78. Hayden

CHAPTER 78

HAYDEN

We arrive at the arena in record time. We barely spoke the whole drive, each of us consumed by our own thoughts, but outside Ward's office, I pause, touching her arm.

"Can you wait outside?" I ask her.

Her jaw is set. "No. I want to talk to Ward."

"I want to talk to him first." I swallow past the knives in my throat, barely keeping my shit together. I'm so fucking mad at Kit, but more than anything, I need to protect Darcy. "Please?"

"No." Her eyes flash with determination.

I sigh. She can be so stubborn when she wants something, which I still find cute, even if it's inconvenient. "We'll go in together."

After knocking, we hear a muted come in , and open the door to a tired-looking Ward behind his desk.

He waves us in. "Let's tackle this."

We take a seat, and I rest my elbows on my knees, watching him. This is my fault. I pissed off Kit. I kept my feelings for Darcy from him for years. He's retaliating against me , but she's getting caught in the crossfire.

I love her, and I'll protect her forever. I don't want to do this, but I don't see any other way .

"Once playoffs are over, I'd like to formally request a trade."

Trades are allowed again as soon as playoffs end. She's worked so hard for her dream, and I won't be the reason it's over. I won't compromise her happiness.

" What ?" Darcy pitches forward to look at me, jaw dropping and eyes flashing with anger. "No."

Behind his desk, Ward's eyebrows lift in surprise.

"Yes," I tell her before turning back to Ward. "Trade me. I'll go anywhere, and I don't care if I play defense or offense."

Not the complete truth. I've come to love playing offense, and I'm good at it. My whole way of playing has changed in the past few months, my personal life mirroring it, but I'll take whatever I can get and I won't complain. This way, Darcy can stay in her dream job.

I'm not thinking about how things were so perfect until this morning. I'm not going to dwell on how things could have been. How it could have been forever.

"You can make the announcement today," I add, but Darcy's shaking her head. "Darcy can keep her job. There's no conflict of interest, and the whole thing goes away."

Every part of me revolts at the idea of moving out, leaving her, not seeing her for long stretches during the season, but I can't see another solution.

"No." I've never heard Darcy use this stern, commanding voice. She looks Ward dead-on. "Let me go."

It's my turn to look at her in shock. Ward starts to say something, but I cut him off. " That's your solution, Darcy? To leave the job you're perfect for, after years of hating your career?"

"I can easily find a new job in Vancouver," she tells Ward, ignoring me. "The media shitstorm goes away, and you can hire another analyst. There are plenty of us out there. "

I stare at her, furious. How could she think this was an option? I'd never agree to this. "You're finally happy again."

"So are you," she shoots back.

Ward clears his throat. "Can I just?—"

"That's because of you!" My voice is loaded with urgency and frustration. "I'm finally happy because we're together, and I'd do anything for you."

When our eyes meet, she looks at me with such love and care that my heart cracks in half. "You love this team. You love living here. You've finally found your spot. I'd never let you go to a new team just for me."

"I would. For you, Darcy, I'd do anything."

"I know ." She presses her lips together and sucks in a tight breath. "And that's why I can't let you do it. I can find a job in Vancouver and we can stay together, but if you get traded"—she swallows hard, frowning down at her hands—"it's a death sentence for us."

"It's not."

"It is. It'll be so hard, Hayden. Eight months apart, with both our schedules? We'll barely talk on the phone or text, let alone see each other." She looks so fucking sad. I want to kill Kit for doing this. "You have years left in your career. How long can we really do that for?"

Within her words, I hear her actual question. All those things we saw at Streicher and Pippa's wedding, the life we want together, that's all on hold until we can be together again.

Some guys like Volkov play until their mid- to late thirties. It's rare, but it happens. I can't ask her to wait until then. To wait for me. Something in my chest wrenches with pain.

I hate both options. Both of them take something away from us.

"I don't know what to do," I admit, scrubbing a hand down my face .

Ward sighs. "Both of you be quiet for a moment," he says, not unkindly. "You've each made up your mind, but it isn't your decision." He cuts each of us a sharp look. "Either of you."

Darcy's face goes red, and I grit my teeth, sitting back in my chair.

"Neither of you are going anywhere." He folds his arms over his chest. "And if you would have let me get a word in edgewise when you barged into my office, I would have told you that." The corner of Ward's mouth tips up like he's amused.

Darcy and I glance at each other, hope rising in our eyes.

"I'm very selective and deliberate about who I hire," he continues, "and I only hire the best, including a stellar public relations department, who has been all over this since the second Driedger opened his mouth and insulted one of our own." He raises his brows at Darcy. "This job is a calling for you, isn't it? It's not just a job. It's your purpose."

She nods. "Yes. I finally feel like I'm in the right spot."

"I know." Ward reaches for a TV remote and turns on the screen on the opposite wall. Sports highlights play on mute and Ward fast-forwards until he finds what he's looking for.

"This aired twenty minutes ago." He hits play, and the sports reporter speaks.

" Coach Tate Ward has made a statement regarding the allegations of a conflict of interest against the Storm's recent data analyst hire, Darcy Andersen. ‘Darcy Andersen is an incredible statistical data analyst who approaches her role with the utmost professionalism. She is a valued member of the Storm family, and any comments to discredit her based on her relationship with Hayden Owens are sexist and degrading, a problem women in STEM face every day. On behalf of Ms. Andersen, the Vancouver Storm will be donating $100,000 to the Vancouver chapter of Women in STEM and making the nonprofit organization one of our official causes.' "

The reporter turns to her colleague at the desk with raised eyebrows. "That sure sends a message to Driedger."

My heart is in my throat as Ward turns the TV off and leans back in his chair, regarding us.

"The team has posted on their social media in support of you. Your old colleagues from Eckhart-Foster have spoken out about your professionalism and talent as an analyst. The Women in STEM group obviously are supporting you, and Jesus, even your old university profs are weighing in." He regards Darcy. "Don't let some jerk who's bitter over something personal drag you down with him. You're not leaving." He looks to me with a stern look. " You aren't leaving." He looks between the two of us. "Are we clear?"

Darcy and I sit there in shock. I'm not leaving, she's not leaving, and the future we wanted together is no longer in jeopardy. We glance at each other. She starts to smile, and my mouth tips up as relief surges through me.

"We're clear," I tell Ward, smiling at Darcy.

"Crystal clear." Darcy offers her own relieved smile.

"Good. Now, please get out of my office." He nods at us. "See you Monday."

I stand and hold my hand out to Darcy. When she takes it, I pull her out of his office.

When we're finally outside the arena, walking through the park under the cherry blossoms, Darcy stops walking and turns to me with a worried expression.

"There's something I need to tell you."