39. Emma

Ipull up to the cottage and check my phone, which buzzed a few minutes ago. The day's events are playing on a loop in my mind. Lachlan and Keir were unexpected. Their support, their sincerity—it felt like a lifeline in the middle of this insane whirlwind I've been thrust into.

The text from Keir makes me smile. It's simple but warms me in a way I didn't expect. I send him a quick reply, then head inside, kicking off my shoes before collapsing onto the couch next to Anna.

"Hey," she says. "Want food?"

"Nah, I already ate. Impromptu pub dinner."

"Oh, nice."

We settle back down, and I sigh. Running an ice hockey team wasn't part of my plan. I always envisioned myself living and retiring in London, not dealing with sweaty athletes and rink politics back in my hometown. Yet here I am—trying to prove myself in a field dominated by men who think they know better.

"Do you want to come with me tomorrow? Get settled in?"

"Isn't Mavis there until Friday?"

"Yeah, but fuck her. If she's leaving, then you have every right to take over the show."

"Haha," Anna snorts. "She sounds like a real battle axe, but I think I might enjoy giving it back. It's been a while."

"You're missing work?"

She shrugs. "I mean, yes and no. Not what I was doing, but doing something, you know?"

"Yeah. Well, tomorrow, we will both go in there and kick butt. Taran told me I don't have to know everything there is to know about hockey. I have to know the business side. So, I'm going to concentrate on that for a while."

"Wise words from the hottie."

"Yeah, he's not wrong," I say with a laugh. "I can't let myself be overwhelmed by the hockey side of things when I've got the business stuff to get my head around."

"Smart move. And hey, if you need any help, you know where to find me," Anna says with a wink. "Right outside your office door! This is going to be so much fun!"

"It is, and thanks, Anna. I mean it." I smile and let out a long breath. Tomorrow is going to be one hell of a day, but at least I've got good people around me.

My phone rings, and I know it'll be Taran. I answer with a soft smile. "Hey."

"How did it go?"

"Good. I'm definitely taking what you said to heart. I watched them practise, didn't know much of what was going on, and tomorrow I'm going to sit in Dad's office and do the business shit."

"Your office."

"Huh?"

"It's your office now, Red," he says. I can hear the smile in his voice.

"Yeah, my office."

"Can I see you tomorrow? I missed you today."

"After work?"

"Whenever. Although don't ask me to come to the Warriors arena. I think that will make Lachlan and Keir spit feathers." He snorts.

"Oh? Why those two in particular?" I ask, exchanging a look with Anna, who is trying her best to eavesdrop.

"They both want you," he states, but with no jealousy or anger. "Lachlan got a taste and knows he shouldn't let you go. Keir is like a puppy dog that you're not quite giving enough attention to. He would follow you around all day if he could."

"Don't be mean," I murmur.

"I'm not. I'm saying it how I see it."

"You're good at that."

"So, what are you going to do about them?"

"What do you mean?" I frown, staring at Anna, who can hear every word; she is that close to me.

"Well, you have to make a choice eventually," Taran replies calmly. "Or not." He chuckles.

"I don't know what you're getting at, Taran. Look. It's complicated. Lachlan is intense, and Keir has this quiet charm that's hard to ignore."

"And me? Where do I fit into this little equation?" His voice drops to a low, teasing tone that makes my heart do a funny flip.

"You're not making this any easier, are you?" I laugh, even though I know he's waiting for an answer. "You are amazing, and I pretty much adore you. No one has shown as much support as you—" I stand up, moving away from Anna to her annoyance.

"Hey!" Anna snaps, giving me the finger.

Snorting, I add, "… and my best mate, Anna."

"Of course," he says with a laugh. "I pretty much adore you too, Red, and I don't mind sharing you, as long as you still want me."

"What?" I stammer, my cheeks going hot. "What?"

"You heard me," he murmurs. "I've thought about it, and this isn't going away. Lachlan never gives up when he wants something, and it's clear he wants you. It's what makes him such a great athlete and Captain. And Keir… that guy is in love with you if I ever saw anyone. Now, I don't know what arrangement those two have between themselves, but I'm laying my cards on the table."

"Fuck, Taran! Isn't this a conversation we should have in person?" I say, frantically pacing up and down.

He lets out a soft laugh. "Yeah, probably. But I'm a straightforward guy, Red. Better to know what we're dealing with."

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. "I'll think about it, okay? See you tomorrow, after practice?"

"Deal," he says smoothly. "I'll see you back at yours."

I hang up and turn to face Anna, who's wearing an expression that screams, ‘spill the tea.'

"Someone's in demand," she teases.

"Don't start," I groan. "I don't even know where to begin with all this."

"Well, figuring out what you want might be a good start."

"Thanks, Dr Phil. Very helpful," I say sarcastically. "But seriously… it's like trying to choose between chocolate cake, Victoria sponge, and sticky toffee pudding."

Anna bursts out laughing. "See? Now you're thinking about it the right way!"

"And what way would that be, oh wise one?"

"You don't fucking choose, bitch! You grab a slice of each, and you stuff your fucking face with it and go back for seconds!"

"Jesus!" I snap, throwing a cushion at her. "You're as bad as all of them."

"Why?" she asks, shrugging. "Who cares what anyone thinks? If everyone is on the same page, what does it matter?"

"But I don't know that everyone is on the same page."

Anna waves her hand dismissively. "That's why you talk to them. Clear the air. Figure it out."

I collapse onto the sofa, groaning. "Easier said than done."

"Start with Lachlan," she suggests. "He's the Captain. He's used to making tough calls."

I stare at the ceiling, feeling the pressure build up like a pot about to boil over. "Yeah, but this isn't just any tough call. This is me and my life and all of theirs. And don't forget the doozy of me being the boss of two of them and the rival of the other."

Anna rolls her eyes dramatically. "Who cares? Seriously. I don't get why this is stopping you."

"Because it's unethical!"

"How is it? They're already on the team. Lachlan is already Captain, and Keir is one hot enforcer—yes, I've been watching YouTube, fuck off—it's not like you can promote them because you're shagging them or demote them because things didn't work out?—"

"That's the fucking thing!" I shriek, startling her. "If things don't work out, how fucking awkward is that going to be?"

"You're going to be sitting in your office. You won't even see them."

"Well," I huff. "You just have an answer for everything, don't you?"

"And this is why my mother wanted me to be a lawyer. I'm good on my feet." She gives me a smug grin.

"Fuck you," I growl, but it's just me being defensive. She actually makes a lot of sense. But I can't be objective about this.

Anna's smile turns more supportive now. "You know I'm right. Just talk to them, Emma. You might be surprised by what they have to say."

I nod, though my mind is a storm of what-ifs. Tomorrow's practice is going to be interesting, to say the least.