Page 241 of Breaking the Pucking Rules

“Yeah, and it’s a problem.”

“Case, you’re happier than I’ve ever seen you. How is that a problem?”

“Because I’m going to end up with a broken heart.”

She stares at me, and in her eyes, I can see that she knows I’m right. But those aren’t the words that spill from her lips.

“But you might not.”

“I appreciate the positive thinking, I really do. But let’s be honest here.”

“There is nothing to say that this will all end badly. If he feels even half of what you do for him, he might surprise you.”

“Parker,” I sigh. “He’s a father. He doesn’t have time for me in his life. His job is…as demanding as they get.”

“He came home from Vancouver early to see you. He still saw Sutton and took her to school, and then came back to spend the day with you. Those aren’t the actions of a man who can’t make time for you.”

“Today was an exception. It was a travel day. Once training starts up again tomorrow, I’ll be pushed aside.”

“Or you might not.”

I love Parker to death, I really do, but I’m not sure I can cope with much more of her positivity. She’s usually the more level-headed one out of the two of us. I’m the dreamer, the one whose glass is always half full, but for the first time in as long as I can remember, we’ve switched roles.

“Anyway, how did he react to you being Sutton’s new coach?”

My teeth sinking into my bottom lip is all the answer she needs.

“Casey,” she chastises.

“It’s fine. Hailee has sent them to some community outreach thing tomorrow afternoon, so he can’t make it to training anyway. It buys me a few more days to figure out how to tell him.”

57

KODIE

Iglance at my watch, hating that Sutton’s training session is in five minutes and I’m stuck here.

Usually, I love spending time inspiring young hockey players, but right now, this event for high school players hoping for a future in the league is the last place I want to be.

I want to see my girl cutting up the ice and getting ready for her game on Sunday.

Hell, I wanted to pick her up from school and be a dad to her again while I’m at home, but after a strength and conditioning session and an afternoon on the ice, then having to race across town to get here on time, it just wasn’t going to happen.

Hailee, our director of public relations, wanted as many of us here as possible and wasn’t accepting any excuses to get out of it.

She might only be five-foot-two with a waist that’s probably smaller than my thigh, but she’s a force to be reckoned with. None of the guys say no to her. I understand why, too. I’ve heard the stories of the kinds of things she makes you do if you don’t follow along with her plans.

I smirk as I remember a story Linc told me about the time she forced Killer to spend an afternoon at our local bird sanctuary after he refused to attend some other event she’d planned. He’s shit scared of birds and had to stand there with a glove on as an eagle of some sort landed on his arm and ate a dead chick from hishand. Not his finest moment, but it’s safe to say, he’s never refused to follow orders since. Something tells me Hailee knows most of the guys’ secrets and is more than willing to use them against us.

She sure as hell knows my weakness—youth hockey. Especially girls’ youth hockey. Sutton has opened my eyes to just how lacking the support is. I’ll do anything to help raise awareness and open the opportunity for more girls to get involved.

I watch the rest of my teammates chat to the boys who’ve come. They sign whatever they’re handed, laugh, and give advice where necessary. It’s great, but I can’t help but feel like something is missing.

All the young athletes here are male. Of course, that might be because there aren’t many girls interested in hockey at this school, but I find that hard to believe.

“Hey, sorry. Is there any chance I could get your autograph?” a boy, probably no older than fourteen, asks, handing me a Vipers jersey and a marker pen.

“Of course,” I say with a smile, reaching for the pen.