“Sorry. Can’t say.”

“I can take the three-game suspension down to two if I demonstrate mitigating circumstances to the league.”

“I appreciate it, but I’ll take the three.”

Even if my stats would tank.

He sighed and stared at his steepled fingers on the surface of his desk. After a long moment, he blew out a breath and brought his attention back to me. “I’m going easy on you because I think you’ve really turned a corner this year.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll let this go for now. But if you look at this Morrison again, the suspension will be a lot longer than three games.”

“Understood, Coach.”

“And if you start a fight with him again, you’re out for the rest of the season.”

Fucking hell. We both knew I couldn’t afford that.

“I won’t,” I said. “You have my word.”

Fine, so I couldn’t go after him on the ice.

And my teammates had my back.

* * *

Getting reamed out by Miller didn’t take long. But Bailey and I had to wait for the game to end before we could leave because Siobhan had driven Bailey and I gotten a ride with Dallas.

We killed time talking about anything but hockey. Or trying to talk, because Bailey was unusually quiet after I came back out. She was obviously upset by what I told her—which was why I didn’t want to in the first place.

Relief washed over me as players from both teams filtered out of the dressing rooms. All I wanted to do was get the hell out of here.

Suddenly, Bailey stiffened, her focus fixed in the direction of the concession stand. I swiveled in the direction she was looking.

Morrison.

My vision tunneled, and every promise I made to Coach Miller flew straight out the window.

I clenched my fists. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna annihilate that motherfu—”

“No.” Bailey put a firm hand on my chest. “Let me handle him.”

I grunted, pressing my lips into a thin line, breath shallow and jagged. Morrison was so close I could practically see my fist hitting his face. It was going to feel so good. The crunch would be music to my ears.

“Carter,” she said. “Look at me.”

I turned back and focused on her calm hazel eyes. My blood pressure dropped a few notches at the sight.

“I love you,” she said. “And I appreciate that you want to stand up for me, but I don’t want you to get in trouble over Luke. He isn’t worth it. I got this.”

I sighed. “Fine.” I wouldn’t argue with her because of this asshole.