Page 34 of Slap Shot Scandal
Her answer surprises me. She sounds almost exhausted, with a hint of sadness coloring the edges.
“Huh. Something good or something bad?”
“Just something. To the outside world, my dad’s the greatest coach who’s ever lived. Unfortunately, he brought that locker room mentality back home with him. Everyone in the family was a player in need of coaching. He was tough.” She takes another shuddery breath. “Still is.”
Her voice drifts off and even in the darkness, worry lines stand out on her forehead.
“It’s hard to compartmentalize when you’re that good at something, I guess.”
She shrugs. “Must be. Because he’s retired and hasn’t let up.”
I chuckle. “So he’s a hard-ass?”
“Absolutely.”
“How’s he feel about you working in hockey?”
“Doesn’t love it. According to the greatest coach in hockey history, I’m better suited for ‘behind-the-scenes’ work that doesn’t sully the family legacy. His words, not mine.”
Biting at her lip, she plays with her bangles. “Apparently I lack the ‘championship-mindset’ required for front-facing hockey jobs. So here I am, trying to prove him wrong by rebuilding an entire franchise.”
Now I get why Harbor’s so motivated, so invested in this rebrand. She’s not just proving herself professionally—she’s fighting for validation from hockey’s greatest legend.
Risking everything on a relocated team in a small Florida beach town, betting her family legacy on our success.
“Bold move.”
She sighs again, shaking her head. “Maybe not my smartest play. Dr. Martina—that’s my therapist—because yeah, I’mthatgirl. The one with daddy issues. Anyway, she thinks he suffers from a generational patriarchy complex. I chalk it up to his need to be in control all the time. Either way, it’s really fucking annoying. You know he tried to talk me out of taking this job?”
“Really? So he thinks Florida’s a bad idea?”
“Yep. Fought me on it until the very last second. He even got me an interview with the Lakers the day we flew down here.”
“He’s really committed to your success, huh?”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s a lovely way of saying he’s meddling above his pay grade. The man’s offsides and right now he’s in the penalty box.”
Harbor licks her bottom lip and I can’t stop staring. Maybe it’s the tiny, enclosed space. Maybe it’s the constant tension between us, I don’t know.
Something inside me, deep-down, shifts when she’s around.
I know I should keep my guard up, protect myself and the team from the shit storm swirling around us. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am only to throw it all away.
But there’s something about her that draws me in. She’s competent and professional, yet strangely vulnerable.
It’s a compelling combination and I can’t seem to break away.
“I take it you’re not on speaking terms right now, then?”
“Not really.”
“I’m sorry. That’s a tough spot to be in.”
She flips her hair off her neck, fanning herself. “It’s fine.We’ve always had a rocky relationship. What about you? Your dad was a professional hockey player too, right?”
I cut my eyes at her. “You did your research.”
“Of course I did. What’s he saying about the move?”
