Free Worth The Shot (The Bannister Brothers #2) by Jennie Marts

is none of your concern.”
    “Actually, it is my concern. Bane slugged that guy because he was protecting me. Trent Hadley is a complete asshole. He had a hold of my arm and wouldn’t let me go. He was the one making a scene. Bane was just standing up for me.”
    Her dad looked from her to his possible new player.
    She thought his expression was softening a little. “Dad, I mean it. Trent was physically hurting me, and Bane saved me. He didn’t punch him until after he said I was a worthless bitch.”
    The coach glanced at Bane. “Is that true?”
    Bane nodded and stepped forward, next to her. “Yes, it’s true. And I’m not sorry. I’m sorry that it happened in your home, and I owe an apology to you and your wife for that. But I’m not sorry I did it. If he walked out here right now, I’d punch the son of a bitch in the nose again.”
    Addison’s heart swelled. She knew Bane shouldn’t have been fighting, but she loved the way he stood up for her. She slipped her hand into his and squeezed it.
    The majority of her dad’s anger had slipped away. She had done it. She’d stood up for herself. And for Bane. And now her dad would let him stay on the team. Or at least give him a chance to prove his worth.
    She watched her dad’s face and saw the instant that she’d made her mistake. Saw the split-second reaction when his gaze fell on their joined hands. Oh shit.
    She pulled her hand away.
    But it was too late.
    “What the hell is going on here?” The coach’s fury was back, and this time she could see the veins sticking out in his forehead as he scowled at Bane. “Are you shitting me right now? I almost forgave the fighting. Addie almost had me convinced you were a stand-up guy. But this is utter bullshit. What part of no women do you not understand? Did you think I somehow meant that my own daughter was excluded from those instructions?”
    “It’s not like that.”
    The coach cut off Bane’s explanation, practically spitting his next words at him. “All I want is a yes or no. Are you—involved—with my daughter ?”
    Addison held her breath.
    Bane nodded. “Yes.”
    Coach Cavanaugh stared at him as if in utter disbelief. Then he raised his hand and pointed down the driveway. “You’re done. This is over. I want you out of my sight. Get off of my property now. And you’re on the next plane back to Colorado.” He shook his head in anger and disgust. “Let your coach deal with you. I’m through.”
    He stormed back to the house, yelling at the valet as he passed, “Get him his car. He’s leaving.”
    The valet grabbed a set of keys and took off running to find Bane’s car.
    Addison stood frozen, still in shock over what had just happened. She glanced at Bane. He looked like he’d just been sucker-punched in the gut.
    He ran a hand over his head. “I can’t believe it.”
    Addison tried to take his hand, but he pulled it away. “I’m sorry.”
    “I’m sorry, too.” He looked down at her, despair in his eyes. “I really like you, Addie. But this just isn’t gonna work. We tried, but there are just too many things against us.”
    What was he saying?
    “Look, I understand if you need time to cool off. Time to think.” But not time to walk away. Not time to end this. Not before they ever really got a chance to start.
    “I don’t need time. I need hockey. In the span of two minutes, my career just went down in flames. Do you understand that? If my coach doesn’t take me back, my freaking career is over.”
    The valet pulled up with Bane’s rental car, left the engine running, and handed Bane his keys.
    Bane pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to him. “I’d appreciate you not saying anything to the press about what you saw here tonight.”
    The valet held up his hands. “I don’t want your money, Mr. Bannister. I’m a huge fan of you and your brother. I would never say anything to get you in trouble or make you look bad.”
    Bane smiled and stuffed the