#movie #hotdrama2026 #trending #bestmovie2026 #Oops, The Hockey Captain Is Obsessed Dramax - BEST MOVIE 2026
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00:00I was born with heavy breasts and too many curves.
00:05My half-sister was afraid her boyfriend Jake would lose his mind over me, so she sold me
00:10to a dying man, Ryder Calloway.
00:14Sure, Ryder's injury means he can't get hard, but at least you spared the pain of having
00:21his children.
00:23Three months later, I was begging for mercy every single night.
00:28I desperately wanted to ask Claire exactly what she meant by can't get hard.
00:37Ryder Calloway, Northgate University's undefeated ice hockey captain and the most feared name
00:44in the collegiate league, was carried off the ice in blood.
00:48The hit had come from behind, illegal, brutal.
00:51By the time they reached him, he'd lost consciousness.
00:54His mother, Diana, had already lost her husband years ago.
00:59Now, she stood at the edge of losing her son.
01:02Someone on the family's legal team suggested an emergency contract marriage.
01:07If Ryder were married to a healthy young woman, legal stability and medical next of kin status
01:12could help the family manage his care and keep the estate in order.
01:16Claire accepted it for me.
01:18If I refused, she would pull out my scholarship funding and have me transferred to work as
01:23an off-campus cleaner.
01:25I knew she hadn't forgiven me for my history with Jake.
01:29Please!
01:30I swear Jake and I are just friends!
01:33What good is a vow?
01:35Do you know how distracting your big boobs are?
01:37Tis came without permission.
01:39Walking around campus with that body?
01:40Which man here wouldn't lose it the moment they laid eyes on you?
01:44It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't trust men.
01:49Do you know who he is?
01:50A billionaire!
01:55If my mother and Diana weren't old friends, you wouldn't even be considered.
02:00Claire, I don't want to be anyone's emergency.
02:02Wife, please don't make me-
02:07Eva, are you insane?
02:10Miss Claire, word from the Calamite house, Ryder has woken up.
02:14Claire dragged me straight to the Calloway house.
02:16I followed her through the entrance hall to a closed door.
02:20Through the gap, I caught a shape on the bed.
02:23The low sound of difficult breathing.
02:26Diana stood near the window, eyes red.
02:29She took Claire's hands.
02:32Claire, thank you for everything.
02:34He's pulled through.
02:37There's no need for the contract marriage.
02:39I won't ruin a girl's future over this.
02:42Claire's eyes moved fast.
02:44Mrs. Calloway, the arrangement should still go forward.
02:48Eva arrived the same day Ryder woke up!
02:50That has to mean something!
02:51Diana hesitated.
02:53She looked at me.
02:55Before she could speak, the family physician stepped out of the room, her expression flat.
03:00Ryder has regained consciousness, but the hit fractured his lower spine and struck deep into his inner, flint deep into
03:06his inner thigh.
03:08The nerve damage-
03:09He can't!
03:11He will not be able to get hard.
03:14Possibly ever.
03:15Diana's knees gave.
03:18Eva, knowing this, do you still want this?
03:24Of course she does.
03:25She's just a girl with no standing.
03:28She should be grateful.
03:30I didn't speak right away.
03:31My mother had been a gifted doctor.
03:34I learned my mother's healing techniques from her notes.
03:37Maybe I could take care of Ryder.
03:39Perhaps it was better to be the wife of a dead person than to be bullied by my stepsister for
03:43the rest of my life.
03:44I straightened and stood in front of Diana.
03:47Mrs. Calloway, I'm willing.
03:50I'll sign the agreement, care for Ryder, and be here as long as you need me.
03:55Diana kept her word.
03:57She had a proper wedding outfit made.
03:59She treated it with full ceremony.
04:02On our wedding day, Claire said to me,
04:05Even though Ryder can't perform, at least you're spared the pain of having his children.
04:10Don't worry.
04:11A man who can't perform there is probably exceptional everywhere else.
04:15I told myself I was simply moving to a new house.
04:20Ryder was too weak to stand through the full wedding ceremony.
04:24I completed the signing beside his team jersey.
04:27The one hanging on the wall.
04:30Number 7.
04:31His number.
04:34Diana watched the whole thing with her eyes wet.
04:37When it was done, I was Ryder Calloway's wife.
04:41A wife of a billionaire ice hockey stars.
04:45His room was quiet when I pushed the door open.
04:47He was sitting up against the headboard, pale.
04:50He turned when I walked in.
04:52Up close, he was strikingly good looking.
04:56Strong jaw, dark eyes that didn't waste any movement.
05:00I never intended to take a wife in the college.
05:04If you don't mind, we can treat this like a roommate arrangement.
05:09Tonight the bed is yours.
05:11I'll take that.
05:16Tomorrow you move to the guest room.
05:22Alright.
05:24He had thought of everything.
05:26It wasn't what I'd expected.
05:28Before the ceremony, an older staff member pressed a prawn book for me.
05:33She'd whispered with a strange look.
05:39There are other ways between a husband and wife.
05:41You might find this useful.
05:44I hadn't understood her until I opened it.
05:47Heat moved through me just from the first page.
05:50Is it too warm in here?
05:52Ryder was watching me from bed.
05:55Eyes steady.
05:56Direct.
05:58The formal wear is heavy.
06:01I'm a little warm.
06:05Get ready for bed then.
06:09I set the book on the dresser.
06:12I unpinned my hair.
06:14Then I changed.
06:16Layered dress off piece by piece.
06:18Until I was standing in just a thin nightgown.
06:21I looked in the mirror.
06:23The fabric was not thick enough.
06:26Heavy breasts straining against the cloth.
06:28Waists narrow.
06:30Hips full.
06:31In a thin nightgown at midnight,
06:33there was nothing left to hide behind.
06:35I moved toward the lamp and walked straight into his gaze.
06:39He wasn't asleep.
06:40His chest rose hard.
06:42The tips of his ears went red.
06:44His throat worked as he swallowed.
06:46I grabbed my hoodie and pressed it against my chest.
06:51Ryder, I thought you were asleep.
06:53I could sleep later.
06:55My breath caught.
06:57He rose to his feet slowly.
07:00Tall.
07:01His shadow fell over me.
07:03Image from that book flooded back.
07:06What did he want to do?
07:09Then Ryder turned and walked to the door.
07:13The moment cold air rushed in from the hallway.
07:17I came back to myself.
07:18He was already gone.
07:21When he'd looked at me just now.
07:24The shock in his eyes.
07:28Had I actually rattled him?
07:31He came back sometime in the night.
07:34His hair was still damp from the shower.
07:39When I woke up in the morning, he was already gone.
07:42His side of the room was empty.
07:44His assistant Sunny came to check on me.
07:47Ryder, why didn't you tell someone to run you a hot shower?
07:49The water in the rain showers is freezing this time of year.
07:52I'll make you ginger soup.
07:54You're going to catch something.
07:56Does Ryder, Ryder usually take cold showers?
07:58Not that I know of.
08:01I went to greet Diana that morning.
08:04Ryder was already sitting beside her.
08:08She smiled like spring had come early the moment she saw me.
08:12Her face only changed when Ryder coughed.
08:16Ryder, I need to talk to Eva privately.
08:19Go rest.
08:20He left without arguing.
08:22Diana waved me over to sit beside her.
08:25Eva, my sweet girl.
08:28My son waking up is a blessing.
08:31But I can't let that blessing become your burden.
08:35The doctor says the nerve damage is permanent.
08:38No one knows how much time he has.
08:41Some in the family suggested I name a different heir from another branch of the family.
08:45But that would mean trapping you in a life with no future.
08:48You came here to stand by him and I am already grateful for that.
08:52I can't ask you to give him the rest of your life too.
08:55I've already thought it through.
08:56If the worst comes, I'll have him dissolve the marriage contract.
08:59You'll be free.
09:00I'll see to it that you have housing and enough to live on.
09:07I hadn't expected her to think this far ahead for me.
09:10It made me think of my mother.
09:12If she had lived...
09:15Diana laughed through tears.
09:17Look at me making you cry too.
09:21Eva, call me mom.
09:22You might as well.
09:26And one more thing.
09:29Claire mentioned, you know, healing technique.
09:33Rider's daily health.
09:35The food, the supplements.
09:36Could you take that on?
09:39I just want him around a little longer.
09:41That's my small selfishness.
09:47I went to the kitchen and started planning.
09:51I carried the meal tray down the hall to Rider's room.
09:55He was at his desk giving instructions to a junior teammate.
09:59Something about defense coverage.
10:01Just leave the meal.
10:03I'll take it later.
10:07You should eat while it's warm.
10:09The supplements don't work right on an empty stomach.
10:12He glanced at the tray.
10:13Then at me.
10:14He sat down without another word.
10:18Going forward, have Sunny bring the meals.
10:20She knows the routine.
10:22I can do it.
10:24It's not necessary.
10:27It's the same either way.
10:32It isn't have Sunny do it.
10:38Let's go out and talk.
10:46That confirmed it.
10:47Rider Calloway did not want me around.
10:50Was my curve really too exaggerated?
10:55I followed his instruction.
10:57After that, Sunny delivered every meal to his studies.
11:01A week later, at morning check-in with Diana,
11:04Dr. Mills came by for his routine check.
11:06She said his vitals are the most stable she's seen.
11:10Eva, that's your doing!
11:13Then back in my room, I added it to the small box I kept in the dresser.
11:17You never wear any of it.
11:23I will eventually.
11:27If I ever leave, it all converts to something useful.
11:30You'd sell the things mom gave you?
11:32Not while I'm here.
11:34But if the marriage contract is dissolved one day?
11:36Yes.
11:38That's just practical.
11:41Rider!
11:44Rider, did you need something?
11:48I left some team footage in this room.
11:51Looking for it.
11:53I'll help you find it.
11:55What format?
11:57USB.
11:58Black case.
12:07Any idea where you left it?
12:10No.
12:23He was really handsome.
12:25Fair skin, sharp brows, dark eyes.
12:40My chest pressed against him and I could feel his hard dick.
12:52Your footage.
12:53Keep it.
12:56Oh no.
12:57Now he must have a worse impression of me.
13:02After that, I started actively avoiding Rider.
13:05He was healing.
13:06He needed calm.
13:07I was apparently not conducive to calm.
13:10But a new problem landed in my inbox.
13:12Jake had been messaging me.
13:14Three times in the past week.
13:16I deleted them without responding.
13:17And locked them in a folder.
13:20Eva.
13:22Eva.
13:23Someone's waiting at the side entrance.
13:25He says he won't leave until you come out.
13:27I already knew who it was.
13:32I walked out fast.
13:34Already irritated.
13:35I pushed open the side door.
13:37Eva.
13:39You finally came.
13:43You can call me Mrs. Calloway.
13:46Or just don't call me anything.
13:47He leaned against the wall.
13:49I'm going to be promoted to senior team after next season.
13:52I just think that's the scene.
13:54I'm going to be promoted to senior team captain next season.
14:00When that happens.
14:01I won't need Claire's family connections anymore.
14:05Eva.
14:05Come be with me.
14:07Rider's finished.
14:09Everyone knows it.
14:10Almost dying.
14:12What kind of future is that?
14:19He reached out toward me.
14:20I stepped back.
14:22You want me as a side piece?
14:24He nodded like it was reasonable.
14:26I laughed.
14:28Actually laughed.
14:32Why would I give up being a Calloway wife to be your secret?
14:36I am standing.
14:38I have a name.
14:39I have a house that could fit your apartment twelve times over.
14:44The whole campus knows Rylar's washed up.
14:50Seems like a waste.
14:54My stomach turned.
14:55I stepped closer.
14:57My voice went quiet.
14:58You want to push this?
15:00I have every message you've sent me saved.
15:03I can have them on Claire's phone in ten minutes.
15:11How does your captainship look after that?
15:16His face went white.
15:17I turned and walked back through the door.
15:20Behind me, I heard him start to say something.
15:24I closed the door.
15:27I spun around and nearly walked into Ryder.
15:31He was standing less than two feet away in a dark team jacket.
15:36I hadn't heard him come up.
15:39Ryder, I...
15:40His eyes were level.
15:42Not cold.
15:43Something else.
15:45My face got warm.
15:48That was...
15:49I was making a point.
15:50I didn't mean to overstep.
15:54You told him I was the most celebrated athlete in the league.
16:00That's just true.
16:02Ryder tilted his head slightly.
16:04Something moved in his expression.
16:05A minute ago you said you were my wife.
16:07Now you're back to Ryder?
16:14I...
16:16I'll go check on your afternoon supplement timing.
16:18I tried to step past him.
16:20His hand caught my arm.
16:21Gentle but there.
16:24I stumbled sideways into his chest.
16:33I looked up at him from three inches away.
16:36His eyes were dark and very close.
16:39The things you said just now...
16:44Were they true?
16:45I couldn't tell him the whole truth was just a bluff for Jake's benefit.
16:49So I looked up at him and said nothing.
16:52Ryder's eyes stayed on my face.
16:54The distance between us was wrong.
16:56Too close.
16:56His breath warm.
16:57His hand still around my arm.
17:00Eva...
17:01The supplement timing.
17:02I should go check.
17:05He let go.
17:06I walked away fast.
17:08Behind me nothing.
17:09No footsteps.
17:10Just silence.
17:12That was the first time I'd seen colour in Ryder Calloway's face.
17:17My heart was going completely haywire.
17:23That night I dreamed about him.
17:26Nothing specific.
17:28Just his voice in the dark.
17:29Low and close.
17:30Eva...
17:30Saying my name in a way that made my chest ache.
17:33I woke up with my pulse pounding and the sheets twisted.
17:36Sunny knocked and came in.
17:37I asked her to bring cold water.
17:39It really is getting warmer.
17:43I pressed a handful of cold water against my face.
17:47Then, I thought about Ryder going to take that cold shower in the middle of the night.
17:51I shook the thought out of my head immediately.
17:53He had nerve damage.
17:54He was healing.
17:56This was absurd.
17:57Mrs. Calloway is having dinner in the courtyard tonight.
18:00She'd like you both there.
18:02Diana's housekeeper came to find me.
18:04I'd been finding reasons to avoid shared meals all week.
18:08Diana had noticed.
18:09I couldn't keep saying no.
18:11I walked out to the small yard behind the house.
18:14As the evening light came through the trees.
18:17The spread on the table was everything I liked.
18:20I stood there looking at it.
18:22Ryder remembered.
18:22He asked the kitchen this morning.
18:27My mother had died the night I was born.
18:31No one had ever made a point of the date.
18:34Something moved in my chest.
18:36Small and uninvited.
18:38How did you know today was my birthday?
18:40I forgot myself.
18:42The marriage registration paperwork.
18:44It listed your date of birth.
18:48Jesus, they did have to think and say it.
18:50I do that.
18:52This is a bottle I've been saving.
18:55Good apple cider.
18:57And it's or not.
18:58I'm opening it for you tonight.
19:00Don't let either of you drink too much.
19:05Actually, the night air is too cold for my joints.
19:08I'll leave you two to enjoy it.
19:14She was gone before I could say anything.
19:16The yard went quiet.
19:18To avoid the silence, I poured a glass and drank it faster than I should have.
19:22It was sweet.
19:23It was also stronger than it tasted.
19:26I poured another, then another.
19:28The warmth spread up through my chest and behind my eyes.
19:32I reached toward the last small cake on the plate in the middle and found it empty.
19:37Where did the last one go?
19:39I ate it.
19:43I don't know where the nerve came from.
19:45I leaned toward him.
19:47Who said you could have the last one?
19:49Give it back.
19:49Rider stared at me.
19:50Then he opened his mouth.
19:51You'll have to come find it yourself.
19:53I looked at his mouth, then back at his eyes, then back at his mouth.
19:56I leaned forward and kissed him.
19:58He went completely still.
20:00His breath stopped.
20:01Then his hand came up to the back of my head.
20:03And the kiss went deeper, slower, like he'd been waiting for it.
20:07Footsteps on the gravel path.
20:09We broke apart.
20:10Rider!
20:10Diana said it's getting cold.
20:12She wanted me to-
20:13She stopped.
20:14Looked at us.
20:14I'll just leave these here.
20:16I stood up too fast.
20:18The yard tilted.
20:19My knees went the wrong way.
20:20Everything went dark.
20:22I woke up to the morning light and a headache like a fist behind my eyes.
20:25I sat up fast.
20:27Diana.
20:27The church visit.
20:28I'd promised I'd go with her this morning.
20:31Don't rush.
20:31Sunny appeared in the doorway.
20:33The car isn't ready yet.
20:34Did I-
20:35How did I get back here?
20:36Rider carried you in.
20:38I looked at her.
20:39She nodded seriously.
20:40I didn't say anything strange, did I?
20:42You kept grabbing his sleeve and calling him baby.
20:45She pressed a hand over her mouth.
20:47Over and over.
20:48He turned so red.
20:50I thought he was going to faint too.
20:51Sunny!
20:52If you tell anyone-
20:53She was already running.
20:54I found Diana at the front door.
20:57We drove out to the botanical gardens.
20:58She liked the greenhouse there on weekend mornings.
21:01And said it was peaceful.
21:02I sat in the passenger seat staring out the window.
21:05Still half mortified.
21:06Diana glanced over.
21:07You're not thinking about what I think you're thinking about.
21:10I've...
21:11Talked to you about anything.
21:12Eva.
21:13She kept her eyes on the road.
21:14But she was smiling.
21:15I arranged this dinner on purpose.
21:18I'm not sorry about it.
21:19Rider and I are not-
21:21I know.
21:22I know.
21:22She waved a hand.
21:24I just want you two to be able to talk.
21:26Even if it can't be more than that.
21:27I'd rather you were friends than strangers living in the same house.
21:30I was about to answer her.
21:32The car lurched.
21:33A sharp horn.
21:34Diana yanked the wheel.
21:35The car swerved hard onto the shoulder and the engine sputtered out.
21:39The brakes!
21:39She pressed the pedal again.
21:41Nothing.
21:42We were on the incline road above the park.
21:44Still moving.
21:45Getting faster.
21:46I looked ahead.
21:47A concrete barrier at the curve.
21:49Maybe 300 meters.
21:50Diana.
21:51Unbuckle.
21:52We have to get out now.
21:53Eva, that's too dangerous!
21:54The barrier is faster.
21:56Unbuckle.
21:57Hold onto me.
21:58We go on three.
21:59She was shaking but she moved.
22:00I got my door open.
22:02Locked my arm through hers.
22:03And the moment the car drifted toward the far shoulder, I pulled us both out and hit the
22:08slope hard.
22:09We rolled.
22:10I got my arms around her and took the ground on my side.
22:13My back.
22:13My elbow.
22:14The car struck the barrier 20 meters ahead with a sound like a gunshot.
22:18Silence.
22:19Diana, are you hurt?
22:20Tell me why.
22:20I was already checking her.
22:22Eva, you're bleeding.
22:23The gravel had opened up my forearm and one side of my face.
22:26I didn't feel it yet.
22:28Adrenaline.
22:28I'm fine.
22:29Are you hurt anywhere?
22:30Nothing serious.
22:32Eva, you covered me the entire way down.
22:35I helped her sit up against the slope.
22:36She was already crying.
22:38I'm fine.
22:39Sunny's car.
22:40She's going right behind us.
22:42She'll be calling for help.
22:43I heard my own voice as if from a distance.
22:45Steady.
22:45Calm.
22:46While every nerve in my body screamed.
22:48A sound.
22:49Footsteps.
22:50Fast.
22:50Coming down the slope.
22:51I thought I was imagining it.
22:53Eva!
22:54Don't move!
22:55I've got you!
22:55Ryder's voice.
22:56He came down the bank fast.
22:58Pale.
22:59Jaw set.
22:59Eyes scanning me.
23:01He took my arm in both hands.
23:02How much blood is this?
23:04Where's the source?
23:05Surface.
23:06I'm fine.
23:07Stop saying that.
23:08He pulled off his jacket and pressed it to my forearm.
23:10You're not fine.
23:11He looked at his mother.
23:13She waved him back to me.
23:14I'm alright, Ryder.
23:15Take care of Eva.
23:16He tied the jacket around my arm and lifted me before I could protest.
23:19I was in his arms, off the ground.
23:22I could feel his chest rising too fast.
23:24You could have been killed.
23:25Like he was saying to himself.
23:27He carried me to the road.
23:28The whole way I kept telling him I could walk.
23:30He kept not listening.
23:31By the time the medics arrived, his face was still wrong.
23:34Too tight.
23:34Too pale.
23:35Diana told the medic everything.
23:37Eva pulled me out.
23:39She took all of it.
23:40Every impact.
23:41I walked away without a scratch because of her.
23:44Ryder stood at the edge of the group.
23:45Hands in his pockets.
23:47Looking at me.
23:47I looked back.
23:48You need to lie still.
23:50When they finished wrapping my arm.
23:51I know.
23:52We're going straight to the doctor.
23:54I know.
23:54He helped me get into the car.
23:55We drove in silence.
23:57His hand stayed on the back of my seat the hallway.
23:59Not touching me.
24:00Just there.
24:01At one point, I felt something hit my face.
24:04I looked up at the clear sky.
24:06Then, I realized it wasn't rain.
24:08I reached over and covered his hand with mine.
24:10Just for a second.
24:11He turned it palm up without hesitation and held on.
24:14I didn't let go.
24:15Dr. Mills patched my arm and told me to stay in bed for a week.
24:18No fractures.
24:19Lots of bruising.
24:19A dislocated finger that she reset without ceremony.
24:22I lay there after she left and looked at the ceiling.
24:25Sunny came in with soup.
24:27She kept talking.
24:28The car had been tempered with.
24:29Something in the brake line.
24:30The private security team was already investigating.
24:33Who would go after Diana's car?
24:35And why now?
24:36I was still turning it over when the door opened.
24:39Ryder.
24:39He stood in the doorway holding a small wooden box.
24:42He set it on the nightstand and sat down in the chair beside the bed.
24:46He didn't speak right away.
24:47The brake line was cut.
24:49It wasn't an accident.
24:50Do you know who?
24:51Working on it.
24:52He looked at my wrapped arm.
24:53His jaw moved.
24:54You kept my mother from going over that bank.
24:56She would have done the same for me.
24:58That's not the point.
24:59He was quiet again.
25:00Eva, I need to tell you something.
25:02He looked at the window.
25:03I've known for two months that I was going to have to dissolve the marriage contract.
25:07I asked Dr. Mins to start preparing the documentation.
25:10My chest went still.
25:11I knew you were waiting for it.
25:13The way you kept your distance.
25:14The box of things you were converting to cash and you were always going to leave.
25:18I told myself I was just getting ahead of it.
25:20For you.
25:20He turned back to me.
25:21His eyes were flat and direct.
25:23The dissolution papers are ready.
25:25You can go whenever you want.
25:26I had Sunny prepare an account and a sum that will cover you for as long as you need.
25:30You don't wait for me to die.
25:31You don't have to keep pretending.
25:33I opened my mouth.
25:34Nothing came out.
25:35I know you've been counting the days.
25:37You don't have to do that anymore.
25:38Just go.
25:39He stood up and walked out.
25:40I sat there in the quiet after he left.
25:43In your mind, that's who I am.
25:45My throat was burning.
25:46I couldn't find words for it.
25:47I just sat there with both hands in my lap, staring at the door he'd closed behind him.
25:51By afternoon, a formal notice appeared outside the university athletic office.
25:55His name on it.
25:56Claire came and found me before I could read it myself.
25:59She was pale.
26:00Eva.
26:01Ryder.
26:01He's been accused.
26:02An anonymous report submitted to the league.
26:05They're saying he deliberately threw the Westfield championship game two years ago.
26:08Fix the outcome.
26:09Share defensive plays with the other team.
26:11I read the notice twice.
26:13Ryder Calloway.
26:14Threw games?
26:14He had more championship trophies than any athlete in the league's history.
26:18He had nothing to gain.
26:20And, he had rushed to dissolve the contract before this broke.
26:24Sunny found me in the hole, twisting her hands.
26:26He basically grew up on that ring.
26:29He would never.
26:30Eva, is there anything?
26:32I sat down.
26:33I made myself think.
26:34My mother had treated a sports official years ago.
26:37A serious lung condition before I was born.
26:39He'd come to thank my father afterward.
26:41I'd overheard the conversation.
26:43He was still with the collegiate athletics board.
26:46I remembered his name.
26:47I spent the next hour finding his office number.
26:49He was harder to reach than I expected.
26:51Three calls.
26:52Two messages.
26:53The fourth time, he picked up.
26:55I know this is unusual.
26:56I'm Eva Calloway.
26:58Dr. White treated my mother years ago, before I was born.
27:01I know you remember him.
27:03I remember.
27:04My husband is being investigated.
27:06I believe the evidence was planted.
27:08I'm not asking you to interfere.
27:10I'm asking for the name of whoever submitted the report.
27:12And ten minutes with whoever is reviewing it.
27:16Come to my office tomorrow.
27:17Eight in the morning.
27:18I was there at 7.45.
27:20It took two hours.
27:21He walked me through the documentation.
27:23I asked questions, took notes, and found three inconsistencies in the timeline that didn't line up with the away game
27:29schedule.
27:30When I came out, Ryder was standing against the wall outside the building.
27:33He looked at me with an expression I couldn't read.
27:36What are you doing here?
27:37I heard where you'd gone.
27:38He pushed off the wall.
27:39Eva, you don't have to do this.
27:41I know.
27:41I put my notes in my bag.
27:43I wanted to.
27:44He took one step toward me, then stopped.
27:46His voice was rough.
27:47Why?
27:47I looked at him straight.
27:49Because you're not guilty.
27:51Someone is trying to take you apart for it.
27:53He held my gaze for a long time.
27:55That's it?
27:55You saved my mother's life.
27:57And now this.
27:57She's my family too.
27:58I paused.
27:59Whether you dissolve the contract or not, that part doesn't change.
28:03Something shifted in his face.
28:05He crossed the remaining space between us and his arms came around me.
28:08Careful, like he wasn't sure I'd allow it.
28:11I didn't move away.
28:12He held on.
28:13I could feel his breath unsteady against my hair.
28:15I know what you must think of me.
28:17Pushing you out.
28:18Telling you to leave.
28:18Eva, I-
28:19I know.
28:20I pressed my palm against his chest.
28:22His heart was going too fast.
28:23I know why you did it.
28:25We stood there on the pavement outside the athletics board building in the cold morning air.
28:29A long moment of nothing needed.
28:31On the way back, I told him about the timeline gaps.
28:34He listened without interrupting.
28:36When I finished, he was quiet for a moment.
28:38Then-
28:39The report was filed by someone on the Westfield side.
28:42A coach who lost his position after the game.
28:44He blamed me.
28:46Then we find the proof.
28:47We?
28:47I looked at him.
28:48We.
28:49The corner of his mouth moved.
28:51Small.
28:51Barely there.
28:52It was the first real smile I'd ever seen on him.
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