Page 111 of Game Misconduct

“And every single day he’s on the ice, he’s at risk.” I scrub a hand over my face. “I can’t ask him to quit. Not for me. But I don’t have to torture myself watching him risk his health and his life every day. I need some distance.”

“Are you breaking up with him?”

“What? No!”

Ceci stares at me, eyebrows raised.

“I love him.”

“You love him so much, you’ll quit your dream job because you can’t watch him play anymore?”

“Well, when you say it like that…”

“Sweetie, I get it.” Her hand lands on my arm. “You have to protect your peace. If that’s what you need to stay by his side, you go after it.”

Nerves swirl in my belly, but I force myself to ask, “Are you still willing to fund it?”

She laughs, the sound rich and husky. “Girl, I’ve been waiting three years for you to be ready.”

A wave of relief washes over me. “Really?”

“I’ve seen the way your mind works, and I know you can do great things. You will do great things.”

“No pressure,” I mutter.

“If you still want to work with the Grizzlies, they’ll fund it, too. It would be a joint project, where the foundation owns your research, but you’ll have nearly full control,” she continues. “We can start this as soon as you’re ready.”

“I—I want this. I need this.”

She squeezes my arm. “And it will allow you to still consult with the Grizzlies. The team needs someone like you on their bench. I understand if you can’t do the day-to-day, but if you want to stay involved…”

A wave of relief washes over me. Never did I consider that I could have it all; that I could still do my research under their umbrella.

“Seriously? The foundation would be okay with that?”

“I’ve already gotten approval. It’s your dream job,” she says simply. “Some dreams change. They don’t have to stay static. You can consult without being their daily concussion spotter. They can call you in without you needing to be on the road day after day.”

“I think I’d want that,” I admit. “I just didn’t think it was possible.”

“If we’re going to work together, it’s going to be a partnership. I’m not a dictator.” She gives a self-conscious chuckle. “I’ll keep the foundation away from you, so all you have to focus on is your research. I’ll be the intermediary. If all you want is funding, that’s fine. But I’m itching to get my hands dirty.”

Swallowing my nerves, I admit, “I’d like there to be some sort of sensor in my helmets. And if you were to design the code…”

Her eyes light up. “I’m in.”

“So we’re doing this?”

“We are.” She holds out her hand, and I shake it with a smile.

After a moment, she tilts her head. “You know, you were the last holdout. My last single friend. What am I supposed to do now?”

“You could date.”

Ceci’s bitter laugh makes my heart twinge. “Guys don’t want to date me. They want my money.”

“You know it’s not like that with me, right? I could find a grant or⁠—”

“I know you, and I love you,” she assures me. “I’m in awe of your brain, and I know together, we can make a difference in the world. But you don’t want to fuck me, and no offense, I don’t want to fuck you.”