“Kellan was an exception. A jerk. Just because he plays hockey doesn’t mean every guy who does is like him. You were a hockey player, and you’re nothing like him.”
“I know,” he groans, shoving a hand through his hair, before placing it back on the steering wheel. “I don’t want you to get hurt again. I just wish you would have told me. We used to talk all the time. Not so much lately.”
“Because I’ve been keeping this a secret from you since the start of your season. I didn’t want it to have an impact on how you coached or how you felt about Preston. I didn’t want him to get benched over it. Hockey is important to him.”
“I would never bench my best player because of his personal life. Not unless he was partying all the time and failing out of school.”
“Do you think you can accept Preston and me? I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I thought I loved Kellan but that was lust. Our relationship wasn’t based off anything real. But with Preston, it’s like I can be myself. He gets me in ways no one does.”
His frown slowly turns into a tiny smile that tugs at the corners of his mouth. Even in the darkness, I can see it. “If this is what you want and Preston makes you happy, then I’m okay with it. But I plan to talk to him. He better treat you good. You tell me if he gets out of line.”
I chuckle at his overprotectiveness. “I will, Dad. Promise. You will be the first to know.”
Chapter Nineteen
Preston
Coach Bryant leans his forearms on his desk and locks eyes with me. “We’re at Boston College on Friday night. I need you focused. No playing house with my daughter the night before. You got it?”
I stare at him, confused. “Yeah, sure. Got it.”
“You know about Kellan Lehane, right? Bex told you.”
I nod. “Yeah. She told me everything.”
“Listen, kid, I like you. You’re a great player. I have no doubt you’ll go pro. But Bex is not some puck bunny you can play with until you leave for whatever team drafts you.”
“I’ve never thought of Bex that way.” My tone is defensive, sincere.
Bex has never been a sex toy to me. From the start, I saw more with her, wanted more.
He flashes a closed-mouth smile. “Good. That’s good to hear. I worry about her. After what happened with Lehane, I don’t want to see her go through it again. You’re the first guy she’s dated since the incident. He did a real number on her and made her life a living hell. If you think there’s even a chance you will break her heart, I beg you to cut ties right now. I’m not sure if she can handle more heartbreak.”
Without hesitation, I say, “I would never hurt Bex.” And I mean it.
“You say that now, but things will change for you after graduation. This is only a temporary situation for you, where for Bex, this is her life.”
I cross my arms over my chest, annoyed. “I understand your concern.”
“The fame goes to a lot of players heads. You don’t know it yet, but it could happen to you, too. One day you’re a nobody, just a big fish in a small pond, and the next your face is on TV, in newspapers. You’re getting interviewed by ESPN and signing deals with Gatorade and Under Armour. That changes people.”
“It won’t change me,” I promise, because I honestly don’t think going pro will make a difference. “I grew up with famous parents. I’m already adjusted to this lifestyle.”
He sinks into the leather chair, his hands folded on the desk in front of him. “I’m not trying to give you a hard time. You’re a good kid. I know you are. I’m just worried about Bex.”
“You have nothing to worry about. I would do anything to protect her.”
“Do you love her?”
“Yeah. I do. I just haven’t told her yet. But I think she knows.”
“For both of your sakes, I hope this works out.”
“Me, too,” I admit. “I never knew how empty I was until I had Bex in my life. It’s like something was missing before, and with Bex, now I feel more complete.”
“You’re playing better.”
I smile. “She’s rubbing off on me.”
His expression mirrors mine. “She has a way of doing that.”
“Yes, she does.” I place my palms on the arms of the chair and push myself up to my feet. “Mind if I hit the showers, Coach?”
He waves toward the door. “Go ahead. Make sure you get some rest for the big game. The bus leaves tomorrow morning at eight o’clock sharp.”
I tip my head to him, and then get the hell out of his office as fast possible. This wasn’t as bad as I had expected. Still, it was awkward as fuck.