30. Icing on the Cake

Chapter Thirty

ICING ON THE CAKE

~~Camden~~

I stare at Inez’s text message. It’s only two words, but it says everything.

Inez: Brian knows .

That storm I’ve felt brewing has finally arrived. I won’t lose Inez. I can’t. There has to be a way to salvage us.

I try to call her. Her phone goes straight to voicemail. I text multiple times, and no response. Panicking, I hurry to her office. She’s not there. I ask the receptionist.

“She’s gone home for the day. She’s not feeling well.”

“Thanks.” I have every intention of heading for her apartment when Brian walks down the hallway. “Brian, I need a word with you.” It’s damage control time.

“In my office, Hale.”

I follow him like a puppy who knows he’s going to be punished for being naughty and sit down. He sits across from me. He’s not giving me any clues as to how he feels about all this.

“I’m sorry. It shouldn’t have happened, and we tried, Brian, we really tried to stay away from each other, but we couldn’t.”

He nods tersely. “You both knew better.”

“We did.”

“You endangered this team. If this became a public scandal, you’d have endangered our playoff chances if not obliterated them. How long did you think you two could carry on and no one would notice?”

“We had a deadline of this summer. Then we were going to figure it out. I’m truly remorseful, yet I don’t regret what I did. I love Inez, and she loves me. Sometimes there are forces at play in our lives that are bigger than hockey. I’m not under contract for next year, so I thought the problem might fix itself.”

He regards me with interest as if examining the results of a science experiment. “The team was about to offer you a three-year contract.”

Now I’m flabbergasted. At a loss for words. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You’ve played beyond expectations. You deserved it.”

His using past tense isn’t lost on me. “Under the circumstances, I’m guessing that deal is off.”

“Not necessarily, since Inez is insisting on resigning.”

“I can’t let her do that.”

“One of you has to go. The legal implications?—”

“I fully understand the legal implications. This is Inez’s dream. I’ve lived my dream of playing pro hockey. Now she gets to live hers. Besides, my career has a shelf life. Hers doesn’t.”

“You’d give up the game when you’re playing your best hockey right now?” Brian shakes his head in astonishment. I rack my brain to recall if he’s married, and I don’t think he is. Maybe he thinks putting love over career is foolhardy, but I don’t care. It doesn’t matter what he thinks. Only Inez matters.

“My mind is made up. I’ll retire at the end of the season. Since she won’t be negotiating contracts for me or anything else related to my career for that matter, there’s no real conflict of interest or legal issues with us dating.”

“Are you fucking dead serious?” Brian is beyond shocked.

“Yeah, yeah, I am.” I didn’t think I knew what I’d do when the moment finally arose, but maybe I’ve known all along. I want Inez more than I want hockey.

“What’re you going to do?”

“I’ll find something.” I shrug. I’m still a little shell-shocked in the decision I’ve made, and I can’t bring myself to think about life after hockey. I don’t regret what I’ve done, but I am nervous about my future.

Brian nods, but I can tell he’s thinking hard, which could be a good thing or a really bad thing. What if they put me on waivers? Or cut me due to inappropriate behavior?

“Before we make any final decisions, Stan wants to meet with the involved parties.” He looks down at his watch. “In one hour. In the main conference room.”

“Does Inez know? Because I think her phone’s turned off.”

“No, but I’m sure you’ll tell her.”

“I will.”

Brian dismisses me, and I race to Inez’s apartment. I pound on the door, but she won’t answer.

“Inez, let me in. I know you’re in there. Open this door.” I pause to smile at the woman in the apartment across from Inez’s who’s opened her door to watch me with suspicion.

“Inez, please, open this door.” I’m begging now and finally the door opens. Inez ushers me inside. She looks like shit. Her eyes are red from crying. There are stray hairs sticking out of her bun and falling across her forehead.

I follow her to the living room, where she sits on the couch. The only sound she makes is sniffling and an occasional blowing of her nose.

“Inez, I love you, and I can’t ask you to give up your job for me.”

“It’s done.” She cuddles next to me and buries her face in my shoulder. I wrap an arm around her and hold her close. As long as I have her by my side, I can face anything life throws are me.

“Not according to Brian. We have a meeting in a half hour with him and Mr. B.”

That gets her attention. “Why?”

“I’m not really sure.” I don’t know what we have to talk about. “Maybe more ass-chewing.” I sigh deeply. I’d been dreading this day, and it’s finally arrived.

“I guess we deserve it.” She giggles, which eases some of the tension I’m feeling.

“I’m not going to let you quit. I’m retiring from hockey.”

She sits up straight and pins me with her hardest Inez glare. “No, you will not give up hockey for me.”

“It’s time.”

“It’s not time. You’re about to sign a three-year contract.”

I shrug and speak from the heart. “That three-year contract isn’t worth losing you or having you resent me because you gave up on your dream.”

“I would never resent you.”

“You will. In time. This is for the best. Listen, I’m ready. We’ll make the playoffs and try to go deep. I’ll enjoy this last season, but not as much as I’ll enjoy looking forward to the rest of my life with you.” I cradle her face in my hands and manage a smile.

“I love you, Cam.” She brushes her lips against mine. Just a brief kiss but a powerful unspoken message that we were in this together for the long haul.

“Of course you do, baby.”

She laughs and slaps my arm playfully. “You’re really okay with this?”

“I am.”

“What will you do?”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“We’d better get to that meeting.”

A half hour later, we’re sitting at a conference table with Mr. Barlowe, Brian, and Aunt Matilda, who seems very pleased with herself. I get the distinct impression she’s gotten her way.

We both sit down, and I hold Inez’s hand. There’s no reason to hide it now.

“Inez, I’m disappointed in you,” Mr. Barlowe starts off the conversation.

Inez ducks her head in shame and murmurs, “I’m so sorry.”

“I placed my trust in you. I promoted you to this position because I believed in you. And this is how you repay me?” Mr. Barlowe is obviously upset, and tears slide down Inez’s face. She brushes them away and blinks hard.

“Is that all, Stan?” Aunt Matilda taps one long purple fingernail on the table.

Mr. Barlowe heaves a sigh. “No, that’s not all. Inez, I forgive what you’ve done. I know you as well as I know my daughters, and you’d never purposely jeopardize this team.”

“But I did. Sort of. I knew possible ramifications, but I did it anyway.”

Mr. Barlowe attempts to speak, but Aunt Matilda interrupts him. “What Stan is trying to say and screwing it up is that we don’t want to lose you, Inez. You did mess up, but everyone makes mistakes, and I’m certain you’ll never do anything like this again.”

“I’m not giving up Camden, which is why I’m resigning.”

“No,” I spoke up. “I’m retiring at the end of the season.” She’s still trying to save my career, and I won’t let her. Mr. Barlowe, Brian, and Aunt Matilda exchange glances. This time, Brian takes the floor.

“We might have a solution that’ll allow the Icehawks to keep both of you.”

Inez squeezes my hand, and I squeeze back. She’s hopeful, but I can’t imagine how we can both stay with the team.

“Inez and I love each other. Whatever you’ve concocted, we’re not ending our relationship.”

“That’s right,” Inez agrees with me. She sits up straighter and squares her shoulders in a display of confidence I’m guessing she doesn’t really feel.

“Ah, young love. Those were the days.” Aunt Matilda sighs and smiles. I consider pointing out that we’re not that young, but in comparison to her, I guess we are.

“Camden, we have a proposal for you.” Brian’s full attention is on me.

“A proposal?” My mind races through scenarios such as quit now, quit at the end of the season, or don’t quit but Inez has to. The last one is out of the question.

“I’ve taken the liberty of speaking with Coach, and he agrees. Randy has expressed interest in retiring at the end of the season. He wants to live closer to his grandchildren in Arizona. We think you’d be a great replacement if you decide to hang up your skates.”

I don’t know what to say. Inez lets out a squeal of delight. I’m shell-shocked, and I’m having trouble processing what Brian has just said. “You want me to coach next season?”

“Yes. Are you interested?” Brian waits patiently. Aunt Matilda grins, and I get the distinct impression she’s meddled and is probably partially responsible for their offer.

“There’re probably more qualified guys out there.”

“Probably, but we want you. You’ve been a loyal member of this team. When we partner you with our rookies, you’re very good at pinpointing the little things they need to improve their game.”

“But I’m not the most talented player myself.” I’m hedging because I don’t want to be a charity case.

“Camden, you’re exactly the type of player who makes a great coach. You’ve had to work for everything you’ve gotten, and you can explain how things need to be done better than someone with God-given talent who just does it and doesn’t know the mechanics behind the game.”

I could be insulted, but I’m not. I completely understand what he’s saying. The best teachers aren’t the ones with talent, but the ones who know what needs to be done. For some players, the game comes naturally, and they have no idea how to teach someone else.

I glance at Inez, and she’s grinning. She nods in answer to my silent question. A slow smile spreads across my face. “In that case, I would be honored to be an assistant coach for the Icehawks.” I guess I can have my cake and eat it too.

“Good,” says Brian.

Mr. Barlowe stands and shakes my hand. “Congratulations, Camden. You deserve it. Now let’s get the playoff spot nailed down and go as deep as possible.”

“How about we don’t just go deep, let’s win the Cup.” Aunt Matilda gives me a hug, and the entire mood in the room lightens.

“I think we’re done here then.” Mr. Barlowe starts for the door.

“Mr. B, Brian, Aunt Matilda, once again, I’m very sorry. I promise I’ll never let you down again.”

“We know you won’t. Let’s move on and leave the past in the past.” On that note, they file out of the room until only Inez and I are left.

“No more sneaking around.” She throws her arms around me, and I lift her up to whirl her around until we’re both dizzy and laughing.

“Thank God.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“I’m more than okay. Coaching has been a dream of mine, and I’m ecstatic for this opportunity.”

“But you won’t be playing yourself.” She’s dead serious now, and I give her another quick hug before pulling back to stare into her eyes.

“Inez, I won’t lie. I’ll miss playing, but I won’t miss the ice baths and the injuries, the constant striving to keep up with the younger guys, or the constant pressure to perform or be gone. Besides, I have you, and that’s all I’ll ever need. This coaching job is icing on the cake.”

“And you’re all I need, but I won’t lie, I’m thrilled to be keeping this job.”

“You deserve it, and I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you.”

We kiss again, but this time, it’s long and deep and full of the promise of tomorrow.

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