Page 89 of Pucking One Night Stand

A new idea starts forming. Wild. Reckless.Yeah, that tracks.

McCullum’s office looms up ahead. Frosted door. Big bold letters.

Head Coach: H. McCullum.

I stop. I can hear his voice inside, loud, and tearing through someone like a bone saw.

Just as I raise my hand, the door flies open, nearly smacking me in the face. Danny storms out, his face red, and muttering under his breath. “Jesus. He’s in a bad mood.”

He barely spares me a glance. The door’s swinging shut again, but I catch it with my boot before it closes, rap my knuckles once, then push it open and walk straight in.

McCullum isn’t tapping the keys on his computer, he’s hammering them like he’s trying to break through the desk. Growling at the screen, he doesn’t even look at me until I’m already standing inside.

“Well, you better come in and shut that door. We don’t want everyone knowing our business, do we?”

“Listen, before you say anything—”

“NO. YOU LISTEN TO ME!” He slams his hands on the desk.

I just stand watching.

“I suppose you thought that was funny. That childish prank in the parking lot yesterday, or should I say playground? A fucking airplane? Have you lost your fucking mind?”

He’s red-faced now, his chest rising like he’s mid-drill.

“I thought I made it quite clear about my daughter. You don’t speak to her, you don’t look at her, and you don’t even breathe in her direction. She’s not just some piece of skirt. That’s my daughter!”

I step forward. Steady. Controlled. “Have you quite finished?”

He narrows his eyes but doesn’t say a word.

“Look, I get it. You’d do anything to protect her. I respect that. That’s what any good father would do. But you don’t need to protect her in this case. Not from me.”

His mouth starts to move, but I cut in.

“Yes, I was an ass. I admit that. I’ll wear it. But I’ve fallen in love with her, and there’s nothing on this planet that’s going to change that. The only way I walk away from her is if she asks me to. Not you.”

He doesn’t blink.

“She’s having my baby. Your grandchild. And I’m not here asking for your permission, I’m asking for your blessing. I want to marry Cassy. That way, she has both you and me to look out for her. And I swear to you, on my life, I will.”

McCullum leans forward, his elbows on the desk now, locked on me.

“And as far as that punch goes, you know it was an accident. If I could undo it, I would. Hell, if you want to take a free shot, go for it. I’ll take it. I deserve it.”

I step closer and hold out my hand across the desk. “So, what do you say? Can I have your blessing to marry Cassy? And as I’m sure you’re aware, I also don’t want to be transferred. I am the Aces’ Captain.”

He stares at me for long enough that I start wondering if I miscalculated. Long enough that I’m half-convinced he’s about to lunge over the desk and throttle me.

Then he stands. Exhales. Stares down at my hand and nods.

He grips it. Strong and firm. “Don’t screw this up. Now get changed. You’ve got a big game to play tomorrow.”

***

So, here we are in the locker room. Today’s a big game day, and I’m back on the team. As Captain.

My mind? Firmly on last night after I left the arena. I had one place, and one place only to go. Tiffany’s.