ison

Combs in my rearview mirror. She was still

e championship ring on my finger. Step one of the

erra" flashed on the screen.

me after another sent my stats plunging. Apparently, dating a losing captain had become an emb

ause she missed me, but because she wanted to reclaim her place as the girlfriend of college hockey royalty. When I refused, her attempts to win me b

ce, warning me that one more negative

my family. Until I graduated and the board formally announced its succession plan, my status as the company's designated heir was known only to a small circle of relatives and s

n't cause drama. Someone to signal to the world that I was in

But there was a line she wouldn't cross. I could see it in

ssistant, Luc

voice was, as always,

eliminary report you gave me this morning. And prepare three hundre

sked unnecessary questions.

suggested. Eloise's father, Walter Combs, was a former firefighter who had been forced into early retirement by an on-the-job injury. Now he was fighting stage-fou

my chest. This felt like mor

ld. But now, I found myself genuinely wa

he adoration or lust I saw in other girls' eyes,

s vibrant and full of life, a stark co

gain. A text from

ka

little deer wa

of the library. Our first 'philosophy tuto

hone rang-the family line. I

ive minutes. Are you ready?" It was my uncle, Asher Knight,

becoming cool and authoritative. "I'm alrea

e garage of my private off-campus

nal conference call, Eloise's number flash

on hold and switched

athing ragged. "My dad... my dad is trying to leave

lessness hit me li

your location," I said, t

she ch

g to you." My tone lef

cation appeared on my screen. She was ou

e. "Asher, push Paris back ten mi

ause before he answ

and immediate

leared for discharge under any circumstances. And send the best private s

dle it,"

tion was already loaded into the navigation system. I wrenched the

there always so m

ed my brow with the other. I told myself this was j

all i