Page 50 of Rule Number Five

“You going to come visit soon?” I left the fact he’d skipped his last two planned visits unsaid.

“Yeah, the team’s got a break coming up. I’ll be able to fly in then. I miss you, kiddo.”

He wouldn’t miss me if he’d just show up now and then. I ignored the pain in my chest, pushing it down to where I couldn’t feel it anymore. I knew better than to trust the words of someone who put hockey in front of me. “I miss you too.”

His eyebrow rose, but he let my tone go. “What’s new? How’s class going?”

This time, my smile reached my eyes. “I got the internship!”

“That’s amazing. Way to go, sweetie.” Pride filled his voice. “See, all that hard work paid off. I’m proud of you.”

My mom wasn’t the only one who preached hard work and sacrifice growing up. What else could I expect from a dad in pro sports?

“Yeah, I guess.” I turned my face so he couldn’t read my expression.

“You still not dating. You know, I’ve always thought that was going a bit too far.”

Said the guy who abandoned his family. Thoughts of Jax invaded my mind, and the question ofwhat ifsnuck in. I wasn’t quick enough to hide it from my face.

My dad smiled. “Oh, you are? Does he go to school with you? What’s his major?”

“Kinesiology.” The second I said it, I knew it was a mistake.

His brows pulled together. “He’s not in sports, is he?”

Lie, or don’t lie. That was the question. Unfortunately, I was a horrible liar. “Yeah, he is, but don’t worry, we aren’t serious.”

My dad’s voice lowered, anger building. “What sport does he play, Sidney?”

I hated when he called me that. I took a deep breath, bracing myself, and got it over with. “Hockey.”

“Did you not learn anything from me and your mother?” his voice boomed, just shy of yelling.

“It’s different. We’re different. We’re not even dating.”

“Listen to me, Sidney. I loved your mother, but everything changes when you get to the NHL.”

“It’s not like that,” I protested.

“It’s always like that. I’ve been in this business for twenty years. First as a player and now as a coach, and one thing stays the same.” He leaned into his screen and stared me down. “Every rookie is a jackass, and hockey willalwayscome first.”

There it was. There was the reminder I needed. I locked down the pain his words created, even their existence, proof that I let this get too far. “I’ve got it under control.”

“You better, Sidney. I promise you this. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

The rest of the conversation was tense, and I broke it off early, using the excuse of needing to study. He gave me a quick I love you and hung up before I could say it back. I let the air whoosh from my lungs and dropped my head back on my pillow. Today really said,You’re making a mistake.Then repeatedly nailed it home.

My dad was right. I needed to throw the brakes on with Jax before I screwed everything up. I groaned, lifting to pull my computer onto my lap. The Human Behavior midterm presentation was in two weeks, and even though Jax and I had studied, I was still terrified I would fail miserably. I needed that recommendation more than I needed anything else. It was the last hurdle standing in my way.

An hour into studying, my phone vibrated.

Jax: You took off this morning.

Shit.

Me: I had to get home. Studying and all that.

Bubbles started and stopped on the screen for several seconds before his text finally came through.

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