Page 31 of Pucking Never
“I don’t need to make connections in your business,” I insist. “I plan on having as long of a career in hockey as I can if I don’t end up injured. After that, I’m going to stay connected to the game. I want to be a coach.”
My dad’s heard all this before but his eyes still narrow and he looks instantly irritated.
“You’ve indulged your hockey obsession for long enough,” he snaps. “It’s time you start really thinking about your future, Jensen, and Camille will prove a great asset in that regard.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I demand to know. There’s a sinking suspicion in my stomach as I stare at my father. This feels like a setup—like a trap. Why would he introduce me to Camille and not her father if he wanted me to make connections? Unless he wants…but no, that’d be crazy.
"Jensen," he begins, placing his drink on the table. The clink of ice sounds louder than it really is in the quiet restaurant. "Camille and I discussed it with Edward and we think it's a good idea for you two to explore… a relationship."
I nearly choke. Holy shit. He is actually trying to hook me up with this woman. I can’t believe this. "A relationship?" I splutter out incredulously.
"Yes." My father's voice is firm.
"You can’t be serious. Why would I do something like that?" I ask after regaining my composure.
"Business," my father simply states.
I scoff. "You want me to date someone for business? That's absurd."
"Jensen, please be reasonable." His voice is steady and calm. "It's a perfectly acceptable arrangement. Camille is beautiful, intelligent, and will make you an excellent companion. I have no doubt you two will find that you have quite a bit in common."
An arranged relationship. In the 21st century. The absurdity of it makes me laugh out loud, a bitter and harsh sound that makes my dad scowl.
Camille remains undisturbed by my reaction. She smiles serenely, her eyes flicking between my father and me.
"Jensen, you are not seeing the bigger picture here," she says coolly, her smile never fading.
I turn to her, incredulous and more than a little bit resentful. "The bigger picture? You think I'm missing the point here?" I laugh again. This time it's humorless and edged with a genuine anger that surprises even me. "Here's what I see: you, a complete stranger to me, sitting at this table with my father and talking about some sort of business arrangement that involves me dating you. Why should I believe you’re trying to do anything but use me?"
“Jensen!” my father snaps.
"It’s all right, Mr. Reece,” Camille calmly says. “I understand where he’s coming from.” She turns her attention back to me. “Jensen, trust me, I don’t need you or your father’s money. I have plenty of my own. Your father is right, though. I think we could really enjoy each other’s company.” The corner of her lips curl into a flirtatious little grin. “In fact, I think we could have quite a bit of fun together.”
"Fun." I let the word hang in the air for a moment before shaking my head in disbelief. "You can doll it up with any term you want but at the end of the day, this is insane."
"Just give it a chance, Jensen," Camille interjects, reaching over to place her hand on my arm. “I promise you won’t regret it.”
"That’s not the point," I respond, wrenching my arm away from her touch. "This isn't about comfort or feelings or anything normal people consider when they decide to be in a relationship with someone else."
"Enough, Jensen!" My father’s voice cuts through the rising tension like a knife. His face is flushed and his eyes gleam dangerously in the dim restaurant light. "This isn’t a debate. It’s happening whether you like it or not."
“And what if I refuse?”
“That’s not an option.” The finality in his voice is chilling and I have to remind myself that I’m a grown man and not a little boy being scolded.
“We’ll give you some time,” Camille interjects. “Clearly, you need to process this.”
I glance at her. She’s watching me with an unreadable expression adorning her flawless features. There’s nothing comforting about it, nothing genuine.
“Yes,” I concur dryly, “I clearly need to process the fact that my father is trying to sell me off to secure a business deal.”
I can’t believe he’s done this. I can’t believe his audacity. It’s one thing for him to try and interfere in my professional life, but to try to control my personal life as well? To think a part of me has still been seeking his approval. That I’ve still been looking up to him, deep down, despite everything. That’s over now. I’m too disgusted by this ridiculous plot, and there’s no chance in hell I’m going to do anything to put my connection with Grace at risk. I’ve put up with his criticisms of my career more than I should, but I won’t tolerate any attempts to control my personal life.
I don’t bother to wait for my meal. Shoving to my feet, I turn to leave.
“Jensen, come back here,” my father orders, but I ignore him. He’s going to figure out sooner or later that the more he tries to control me, the further away I’m going to run.
Chapter Sixteen