Chapter 36
Rome
The only thing worse than being called into your coach’s office after a scuffle in the locker room is being called into the team owner’s office.
Marty was kind enough to let me crash at his place when we got back from Vegas and I got the message that Ms. Barrowman wanted to see me—instead of Coach Vanek—at nine o’clock sharp. I know what it’s about but I don’t know what I’m going to say.
If Bodi’s there, it will be that much more complicated.
That’s usually how it’s handled when two guys on the team come to blows. The GM or someone else high up gets involved, sits us down to get both sides of the story, and then we’re usually given a choice. Either to shake hands and move past it or decide which one of us is being traded.
In this case, it has to be me.
There’s no way I’m coming between brother and sister.
I’ve always known if Bodi made her choose I would bow out.
That’s probably why I initially tried to keep my feelings in check.
She had a lot more faith that he would come around than I did, and it turns out my gut didn’t let me down. Unfortunately.
What guy would want his sister to date someone with a history like mine?
I don’t like it but I understand his perspective.
I walk through the mostly quiet arena and take the elevator up to the executive offices floor.
The only other time I’ve been up here was when I first got to town and they gave me a tour.
I stopped in to talk to Ms. Barrowman and she welcomed me to L.A.
After that, there was never any reason to come up here.
I saw Bodi’s SUV in the parking lot so I know he’s already here, probably talking shit about me, but that’s okay.
He’s young, and even though he’s being a dick right now, it’s because he loves his sister.
They’ve been through a lot, and this is his chance to be in the big leagues.
I don’t want to take that from him, and I definitely don’t want to take his sister from him.
Our GM, Dom Gianni, is a big guy—six five and at least two twenty-five, and I get the feeling he’s here more because of his size than his title. Ms. Barrowman has no issue handling us guys but she certainly couldn’t pull us apart if Bodi and I got into it again.
“Good morning.” Dom looks serious.
“Morning.”
“I understand Bodi started the altercation last night, and you did your best to de-escalate, but we won’t tolerate that shit in this office.”
“No, sir. Of course not.”
He nods and we walk into her large office. There’s a small sitting area off to the side, with a couch and four chairs. Ms. Barrowman is on the couch, drinking coffee, and Bodi’s in a chair, his posture rigid.
“Good morning, Mr. Castellano.” Ms. Barrowman nods at me. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” I sit in the chair across from Bodi and Dom sits next to me.
“You know why you’re here,” she says, looking from me to Bodi.
“Now I want to know… what the fuck was last night all about? We win two huge playoff games in Vegas and you decide to bring something personal into the motherfucking locker room?” Her voice is low but there’s no doubt she’s pissed.
“I’ve already heard all the gossip—now I want the truth. ”
“He crossed a line,” Bodi growls without hesitation. “My sister—he screwed my sister! She’s just a kid!”
Ms. Barrowman arches a brow, her expression mostly neutral. “And how old is said… kid?”
Bodi’s neck turns red. “Twenty-two but?—”
“Is she in some way mentally or physically handicapped? Unable to make decisions for herself?”
“Well, no, but?—”
“Then it’s moot. She’s a legal adult who made a decision to have a relationship with Mr. Castellano.” She turns to me. “And said relationship was consensual?”
“Of course it was.” That’s one game I’m not going to play. I might throw myself on my sword to protect the siblings’ relationship, but I won’t ever cop to mistreating or somehow forcing a woman to do something she didn’t want to do.
“This isn’t high school, Mr. Michener,” she turns to Bodi. “Do you know why you’re here this season, Bodi?”
He hesitates.
“You’re here because I know your story. Do you understand that? I know about your parents. How you gave up college and your chance to grow as a player so you could play in the minors and start getting a paycheck. So you could finish raising your sister.”
He looks confused. “What does that have to do with?—”
“Everything!” she snaps. “Do you think you’re the top player in the league?
Or even the top player on this team? I can assure you, you’re not.
But you were a godsend last year during the playoffs and after hearing your story, I felt you were owed a chance to earn your place on an NHL team.
To get something back for that incredible sacrifice you made for your family.
” She pauses. “Even though your performance this season has been mediocre.”
I see a vein throbbing in Bodi’s neck and even though this is basically his own fault, I feel for him.
More than anything, I wish it hadn’t come to this. Deep down, I knew his performance—or lack thereof—might come up. I’m not a superstar but as a defenseman, my numbers have been solid since I arrived.
Before Bodi can respond she turns to me, her gaze more thoughtful this time.
“I brought you here because it was apparent you were struggling. You don’t struggle on the ice but you don’t seem to do yourself any favors anywhere else.
Coaches don’t know what to do with you, teammates don’t particularly like you, and your personal life tends to be tabloid material.
But you’re effective at the one thing we needed—grit.
A chirpy son of a bitch who makes his opponents hesitate, second-guess themselves.
And just like with Bodi, I wanted to give you a chance. ”
She pauses, drumming her fingers on the table.
“You see, what we have here in L.A. is special. I took over during a tumultuous time, when no one believed a woman with no hockey experience could run the team. And not only did I run it, I’m doing it on my own terms. That means I use a combination of business acumen, fiscal responsibility, and something other owners probably don’t—heart.
My gut. Along with a little female intuition.
I felt like the two of you—separately, and for very different reasons—would be solid additions to the family we’ve built here.
Instead, it’s the playoffs and you two get in a fist fight in the opposing team’s locker room.
I don’t like it, and I won’t put up with it. ”
Bodi opens his mouth but she holds up a finger, effectively cutting him off.
“Obviously, we’re going to have to make some serious decisions once we get to the off-season, but for now, I need to know—can you play together without coming to blows?
Without putting your personal bullshit before the game?
Can you be on the ice together and actually have each other’s backs?
Because if you can’t, I will bench one or both of you.
There are twenty guys on the Rebels who would kill to take your spots. ”
“It’s not a problem for me, Ms. Barrowman,” I say quietly.
“Yeah, I’m good.” Bodi says the words but his expression and body language say the opposite.
And our boss doesn’t miss it.
“The obstinance practically pouring out of you doesn’t fill me with hope, Bodi,” she says dryly.
“And frankly, you’ve had five goals and twelve assists all season.
Rome didn’t get here until January, was out for seven weeks, and has four goals and eleven assists.
Which one of you do you think I’m going to send down to the minors if you can’t fix your attitude? ”
Oh, fuck.
This isn’t what I wanted.
I’m crazy about Billie but this is going sideways, and I’m not going to be the guy who got her brother sent back down to the minors.
“Naw, you don’t have to do that,” I interject, trying to sound casual. “I hate living in L.A., so if you’re gonna trade someone, it should be me. I’ve only got one more season in me anyway.”
I don’t know who looks more surprised—Bodi or Ms. Barrowman.
She narrows her gaze at me for a moment but doesn’t say anything. Bodi is strangely quiet as well.
“We’re not talking about the off-season yet,” she says after a moment.
“All I care about is winning this series. Once it’s over, we’re going to have some hard conversations, but I want to be very clear—if there is another altercation between you, I won’t hesitate to bench whoever starts it.
” She looks to Bodi. “And every single account I have says it was all you.”
He looks away, visibly uncomfortable.
“I’m happy to bench your ass, so don’t test me.” She snaps her gaze to me. “And you—whatever it is with you and the sister, put it on hold until after the season. Am I clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She gives us a few more warnings and then dismisses us. I make a beeline for the stairs, needing to burn off some energy. I hear Bodi call my name, but I don’t turn back and I don’t stop. I can’t.
My life has just been turned upside down—again—and it’s all his fault. I’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for him, but I don’t have it in me to look at him.
Because now I’m going to have to face Billie and tell her what I’ve done.