’s happening in the world is your fault. Then you’ll eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, drink a whole bottle of wine, and end up hurting yourself on that dildo ball I bought you. Nope, not happening. Get over here. No wallowing.”
“I’ll stay for one drink,” I say.
“I’ll take it for now,” Ash says. “Some guy is annoying me. I’d rather hang out with you, bestie.”
I accept defeat. There’s no arguing with Ash in the end, and I probably would feel better in her company than I would curled up on the couch, doomscrolling through comments on the infamous punching video.
* * *
The guy who is annoying Ash turns out to be Owen. He’s sitting extra close to her at the bar. They’re each holding a drink, though Owen’s hopeful expression doesn’t quite match Ash’s indifference. I’m pretty sure they haveverydifferent expectations about how tonight’s going to play out.
“Hey, Ash.” I bump my shoulder against her other side to let her know that her backup has arrived.
“Ash?” Owen’s brows furrow. “I thought it was Astrid?”
Ash smirks over the rim of her glass. “Are you new to the concept of nicknames?”
“No, but how do you get Ash from Astrid?”
