Page 147 of The Offside Rule
“Cole,” Mom warned.
“It was a crush,” I said quickly. “That’s all it was. Hunter never did anything inappropriate. He barely noticed me that way.”
Hunter’s jaw tightened, but he did not interrupt.
Dad opened his eyes and looked at him. “You better not have.”
“I didn’t,” Hunter said firmly.
For the first time since we walked in, there was something in his voice that did not sound apologetic.
I took a shaky breath. “I think part of why I liked him, even then, was because he reminded me of you.”
Dad looked at me like I had just said something impossible. I pressed on before I lost my nerve. “The way he puts Isla first. The way people trust him. The way he’s kind when no one’s watching.” My voice softened. “The way he makes me feel safe.”
Dad looked away. Mom reached for my hand. The room stayed quiet for a long second. Then Dad looked back at Hunter, and the softness disappeared.
“Do you understand what this does to the team?”
Hunter nodded. “Yes.”
“No, I don’t think you do.” Dad leaned forward. “You’re my captain. You’re supposed to set the tone in that room. I trusted you.”
Hunter’s face changed. I could tell Dad’s words hit him hard.
“I know,” Hunter said. “And I’m sorry about the secrecy. But I’m not sorry about the way I feel about Catherine. You know me, Cole. You know I don’t give my heart easily.”
“I trusted you with my players, my family.” Dad’s voice roughened. “With her.”
Hunter looked down. “I’m sorry.”
My chest hurt so badly I could barely breathe.
Dad dragged a hand over his face. “So, what now?”
The question sat in the room like a grenade. Hunter looked at me. I looked at him. For the first time since this started, wanting each other was not enough.
Hunter swallowed. “I still want to date Catherine.”
Dad’s jaw tightened.
“But I understand that her position with the team makes that complicated,” Hunter continued. “More than complicated.”
“I’ll quit,” I said.
Hunter’s head snapped toward me. “No.”
Everyone looked at me.
I sat straighter even though my hands were shaking. “I can leave the internship. I can ask Larkspur Medical to place me somewhere else. Or I can take something at the hospital full-time. I don’t want this to affect the team.”
“No, Catherine. You aren’t giving up on your dreams,” Hunter said, firmer.
“Hunter,” I replied softly. “I can’t allow you to give up something you earned because of me.”
“It’s my choice to make,” he said.
“No.” His eyes held mine. “I can’t let you do that.”
