The Breaking Point, page 21
That made his eyes darken. “You sure about that?”
I nodded eagerly. With a wicked smile, Brady turned me over onto my stomach so I was lying across his lap, just like that time at the Scarlet Rope.
I was wearing only booty shorts and a tank, so it was short work to strip me bare. Brady massaged the globes of my ass.
“It sounds like my girl needs a spanking,” he said in that tone that made me wet. “My sweet little virgin just wants a cock inside her all the time, doesn’t she?”
I swallowed. “Yes,” I whispered.
Brady spanked me with one sharp slap. I gasped.
“I didn’t hear you,” he growled.
I looked over my shoulder at him. “Yes, I want your cock inside me,” I said.
A flush spread over his nose and cheeks. Then he spanked me again, making us both groan.
“God, I wish I’d brought a paddle with me,” he said between slaps. “But this will have to do for today.”
I wiggled and writhed as the punishment continued. I was panting, desperate for him to keep going while at the same time wondering how much more I could take.
“I wish you could see how red your ass is,” he said. “With my handprints all over it. I want to spank you so hard you can’t sit down for days.”
I moaned. “Brady . . .”
“Hush. Do you want everyone in the hotel to hear you?”
I blushed, only because I knew they’d probably all heard me last night. I hadn’t even thought about that until this moment. Mortified, I buried my face in my arm to muffle my cries.
Brady spanked me until my ass was on fire. Then, before I even knew what was happening, he flipped me over and yanked me to the edge of the bed, parting my thighs and burying his face in my pussy.
“Brady!” I squealed.
His fingers dug into the sensitive flesh of my ass as he licked me. His gaze was intense as he watched my reaction. I felt a flush rising from my chest to my cheeks.
“Your pussy is so sweet,” he crooned as his tongue circled around my tight hole. “Sweet virgin pussy made just for me. Isn’t that right, baby?”
I nodded. That earned me a slap on the back of my thighs.
“Answer me,” he commanded.
“Yes, yes. My pussy is all yours.”
“Good. No other man will taste your juices or suck your clit but me.”
I threw my head back as I felt my climax building. But right before the wave hit, Brady pulled away, leaving me on the edge and trembling.
“Not yet. I don’t want you to come yet.” He stripped out of his clothes to reveal his hard cock.
I reached for him and squeezed him at the base. I still couldn’t believe I’d taken this last night. Just the thought of being filled with his huge cock made me shudder.
“Take me in your mouth,” he commanded.
I licked my lips. “Of course, Master.”
It was his turn to shudder. I licked him from base to tip before swallowing as much of his cock as I could. I could taste the salt of his precum on my tongue.
“What a good cock sucker you are.” Brady combed his fingers through my hair, his touch gentle now.
I bobbed my head as I took more of his length. When he touched the back of my throat, I forced myself not to gag.
“Fuck, baby. God, you’re amazing,” said Brady.
I sucked and took him into my throat until I could feel his balls starting to draw up. Even I knew that that meant he was close to coming. Finally, Brady made me stop.
“Shit,” he said with a laugh before he kissed me. “You’re too good at that. I was about to shoot my load in your throat.”
“What about shooting it in my pussy?” I blushed as I said the words.
Brady pressed his forehead to mine. “Not yet, baby. But soon.” Then he turned away and barked, “Condom,” almost like he was commanding himself instead of me this time.
I sat back down and closed my eyes, listening to him open the foil packet before he returned to the bed.
He then flipped me back over and had me on my hands and knees, making me squeak in surprise, my eyes flying open.
I grabbed a pillow to hold on to right as Brady plunged his cock deep inside me. I screamed into the pillow. He was too big, too deep—it was almost unbearable.
“Fuck,” Brady growled as he pounded into me. “I wish you could see how tight your pussy is gripping my cock.”
I didn’t need to see it. I could feel it. I didn’t know how something so large could fit inside me. I gasped and groaned and took this punishment wrapped up in the sweetest pleasure. As Brady fucked me, his pelvis slapped against my sore ass-cheeks, only intensifying the sensations coursing through my body.
“Are you gonna come on my cock like last night?” Brady grabbed my hair and pulled my head back. “I can feel you getting tighter and tighter around me, baby.”
He was relentless. My vision blurred as my orgasm reached fever pitch. Then with a scream, I came, my pussy clamping down around Brady’s cock.
Brady kept thrusting and thrusting, a battering ram inside me, as I screamed in pleasure. At that point, I didn’t care if the entire hotel heard me.
“Fuuuuuuck.” Brady groaned and swore as he thrust one last time and came. I could feel his cock twitching inside me. It was so amazing that it brought on a second orgasm, which made me collapse onto the bed.
Brady gently turned me over and got on top of me, kissing me deeply. I could feel his still-hard cock brushing against my sensitive clit.
“I wonder if I could make you come a third time,” he mused.
I groaned. “No more, please. You’ll kill me.”
But Brady didn’t listen to me. He just kept gently stroking his cock through my folds, which were slick with my juices. I panted and moaned. He kissed me as he teased me into another orgasm.
He caught my screech with his mouth as my third climax hit. I couldn’t breathe. I wasn’t sure I’d survive this one. It was so intense. I could only hold on to Brady and pray that I came back to earth eventually.
“Shh, I’ve got you,” Brady whispered as he rolled onto his side and pulled me into his arms.
I realized I was crying. I buried my face in his shoulder.
“You’re safe, baby. I’ve got you.” He kissed my temple and rubbed my back.
Slowly, the tears and my trembles subsided. I gulped in air like I’d been pulled from deep waters.
I wiped my cheeks, feeling embarrassed now. “I don’t know what that was about,” I said, avoiding Brady’s gaze.
“Sometimes sex does that. And that was some fucking amazing sex. Don’t be ashamed.”
I nodded. I made myself keep taking in deep breaths until I felt calm come over me.
“Better now?” Brady asked, smiling.
“Yeah. Wow. That was . . . something else.”
“And that was just your second time.” He grinned. “It can only get better from here.”
I groaned. “I need a recovery period. Can I get a rain check? For like a month?”
“If you can wait a whole month to have sex again, sure. But you and I both know you don’t have the willpower.”
I sighed because I knew he was right. Sex with Brady would quickly become its own addiction.
And, really, why shouldn’t I enjoy it? Wasn’t this something I’d been wanting for years?
I snuggled closely against Brady, loving the sound of his heartbeat against my cheek.
And who’s to say how long this will last anyway?
Brady turned on the shower and looked me over. “Are you sore?” he asked, concern in his voice.
“Not really.”
He grimaced. “That means yes.”
Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t get Brady to believe me when I said I wasn’t that sore. And even if I was, it didn’t mean I hadn’t thoroughly enjoyed having sex with him.
It was still strange to think that I was no longer a virgin. I’d waited so long to have sex that now that it’d finally happened, it didn’t seem real. After our shower together, I stood in the bathroom alone, gazing at my appearance.
I almost expected that I’d look different now. I felt different. I felt like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders, in a way. Because now the unknown was no longer the unknown. Sex wasn’t this exciting—but terrifying—prospect.
It was messy, it was awkward, it was pleasurable, it was amazing. It was everything I’d expected and nothing I’d expected.
I smiled when I found a hickey on my breast. I didn’t even remember Brady doing that since I’d been so caught up in the entire experience.
Brady, though, kept giving me looks like he wanted to flog himself for causing me pain, even when everything we’d done had been consensual. When I made a face as I sat down to put on my shoes, he looked like he wanted to fling himself out the nearest window.
“We’re going to the store,” he said as he helped me up. “You’re not going to be in pain all day.”
My stomach grumbled. “Fine, but not before we get something to eat. I’m starving.”
Brady acquiesced, albeit grudgingly. I really wasn’t that sore. It was a pleasant kind of soreness, like after a hard workout.
We went to a drugstore, where Brady bought a variety of Epsom salts along with some arnica and menthol creams. I had to restrain a laugh at how full his shopping basket was when he caught up with me in the makeup aisle.
“Brady, I’m not dying,” I protested. I held up some bandages. “Or bleeding, for that matter.”
“I got some things just in case.”
I bit my lip as we went to the register. The cashier didn’t seem at all fazed by the variety of items: not only the creams and bath salts but also the bandages, antibiotic ointments, and condoms and lube.
“Maybe I should’ve gotten a vibrator,” I joked as we got back into the car to go to lunch. “They had a decent selection for a drugstore.”
“The only thing you’re getting later is a nice hot bath,” replied Brady resolutely.
We went to a local burger joint where the burgers were famous for being huge. A few people recognized Brady, but fortunately, nobody bothered him too much. We got our food and sat down at a corner table. I sighed in delight when I took a sip of my chocolate milkshake.
What was more satisfying than amazing sex followed by greasy food? I couldn’t believe it’d taken me this long to experience the two things together.
While we were eating, I got a text from my mom. It was innocuous, asking me how I was doing, but it reminded me that reality was waiting to bite us in the ass.
“We probably need to tell my parents soon,” I said after we’d finished our lunch.
Brady sighed. “You’re probably right.”
“You don’t sound excited.”
“Neither do you.”
I didn’t know how to feel. I didn’t want to hide our relationship anymore, but I also hated the thought of upsetting my parents. Especially my dad. And what if our relationship affected Brady’s career? That thought alone made me feel sick to my stomach.
“Come on,” said Brady, “let’s get back to the hotel for your bath.”
As we left, I felt people watching us as we exited the restaurant. To my dismay, a few paparazzi were waiting outside. They snapped a few photos of us as we got into the car and drove off.
After my bath, I was more relaxed, but then my phone rang.
“Grace Dallas,” my dad roared the moment I answered. “Why the hell were you just seen in Vegas buying condoms with Brady fucking Carmichael?”
BRADY
“Carmichael!” Coach barked after we’d finished practice. “My office. Now.”
Mac shot me a look and raised his eyebrows. After returning to LA from Vegas, I hadn’t had a chance to update Mac on everything that’d happened. But Mac—and everybody else—had seen the pap photos of Grace and me.
Coach had been surprisingly neutral toward me throughout practice, which had been even scarier than if he’d ridden my ass. It meant that he’d had enough time to turn his rage into something colder and more menacing.
“Sit,” Coach said.
I sat, only because I wasn’t sure what Coach would do to me if I didn’t.
He crossed his arms. Then he said, “I’m sorry to hear about your mom. Condolences.”
I felt like I’d just been given whiplash. I swallowed, a lump rising in my throat. “Thank you,” I croaked.
“I know you and your mom had a complicated relationship.” Coach cleared his throat. “Just, if you need anything, you know you can come to me or to Elise.”
I stared at him. Now I was completely confused. Was this not what I’d assumed this would be about?
“Uh, thank you,” I repeated.
Coach nodded and uncrossed his arms.
“Now,” he began, his expression turning ominous, “what the hell were you doing with my daughter in Vegas? Because it looked like you two were dating. Holding hands, buying condoms—” He grimaced. “Christ, what the hell were you thinking?”
I had to bite back a dark smile. This was more what I’d been expecting, and I had to admit, something was comforting in its familiarity.
I didn’t want to think about Mom, or my complicated grief about her passing. I’d rather Coach yell at me so I could yell right back.
I cocked my head to the side. “Do you want to hear the truth, or do you just want to yell at me?”
Coach narrowed his eyes. “You seriously getting sarcastic with me right now? Because you are on major thin ice here.”
“Well, your daughter is an adult. Which means she makes her own decisions about who she dates.”
“Stop fucking tap-dancing around the question. Are you dating my daughter? Yes or no? It’s a simple answer.”
I waited a beat, letting the suspense draw out. I wondered what would happen if I lied even though everybody and their dog had seen those photos of us together.
Then I replied, “Yes, I am.”
Coach swore. He started pacing, like I’d just told him I had an incurable disease.
I had to admit, his visible disappointment was a punch to the gut. I’d known he wouldn’t react positively, but it still hurt.
Because it would mean that he agreed that I wasn’t good enough for his daughter. It meant that, in the end, I was still some punk foster kid who’d never be a real part of their family.
Coach sighed and sat down heavily. “I hate this, Brady. I really do. You’re a decent kid. I’ve always thought so. But you’re not the right guy for my daughter. I thought you knew that.”
I flinched at his words. Had I really been hoping for a fucking miracle? That Coach would welcome me with open arms into the family?
You’re fucking delusional, I thought. You already knew how this would go down. It’s your own fault for hoping for something that could never happen.
“My daughter is innocent. She’s a good girl. She’s not the type of girl you like. You and I both know you have a . . . certain type, shall we say,” said Coach.
“Maybe I’ve changed.”
That made Coach bark out a laugh. “Seriously? Come on. I saw you on the plane with that flight attendant. She’s the type of woman you’re after. Which means you must be pursuing my daughter because you’re bored.”
I gritted my teeth. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Come on. Don’t fuck with me, Carmichael. I know you. Everybody does. The second you get tired of Grace, you’ll dump her.” Coach’s expression turned dark. “And you’ll break her heart. That I won’t stand for.”
“Again, you’re just making assumptions.”
Coach pointed a finger at me. “Either leave my daughter alone,” he threatened, “or I’m trading you to the shittiest team in the league. Far, far away. I’ll send you to fucking Saskatchewan.”
“Do they have a hockey team?” I couldn’t help but quip.
“You’re on thin fucking ice, Carmichael.” Coach leaned forward, his voice lowering. “You and I both know why you’re not the guy for Grace. If she found out the truth, do you really think she’d stay with you?”
The breath whooshed out of me. It took every ounce of strength not to run out of that office—or punch Coach in the face.
Which wasn’t fair, because I’d brought this on myself. All of this had been my fault. I knew it, and I needed to accept that and stop trying to fight against fate.
“Let her go,” said Coach quietly. “It’s not worth it. I don’t want to see either of you hurt. You’re like a son to me. You know that, right? And because of that, I’m not going to spare you from the harsh truth.”
I nodded tightly. I couldn’t defend myself. I’d only been trying to deny what was right in front of me. But reality would always come back to bite you in the ass, no matter how hard you tried to keep it under lock and key.
Later that afternoon, Grace texted me. It was a sweet text, full of heart emoji. It made my own stupid heart soar.
But as I was about to type out a reply, I could hear Coach’s voice in my head. I deleted what I’d typed and stuffed my phone back into my pocket.
I’d text her later. Right now I needed to go home and think.
I stayed up nearly half the night, wondering what the fuck I was going to do. Even as I acknowledged that Coach was right, I still didn’t have the strength to break things off with Grace. Not yet.
Aren’t you just prolonging the inevitable? Why make this worse than it could be?
I snarled and swore. I punched a few pillows. I paced like a caged lion. I stared at Grace’s text and felt like I was going to lose my goddamn mind.
Finally, in the early morning, I replied to her.
Hey, I need some time to myself. Just a few days. Don’t take it personally. It’s just me, not you, I texted her.
I was surprised when she immediately texted me back. I hadn’t thought she’d be up this early. I wondered if she’d been waiting all night for my reply, which only made me feel guiltier.
Okay. I love you, was her reply.
I swallowed hard. I told her that I loved her, too, and hoped against hope that maybe, just maybe, we could work this out.
And maybe pigs will fly, and Coach will buy me a sparkly unicorn.
I nodded eagerly. With a wicked smile, Brady turned me over onto my stomach so I was lying across his lap, just like that time at the Scarlet Rope.
I was wearing only booty shorts and a tank, so it was short work to strip me bare. Brady massaged the globes of my ass.
“It sounds like my girl needs a spanking,” he said in that tone that made me wet. “My sweet little virgin just wants a cock inside her all the time, doesn’t she?”
I swallowed. “Yes,” I whispered.
Brady spanked me with one sharp slap. I gasped.
“I didn’t hear you,” he growled.
I looked over my shoulder at him. “Yes, I want your cock inside me,” I said.
A flush spread over his nose and cheeks. Then he spanked me again, making us both groan.
“God, I wish I’d brought a paddle with me,” he said between slaps. “But this will have to do for today.”
I wiggled and writhed as the punishment continued. I was panting, desperate for him to keep going while at the same time wondering how much more I could take.
“I wish you could see how red your ass is,” he said. “With my handprints all over it. I want to spank you so hard you can’t sit down for days.”
I moaned. “Brady . . .”
“Hush. Do you want everyone in the hotel to hear you?”
I blushed, only because I knew they’d probably all heard me last night. I hadn’t even thought about that until this moment. Mortified, I buried my face in my arm to muffle my cries.
Brady spanked me until my ass was on fire. Then, before I even knew what was happening, he flipped me over and yanked me to the edge of the bed, parting my thighs and burying his face in my pussy.
“Brady!” I squealed.
His fingers dug into the sensitive flesh of my ass as he licked me. His gaze was intense as he watched my reaction. I felt a flush rising from my chest to my cheeks.
“Your pussy is so sweet,” he crooned as his tongue circled around my tight hole. “Sweet virgin pussy made just for me. Isn’t that right, baby?”
I nodded. That earned me a slap on the back of my thighs.
“Answer me,” he commanded.
“Yes, yes. My pussy is all yours.”
“Good. No other man will taste your juices or suck your clit but me.”
I threw my head back as I felt my climax building. But right before the wave hit, Brady pulled away, leaving me on the edge and trembling.
“Not yet. I don’t want you to come yet.” He stripped out of his clothes to reveal his hard cock.
I reached for him and squeezed him at the base. I still couldn’t believe I’d taken this last night. Just the thought of being filled with his huge cock made me shudder.
“Take me in your mouth,” he commanded.
I licked my lips. “Of course, Master.”
It was his turn to shudder. I licked him from base to tip before swallowing as much of his cock as I could. I could taste the salt of his precum on my tongue.
“What a good cock sucker you are.” Brady combed his fingers through my hair, his touch gentle now.
I bobbed my head as I took more of his length. When he touched the back of my throat, I forced myself not to gag.
“Fuck, baby. God, you’re amazing,” said Brady.
I sucked and took him into my throat until I could feel his balls starting to draw up. Even I knew that that meant he was close to coming. Finally, Brady made me stop.
“Shit,” he said with a laugh before he kissed me. “You’re too good at that. I was about to shoot my load in your throat.”
“What about shooting it in my pussy?” I blushed as I said the words.
Brady pressed his forehead to mine. “Not yet, baby. But soon.” Then he turned away and barked, “Condom,” almost like he was commanding himself instead of me this time.
I sat back down and closed my eyes, listening to him open the foil packet before he returned to the bed.
He then flipped me back over and had me on my hands and knees, making me squeak in surprise, my eyes flying open.
I grabbed a pillow to hold on to right as Brady plunged his cock deep inside me. I screamed into the pillow. He was too big, too deep—it was almost unbearable.
“Fuck,” Brady growled as he pounded into me. “I wish you could see how tight your pussy is gripping my cock.”
I didn’t need to see it. I could feel it. I didn’t know how something so large could fit inside me. I gasped and groaned and took this punishment wrapped up in the sweetest pleasure. As Brady fucked me, his pelvis slapped against my sore ass-cheeks, only intensifying the sensations coursing through my body.
“Are you gonna come on my cock like last night?” Brady grabbed my hair and pulled my head back. “I can feel you getting tighter and tighter around me, baby.”
He was relentless. My vision blurred as my orgasm reached fever pitch. Then with a scream, I came, my pussy clamping down around Brady’s cock.
Brady kept thrusting and thrusting, a battering ram inside me, as I screamed in pleasure. At that point, I didn’t care if the entire hotel heard me.
“Fuuuuuuck.” Brady groaned and swore as he thrust one last time and came. I could feel his cock twitching inside me. It was so amazing that it brought on a second orgasm, which made me collapse onto the bed.
Brady gently turned me over and got on top of me, kissing me deeply. I could feel his still-hard cock brushing against my sensitive clit.
“I wonder if I could make you come a third time,” he mused.
I groaned. “No more, please. You’ll kill me.”
But Brady didn’t listen to me. He just kept gently stroking his cock through my folds, which were slick with my juices. I panted and moaned. He kissed me as he teased me into another orgasm.
He caught my screech with his mouth as my third climax hit. I couldn’t breathe. I wasn’t sure I’d survive this one. It was so intense. I could only hold on to Brady and pray that I came back to earth eventually.
“Shh, I’ve got you,” Brady whispered as he rolled onto his side and pulled me into his arms.
I realized I was crying. I buried my face in his shoulder.
“You’re safe, baby. I’ve got you.” He kissed my temple and rubbed my back.
Slowly, the tears and my trembles subsided. I gulped in air like I’d been pulled from deep waters.
I wiped my cheeks, feeling embarrassed now. “I don’t know what that was about,” I said, avoiding Brady’s gaze.
“Sometimes sex does that. And that was some fucking amazing sex. Don’t be ashamed.”
I nodded. I made myself keep taking in deep breaths until I felt calm come over me.
“Better now?” Brady asked, smiling.
“Yeah. Wow. That was . . . something else.”
“And that was just your second time.” He grinned. “It can only get better from here.”
I groaned. “I need a recovery period. Can I get a rain check? For like a month?”
“If you can wait a whole month to have sex again, sure. But you and I both know you don’t have the willpower.”
I sighed because I knew he was right. Sex with Brady would quickly become its own addiction.
And, really, why shouldn’t I enjoy it? Wasn’t this something I’d been wanting for years?
I snuggled closely against Brady, loving the sound of his heartbeat against my cheek.
And who’s to say how long this will last anyway?
Brady turned on the shower and looked me over. “Are you sore?” he asked, concern in his voice.
“Not really.”
He grimaced. “That means yes.”
Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t get Brady to believe me when I said I wasn’t that sore. And even if I was, it didn’t mean I hadn’t thoroughly enjoyed having sex with him.
It was still strange to think that I was no longer a virgin. I’d waited so long to have sex that now that it’d finally happened, it didn’t seem real. After our shower together, I stood in the bathroom alone, gazing at my appearance.
I almost expected that I’d look different now. I felt different. I felt like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders, in a way. Because now the unknown was no longer the unknown. Sex wasn’t this exciting—but terrifying—prospect.
It was messy, it was awkward, it was pleasurable, it was amazing. It was everything I’d expected and nothing I’d expected.
I smiled when I found a hickey on my breast. I didn’t even remember Brady doing that since I’d been so caught up in the entire experience.
Brady, though, kept giving me looks like he wanted to flog himself for causing me pain, even when everything we’d done had been consensual. When I made a face as I sat down to put on my shoes, he looked like he wanted to fling himself out the nearest window.
“We’re going to the store,” he said as he helped me up. “You’re not going to be in pain all day.”
My stomach grumbled. “Fine, but not before we get something to eat. I’m starving.”
Brady acquiesced, albeit grudgingly. I really wasn’t that sore. It was a pleasant kind of soreness, like after a hard workout.
We went to a drugstore, where Brady bought a variety of Epsom salts along with some arnica and menthol creams. I had to restrain a laugh at how full his shopping basket was when he caught up with me in the makeup aisle.
“Brady, I’m not dying,” I protested. I held up some bandages. “Or bleeding, for that matter.”
“I got some things just in case.”
I bit my lip as we went to the register. The cashier didn’t seem at all fazed by the variety of items: not only the creams and bath salts but also the bandages, antibiotic ointments, and condoms and lube.
“Maybe I should’ve gotten a vibrator,” I joked as we got back into the car to go to lunch. “They had a decent selection for a drugstore.”
“The only thing you’re getting later is a nice hot bath,” replied Brady resolutely.
We went to a local burger joint where the burgers were famous for being huge. A few people recognized Brady, but fortunately, nobody bothered him too much. We got our food and sat down at a corner table. I sighed in delight when I took a sip of my chocolate milkshake.
What was more satisfying than amazing sex followed by greasy food? I couldn’t believe it’d taken me this long to experience the two things together.
While we were eating, I got a text from my mom. It was innocuous, asking me how I was doing, but it reminded me that reality was waiting to bite us in the ass.
“We probably need to tell my parents soon,” I said after we’d finished our lunch.
Brady sighed. “You’re probably right.”
“You don’t sound excited.”
“Neither do you.”
I didn’t know how to feel. I didn’t want to hide our relationship anymore, but I also hated the thought of upsetting my parents. Especially my dad. And what if our relationship affected Brady’s career? That thought alone made me feel sick to my stomach.
“Come on,” said Brady, “let’s get back to the hotel for your bath.”
As we left, I felt people watching us as we exited the restaurant. To my dismay, a few paparazzi were waiting outside. They snapped a few photos of us as we got into the car and drove off.
After my bath, I was more relaxed, but then my phone rang.
“Grace Dallas,” my dad roared the moment I answered. “Why the hell were you just seen in Vegas buying condoms with Brady fucking Carmichael?”
BRADY
“Carmichael!” Coach barked after we’d finished practice. “My office. Now.”
Mac shot me a look and raised his eyebrows. After returning to LA from Vegas, I hadn’t had a chance to update Mac on everything that’d happened. But Mac—and everybody else—had seen the pap photos of Grace and me.
Coach had been surprisingly neutral toward me throughout practice, which had been even scarier than if he’d ridden my ass. It meant that he’d had enough time to turn his rage into something colder and more menacing.
“Sit,” Coach said.
I sat, only because I wasn’t sure what Coach would do to me if I didn’t.
He crossed his arms. Then he said, “I’m sorry to hear about your mom. Condolences.”
I felt like I’d just been given whiplash. I swallowed, a lump rising in my throat. “Thank you,” I croaked.
“I know you and your mom had a complicated relationship.” Coach cleared his throat. “Just, if you need anything, you know you can come to me or to Elise.”
I stared at him. Now I was completely confused. Was this not what I’d assumed this would be about?
“Uh, thank you,” I repeated.
Coach nodded and uncrossed his arms.
“Now,” he began, his expression turning ominous, “what the hell were you doing with my daughter in Vegas? Because it looked like you two were dating. Holding hands, buying condoms—” He grimaced. “Christ, what the hell were you thinking?”
I had to bite back a dark smile. This was more what I’d been expecting, and I had to admit, something was comforting in its familiarity.
I didn’t want to think about Mom, or my complicated grief about her passing. I’d rather Coach yell at me so I could yell right back.
I cocked my head to the side. “Do you want to hear the truth, or do you just want to yell at me?”
Coach narrowed his eyes. “You seriously getting sarcastic with me right now? Because you are on major thin ice here.”
“Well, your daughter is an adult. Which means she makes her own decisions about who she dates.”
“Stop fucking tap-dancing around the question. Are you dating my daughter? Yes or no? It’s a simple answer.”
I waited a beat, letting the suspense draw out. I wondered what would happen if I lied even though everybody and their dog had seen those photos of us together.
Then I replied, “Yes, I am.”
Coach swore. He started pacing, like I’d just told him I had an incurable disease.
I had to admit, his visible disappointment was a punch to the gut. I’d known he wouldn’t react positively, but it still hurt.
Because it would mean that he agreed that I wasn’t good enough for his daughter. It meant that, in the end, I was still some punk foster kid who’d never be a real part of their family.
Coach sighed and sat down heavily. “I hate this, Brady. I really do. You’re a decent kid. I’ve always thought so. But you’re not the right guy for my daughter. I thought you knew that.”
I flinched at his words. Had I really been hoping for a fucking miracle? That Coach would welcome me with open arms into the family?
You’re fucking delusional, I thought. You already knew how this would go down. It’s your own fault for hoping for something that could never happen.
“My daughter is innocent. She’s a good girl. She’s not the type of girl you like. You and I both know you have a . . . certain type, shall we say,” said Coach.
“Maybe I’ve changed.”
That made Coach bark out a laugh. “Seriously? Come on. I saw you on the plane with that flight attendant. She’s the type of woman you’re after. Which means you must be pursuing my daughter because you’re bored.”
I gritted my teeth. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Come on. Don’t fuck with me, Carmichael. I know you. Everybody does. The second you get tired of Grace, you’ll dump her.” Coach’s expression turned dark. “And you’ll break her heart. That I won’t stand for.”
“Again, you’re just making assumptions.”
Coach pointed a finger at me. “Either leave my daughter alone,” he threatened, “or I’m trading you to the shittiest team in the league. Far, far away. I’ll send you to fucking Saskatchewan.”
“Do they have a hockey team?” I couldn’t help but quip.
“You’re on thin fucking ice, Carmichael.” Coach leaned forward, his voice lowering. “You and I both know why you’re not the guy for Grace. If she found out the truth, do you really think she’d stay with you?”
The breath whooshed out of me. It took every ounce of strength not to run out of that office—or punch Coach in the face.
Which wasn’t fair, because I’d brought this on myself. All of this had been my fault. I knew it, and I needed to accept that and stop trying to fight against fate.
“Let her go,” said Coach quietly. “It’s not worth it. I don’t want to see either of you hurt. You’re like a son to me. You know that, right? And because of that, I’m not going to spare you from the harsh truth.”
I nodded tightly. I couldn’t defend myself. I’d only been trying to deny what was right in front of me. But reality would always come back to bite you in the ass, no matter how hard you tried to keep it under lock and key.
Later that afternoon, Grace texted me. It was a sweet text, full of heart emoji. It made my own stupid heart soar.
But as I was about to type out a reply, I could hear Coach’s voice in my head. I deleted what I’d typed and stuffed my phone back into my pocket.
I’d text her later. Right now I needed to go home and think.
I stayed up nearly half the night, wondering what the fuck I was going to do. Even as I acknowledged that Coach was right, I still didn’t have the strength to break things off with Grace. Not yet.
Aren’t you just prolonging the inevitable? Why make this worse than it could be?
I snarled and swore. I punched a few pillows. I paced like a caged lion. I stared at Grace’s text and felt like I was going to lose my goddamn mind.
Finally, in the early morning, I replied to her.
Hey, I need some time to myself. Just a few days. Don’t take it personally. It’s just me, not you, I texted her.
I was surprised when she immediately texted me back. I hadn’t thought she’d be up this early. I wondered if she’d been waiting all night for my reply, which only made me feel guiltier.
Okay. I love you, was her reply.
I swallowed hard. I told her that I loved her, too, and hoped against hope that maybe, just maybe, we could work this out.
And maybe pigs will fly, and Coach will buy me a sparkly unicorn.
