Chapter 121 A Break.

Chapter 121 A Break.
Asher's POV

I had my hands over my head as it rang harshly and Ethan's words continued to echo in my ears.

That day at the hospital when he asked me all that… it was actually to get information to give to Keith? How did he find out about the drafting? I never told him.

I stumbled backwards and crashed into someone who helped me back up at once, a look of worry on his face.

“Yo, are you okay?” He asked but I quickly hushed him, making him raise a brow at me.

Carter was literally confused but then I gestured for him to look over at the corner. He did as I said and immediately jerked back, his eyes wide in shock.

“What's he doing with Keith?” He whispered even as my heart sank again.

When he saw I didn't respond, he decided to eavesdrop like me, his brows furrowed in curiosity.

“You have to find a way to help Asher. What am I supposed to tell him? That I betrayed him to get into the NHL?” Ethan continued and I felt Carter stiffen beside me.

“You have to make a choice. If you wanna be a whiny baby, then you can forget about getting drafted.” Keith snapped as Carter glanced at me in horror.

When we heard his footsteps approaching, Carter grabbed my hand and pulled me into the practice room before we could get caught eavesdropping.

“Why did you do that? I need to ask questions!” I snapped at him as I tried to break out of his hold but he still held me back.

“Calm the fuck down, man.” He snapped back and I froze. “You're not the only one confused, you're not the only one betrayed. I need answers too. But I need to understand why Ethan would choose to betray you.”

I ran my hand through my hair in horror as I paced around, explaining what had happened from the beginning to the end without leaving out a single detail.

“Christ… so Ethan is the reason Keith found out and got you blacklisted?” Carter asked in disbelief and I nodded, my head in my hands.

“It still doesn't make any sense. I didn't tell Ethan about the drafting. How did he find out?” I asked, unable to understand how that happened but then I noticed Carter's guilty expression.

“Actually, Roman told me…” Carter started and I almost lost it. “He told me not to tell anyone but I had to tell my boyfriend. I had absolutely no idea that he would do something like that!”

“You fucking—” I grabbed his shirt before I knew what was happening, my teeth gritted in anger. “Fuck!”

I finally let him go as I grabbed my hair in frustration, wanting to slam my head against the wall.

Why didn't I just jump off the cliff when my dad told me to?

I walked out of the practice room in fury as I slammed it shut, not even flinching when it echoed through the hallway.

I prayed I wouldn't get to see Ethan because only Christ knew what I would do to him if he faked a smile at me again.

My body trembled with anger as I stormed back to my dad's office, only to find him making a bunch of calls.

He wanted me off the blacklist immediately.

It was too late though.

“Dad.” I muttered and he turned to me, raising his hand to shush me but I continued. “I'm quitting.”

He seemed to pause right after that as he hung up the call and looked at me in disbelief.

“What did you say?”

“I said what I said. I'm quitting hockey and withdrawing from school. I had to let you know first.” I muttered without remorse and he suddenly slammed his hand on the table hard, making me flinch.

“No son of mine will drop out of school. You will play hockey at the national team even if it's the last thing I do.” He said through gritted teeth and I almost smiled at him.

It was nice to finally see him act like my father because I was in trouble.

“I'm sorry, Dad.” I whispered and then walked back out, closing the door gently behind me.

“Asher!” I heard him call my name from behind the door but I kept going anyway, ignoring the tears that rolled down my cheeks.

What else was there to do?

I got blacklisted from all national teams. My best friend betrayed me. My boyfriend was leaving me. My dad was trying to fix what I messed up because I was too desperate.

What was the use of holding on?

I made my way back to my dorm and when I pulled the door open, Roman was sitting on the bed, like he had been waiting for me obediently.

Poor thing. I knew he didn't do anything wrong… but I couldn't bring myself to look at him.

Not anymore.

He got up immediately, a hopeful look on his face as he tried to reach for me, but I brushed him off. His face fell at once as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously while I walked to the closet.

“Love—”

“What do you say we take a break, hm?” I muttered calmly, like I wasn't dying inside and he froze.

“What?”

“A break.” I repeated as I grabbed my suitcase and started to stuff my clothes inside. “You don't understand what that means?”

“Baby, stop. What are you doing? Why are you packing? What break?” He asked in confusion but I yanked my hand out of his grip again.

“I'm quitting hockey.” I replied with a shrug and he immediately went pale. “I'll be withdrawing from the university too. Maybe we could take a break. See if this would work out—”

“No. No, I won't let you do this. You can't do this, please. Why would you leave?” He whispered in horror as he took my hands and placed them over his chest. “Please, give me a chance to fix things.”

“You can't fix this, Roman.” I muttered with a scoff. “Everything is gone. I was too desperate, too selfish and now I've ruined everything. This is the only solution.”

“No, no, listen to me. Look at me, please.” He begged as he made me look at him. He looked like he was about to cry.

“Let me go, Roman.”

“I can turn down the offer, alright? I'll forget about NHL, I just want to be with you—”

“Fuck you, Roman.” I snapped as I pushed him off me and he looked at me in horror. “Do not forsake your dreams for me. Do not do anything for me. Don't!”

Fury coursed through me as I slammed my suitcase shut and started to drag my bag out but Roman stopped me.

“Asher, please!”

“Move, Roman.” I muttered sharply but he shook his head defiantly. “I said move!”

I shoved him out of the way as I pushed the door open only to find Ethan standing in front of me, making my hand clench into fists.