Page 160

"I want you to understand what I'm telling you."

"I do."

"No, you don't."

"Yeah, Coach. I fucking do."

We went around in circles for a while before he finally came out with what he really wanted.

"I want you to end whatever this is between you two. End it now."

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it.

Brennan's expression darkened.

"This isn't funny."

"No, it's really not. And maybe you should care a little more about the person who's your daughter instead of treating her like a PR problem."

I stepped closer.

"And I'm never going to break up with her," I said, emphasizing every word.

The words sat between us.

For years, complicated has always been the point where people start packing.

After Wayne, Dad couldn't even look at me without seeing everything we'd lost. Mom tried to hold us together until she couldn't anymore, and then everybody scattered in whatever direction hurt least.

I learned the lesson pretty fucking well.

Don't get too comfortable. Don't assume anyone stays. And if you think they're going to leave, make sure you're already halfway out the door before they do.

I've been good at that for years.

But sitting in Brennan's office, I knew I wasn't going to do it to Quinn.

Not because Brennan was furious. Not because strangers online had opinions. Not because some GM might decide I was easier to move than the coach.

I wasn't going to turn her into another person I lost just because staying got hard.

Brennan studied me for a long moment before shaking his head.

"You're a fucking idiot."

His eyes closed briefly. When they opened again, some of the explosion had burned off, but he was still furious.

"Take the rest of the day."

I frowned. "What?"

"I don't want you on the ice today. Go home, cool off, and think about what I just told you. Really fucking think about it, Larkin."

"I don't need—"

"That's not a suggestion." His jaw tightened. "You've got twenty-four hours to decide whether you're really willing to risk your career over this. Until then, I don't want to see you anywhere near my ice."

I held his stare for another second before nodding. "Fine."