Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
DELANEY
“Okay. See here how this defender always drops back too far when they enter the zone? We can capitalize on that,” I tell Nadia.
“Yes. We’ll work on attacking drills today in practice.”
“Good. Minneapolis is going to be a hard team to beat.”
“We’ve got this, Delaney,” Nadia says.
“Excuse me, Ms. Charles?”
I glance up to see the general manager’s assistant standing in the doorway of my office.
“Yes? How can I help you?”
“Mr. Tremblay would like to see you in his office.”
“Oh. Okay. Is everything alright?”
Nerves burst in my gut. Why does the GM want to see me?
“I was told to come and get you.”
I pass the tablet to Nadia. “If I’m not back, go ahead and get practice started.”
“Sounds good.” She gives me a reassuring smile, but it doesn’t do much to reassure me.
As I follow the assistant toward the executive offices, dread slides down my throat. I have been in the GM’s office once. When I signed the paperwork to officially accept the position of head coach of the Rosebuds.
He’ll randomly drop by practice, and I’ll see him after the games, but never in such a formal manner.
Except…oh God. Is this about Lydia?
Fuck.
Fuck.
What else could they be calling me in for?
Stay calm, Delaney. You don’t know what this is about. No sense in borrowing trouble.
Maybe there’s a new player they traded for? Yes. That must be it.
I wish the woman would hurry up. I can’t take it. Each step feels like I’m moving backward. I just want to get this meeting over with. Rip the Band-Aid off and all.
She waves me toward Mr. Tremblay’s office as we walk into the executive suite.
“He’s expecting you. Go on in.”
“Thank you.” I try to manage a smile, but it comes out as more of a grimace.
Great. I don’t think this is going to go well. I knock on the door, and his voice beckons me in.
Not only is the GM in here, but the owner as well.
“Hi. Am I interrupting?”
“Delaney. We needed to speak with you. Please, take a seat so we can discuss a few things with you.”
I take the seat across from him. Neither one of them looks pleased.
“What can I help you with?” I ask.
“Delaney, it’s come to our attention that you’ve broken the no fraternization policy with one of your players.”
“Okay.” I clear my throat.
How in the world did they find out?
I keep my face calm. No sense in showing all of my emotions and giving myself away.
“What do you have to say for yourself?”
“We were called by one of the team reporters asking for a comment on your relationship.”
“With whom?” I ask.
The two of them exchange a look.
“We will have photographic evidence within the next forty-eight hours,” Mr. Allen says.
“So you don’t have anything?” I ask, trying to clarify what I’m hearing.
“We will. Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Mr. Tremblay asks.
“I would like to see this evidence before I say anything.”
I don’t want to incriminate myself. What if it’s a photo with another player that was taken out of context?
Lydia and I are two consenting adults in a relationship even if it’s violating the team’s policy.
We both knew we were breaking the rules, but we didn’t care because we’re in love.
But if these photos show anything with Lydia? We’re screwed.
Well, I’m screwed.
Mr. Tremblay taps on his phone. “We take all of these allegations very seriously. Until we have a chance to investigate more thoroughly, you will be placed on leave. You are expected to come into the office Friday morning at eight where we will have a further discussion on this.”
“I can assure you, this is all a big misunderstanding,” I tell them, hoping against hope that it is.
“We hope so. But until then, we ask that you leave the premises. Your assistant coaches will be informed shortly that they will be taking over the team until further notice.”
“Right.”
“That’s all.”
I take the dismissal for what it is and scurry out of the office. How did we get ourselves into this situation?
I’m a rule follower. I never break the rules.
But when Lydia looked at me, I was putty in her hands.
She was always the one that got away. When our lips touched, I couldn’t think of anything else but her.
Of wanting to be with her. Of wanting to spend all my time with her.
And now it’s possible there are photos of us out in the world.
This is not what I needed today.
Bile rises in my throat as I hurry back to my office to grab my bag and keys. At this point, practice will have already started.
Will Lydia be out there wondering where I am? After an emotionally charged night at the rink, we spent the night together before leaving separately for practice.
There’s no way someone saw us together last night. Only the team has access to the rink after hours.
Fuck. I hate this. I really do.
Everything I’ve ever wanted was in reach.
Now? It’s all going to blow up in my face.