Page 14 of Blindside Sinner

“How?” I ask.

He shrugs like I’mthe dumbass. “Easy: make her life hell. A girl like that isn’t meant for a world like ours. The traveling, theparties, the puck bunnies. This life ain’t easy on fresh meat.” His grin is telling. “I’ve got ideas if you need them.”

There’s a gleam in his eyes that reminds me that Colin isn’t exactly stable all the time. He’d never hurt a woman, but he’d have no problem making them wish they’d never met him.

I’m wary, though. Despite how much I don’t like Sloan, I’m not ready to set Colin loose on her. There’s a weird, prickly protective instinct there that I have no interest in delving into.

Still, I appreciate that he’s all-in to help me get what I want. I clap him on the back on my way out the door. “I’m good, man, but thanks.”

With a wave to the others, I’m out the door and headed back to Coach’s office.

If I want Sloan out of my life, I need to get my shit together. At least enough that Hank will get off my case and fire her. Adrian was right—Sloan is a symptom of a much bigger problem.

But that doesn’t mean she can stay.

Coach’s narrowed eyes greet me when I step inside. “It’s too damn early for this shit. I’m not arguing with you again, Beck. Take the babysitter or Hank will cut you faster than you can pack your skates. Your choice.”

I nod at the ground, putting my best good boy face on. I need to tread carefully here. “What if she… quits?”

Coach raises one fluffy eyebrow at me. “You planning onmakingher quit? Because I don’t employ bullies. Not off-the-ice ones, at least.”

I wouldn’t call it a plan, necessarily. “No, sir. But we both know I can be a… difficult person to be around.”

Coach snorts into his coffee. I know he’s remembering all the times I’ve made things difficult for him. I don’t set out to be a dick; it’s just that I have no time or tolerance for idiots or bullshit. Anything that falls into those categories can take a long walk off a short pier for all I care.

“I’ve got a deal for you,” I continue. “I’ll try this thing with her—I’ll even agree to be on my best behavior—but if she quits, you tell Hank no more babysitters.”

Coach stares at me. I do my damndest to keep my face and mind blank. Then, finally, he sighs. “No harassing her or making her uncomfortable. Nothing physical. If she leaves, it’s because she chooses to. But I swear to the Big Man Upstairs, Beck: if I find out you’ve hurt her or treated her with any form of disrespect, I’ll cut your ass myself.”

“Agreed.”

I can work within those parameters. I just have to make Sloan as miserable as she makes me. Easy.

“Fan-fuckin’-tastic,” he mutters. “Now, go home and get yourself situated with the new girl. You can come back for practice tomorrow morning.” I lean forward and shake his hand. But he doesn’t let me go. “If you make an ass of yourself or this team again, I’m not going to be able to help you, Beck. Don’t put me in that position.”

“Understood, Coach.”

He nods, shooing me out of his office with a grimace that says he has zero faith in me. Too bad he’s forgotten one thing: I always play by my own rules.

I’m not even two feet out the door when I pull out my phone and start texting the group chat.

What are you guys doing this weekend? I’ve got ideas.

8

SLOAN

Two days after my initial meeting with Beck, I wake up to a text from an unknown number on my phone.

Come to the kitchen for breakfast. I have pastries. —Karla

Bless her. She already knows the way to my heart.

I throw on some clothes and dash over to the big house. Inside the mansion, I pretend I’m not majorly uncomfortable with the priceless rugs and paintings that cost more than I’ve made in my whole life.

Part of me is bitter. Money may not buy happiness, but it definitely buys comfort. And some ugly art.

The other part of me isn’t sure I’d ever be happy in a mega McMansion. It feels so heartless.

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