Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
My stomach twists. I thought we were being careful, that we had a plan, but everything he’s saying is exactly what I was afraid of. “You’re out of li—”
He holds up a hand. “Don’t try to deny. He threw your sister a damn birthday party. You’re with him and his crew all the time. I’m not stupid. And neither is the rest of management. And when I tell them what’s going on, what’s been going on, your coaching career is over. Enjoy what’s left of it.” He brushes by, leaving me reeling.
He’s right, except about the birthday party. That was Tristan’s doing, and everyone pitched in. Not that he’ll care. He’s clearly determined to take me down any way he can.
There is nothing worse than a coach who gets involved with a player. I knew this. Know this. And I did it anyway.
And now I stand to lose everything.
My dignity included.
CHAPTER 33
ROMAN
Lexi
Donnie knows, and he plans to tell management.
It’s been hours since that message landed on my phone. I’ve been waiting all fucking day to have a conversation with Lexi. It isn’t until Callie is at practice with Fee that I’m finally able to go to her place so she can share the details.
She tells me what happened while pacing the living room, her fingers at her lips. “I’ll lose my job, Roman. I’ll be fired.”
“I’ll retire early. If I’m not on the team, they can’t fire you.” It would solve the problem. “I’ve already floated the idea with Vander Zee.”
“What? When? Why didn’t I know about this?”
“Because I didn’t want you to panic. I mentioned the Hockey Academy option, mostly to feel them out and see if they thought Ryker was ready.”
“You can’t. There’s a month left in the season. We’re on track to make the playoffs, and Ryker needs the time to prepare.”
“If I had an injury, he’d have to be ready,” I point out.
“You will not hurt yourself to get out of the playoffs! Besides, if you retire early for me, it will make things worse,” Lexi argues.
This will already have backlash. There’s no way it won’t. But there must be a way out of this that doesn’t ruin her career. “I love you,” I state.
She stops pacing and turns to face me. “I love you, too.” Her eyes roll up to the ceiling. “This is not how I wanted to tell you that.”
I move to stand in front of her and take her hands in mine. “It doesn’t change the weight of those words.”
“I know, but management won’t care that we’ve fallen in love, Roman. I’m in a position of power, and I’m engaging in a romantic relationship with a player. Full stop. The story ends there. No one cares that we’re both adults. No one cares that you’re retiring this year or that you’re a decade older. I’m a first-year assistant coach, and I disregarded one of the fundamental rules. There is no getting out of this without a shitstorm.”
I hate that I’ve put her in this position. I should have kept my distance. Should have made it easier for her to stay away from me. But I didn’t, and we’re here, in this place I never wanted her to be.
There is a solution, though. “Let’s get married.”
Her eyes flare. “What?”
“If you love me, and I love you, why not get married? They can’t fire you if you’re my wife.”
“I don’t know if that’s true,” she whispers.
“The rules say no fraternizing with players. But if you’re my wife, that can’t apply.”
“Roman—”
I gently kiss the knuckle on her bare ring finger. “I want you. I want to be with you. I want to take care of you, and love you, and support you and the girls. I’m head over heels for you, Lexi. I’m desperate for the season to be over so we can be together. I think about early retirement on the daily because I want you more than I want to finish the season. You are what makes coming to the rink worth it every day. We get married, and we save your career, and we don’t have to hide anymore.” No more guilt. No more lying. The freedom to love her openly and protect her is all I want.
“I don’t want to throw your entire world into upheaval.” She settles a palm on my chest. “I don’t want the start of your retirement to be a media nightmare.”
“And I don’t want to be without you,” I reply.
“I don’t want to be without you either.” She exhales an unsteady breath. “I love you; I want a life with you. I just don’t want to create a rift with all the people you love if we do this. There will be consequences.”
“Teenage dad, remember? I can handle consequences, especially if it means I get to spend the rest of my life loving you. That’s bigger than some blowback from head office.”