Page 109 of Risking the Pucking Defense

Hayden: That’s a good start.

Hailee: But I’ve played it safe ever since.

Hayden: Taking a risk is scary. But sometimes, they pay off.

Hailee: And if it doesn’t? This isn’t just about us hanging out; our entire lives are entangled in this. My job. Your place on the team.

Hayden: I get that. But also…they’re just jobs. Don’t you think that life is too short to hold back because of what other people think?

My hands tremble. I agree with him, I do. We’ve both experienced losing people too young. People who should have had their whole lives ahead of them.

What would my brother have done in this situation? What would his advice have been?

A single tear falls free, racing down my cheek as I think of him. Lifting my hand, I swipe it away, hearing his voice loud and clear.

Hailee: It doesn’t make jumping to life-changing decisions any easier.

I wish I could do it. I wish I could throw caution to the wind and dive in with both feet. But my job, the life I’ve created here…it’s the only thing that’s ever truly been mine. The thought of doing something that will fuck all that up is terrifying.

Hayden: No, I guess it doesn’t.

Hayden: How much trouble would you be in if someone found out about us?

Us. There’s that word again.

Hailee: I don’t know.

It’s not entirely a lie. But I know without a doubt that the team owner and GM won’t be impressed if I’ve been sneaking around with a player. The organization has shown that it won’t get involved with staff members' personal lives and relationships as long as they don’t affect the working environment. But we’re talking player and personal trainer here; we’re not talking upper-level management. This is very, very different from Kodie and Casey’s, or even Linc and Parker’s relationship. There is a very high chance that my employment would be terminated immediately due to a conflict of interest. I’m in a position of power and⁠—

A sob erupts at the thought of losing everything I’ve built here because of a relationship that was born out of mutual grief and understanding.

Hayden: I meant what I said before. I won’t let anyone hurt you.

Hailee: That might well be too late.

His response doesn’t come for the longest time. In fact, I start to believe it’s never going to come.

But eventually, my cell dings and I immediately reach for it.

Hayden: I feel the same way about my ability to stop this now. What can we do to protect you?

32

HAILEE

“Hey, are you free for a quick chat?” I ask after pushing open Esme’s office door.

“Hey, yeah, of course. Come and take a seat.”

My hand shakes as I close the door behind me and walk on unsteady legs to one of the seats on this side of her desk.

“Are you okay?” our Senior HR Manager asks, studying me closely as I lower my ass to the edge of the cushion. “You look a little pale.”

I nod, but I’m not okay. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I’m seconds from vomiting all over her pretty, polished glass desk.

“I-I…I need to talk to you about something.”

I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, and it wasn’t because I was up all night messaging Hayden. It was because of the gut-churning anxiety our conversation stirred up.