I padded out to the kitchen to make a cup of tea when there was a knock on the door.
I groaned and moved to the door, looking through the peephole as my father stood on the other side of the door.
I started crying all over again at the sight of him.
“Ells bells, open the door,” he said.
I pulled the door open and fell apart when he pulled me into his arms. “I’m so sorry, Dad.”
I said those words over and over as he held me in his arms and rocked me slowly before pushing the door closed.
“Come on, let’s sit on the couch. Everything is okay.”
I sat down beside him, using the sleeve of my robe to swipe at my face. “Everything is not okay. I’ve made a mess of things, and I let you down.”
“Hey, hey,” he said, his voice harsh now. “Don’t you put words in my mouth, Eloise.”
My dad rarely called me by my full name unless he was being very serious.
He turned my chin, forcing me to face him. “You’re wrong about several things. First off, everything is okay. Because what is most important is that you are here on this earth with me. You and I have survived a hell of a lot worse than you falling in love with Clark Chadwick.”
I blinked a few times, wondering how he knew that little tidbit as I’d barely spoken in the meeting.
“I know this isn’t casual. He busted into that office, declaring his love. Saying he’d marry you today if you agreed to it. Hell, he threatened to leave the team if they let you go. He looked me in the eye and told me that he loved you. I assume you feel the same way, because I know you, sweetheart. You wouldn’t risk all of this if it wasn’t something real. And that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. To experience what I had with your mom. And the fact that it’s with a man who I happen to respect and admire, that’s a good thing.”
“He said all of that?”
“That and more. He called out Randall and brought up the fact that other couples have had relationships on this team, including Wolf Wayburn and our chief legal, Dylan Wayburn.”
“I know. But we don’t own the team. And I’ve been having a relationship with a man who’s on the team, a team that I work for, so there’s that.” I shook my head and shrugged.
“Yep. There is that. But loving someone is never a bad thing.” He took my hand in his and smiled. “I couldn’t look at you in that office because I was not there as your father. I was there as the coach of this team. I was also blindsided and processing what I was hearing. I did not read the letters that you and Clark wrote to one another, and no one in that office did, aside from Randall. Yes, he read two short passages, where you both shared how much you loved one another, so I think Sebastian and Scarlett were in the same boat of feeling really bad that it came out this way. No one is upset with you.”
Relief flooded. I imagined them all sitting around, reading our most intimate words.
The tears started falling again. “Dad, is this going to affect your job?”
“No. But I wouldn’t care if it did. You are my priority, Ells. I’m very angry at the way that they handled this situation. I knew Randall was a petty bastard, but this… This is unforgivable.” He shook his head.
“Dad, you love this team. I will not be the reason that changes. You have to work things out with Randall. You’re the coach, and he’s the trainer. Sebastian didn’t do anything other than react to what was reported to him. But I do need a favor from you.”
“Of course, sweetheart. There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for you.”
“I need you to talk to Clark. He loves this team. They’re his family, too. When they terminate me, you have to promise me that you’ll make him stay. I’ll figure it out and land somewhere else. But he can’t just start over with a new team at the height ofhis career. This city loves him, his teammates love him, and you love him. You have to help him do the right thing.”
“If they fire you for this, I don’t think he or I will be okay with that. So that is not a promise I can keep, sweetheart. I’m sorry.” He pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me. “It’s always been you and me against the world, and now, apparently, it’s you, me, and Clark Chadwick against the world,” he chuckled.
I just rested my head against his chest and listened to the sound of his heart beating. “Clark came here, and I told him to leave.”
“It’s normal to be upset about this. The things Randall said to you… I won’t ever be able to look at that man again. I’m sorry I couldn’t stop it. But this is not Clark’s fault, honey. Don’t push him away.”
I lifted my head. “I’m not pushing him away because I want to. I’m pushing him away for his own good. Being seen with me right now is not a good idea. I’m about to get canned from my first job. He can still save himself. And he can’t do that while he’s sitting here, wallowing with me.”
“When did you get so cynical?” he asked, as the corners of his lips turned up. “Come on, no one has decided anything yet.”
“I just don’t see how we all keep working together after that scene in Sebastian’s office. I mean, Randall is my direct boss. He clearly hates me. I can’t very well work for him now, nor would he tolerate that. So, there is no doubt that they will ask me to leave. And I am not taking Clark or you down with me when that happens.”
He pulled me close to him again and hugged me. “This is hockey, Ells. People beat the shit out of each other one day and then high-five one another the next. Let’s not jump the gun, all right? Just hang tight and see what happens.”
