Chapter 7
DECLAN
I couldn’t sleep much after the game last night.
And instead of calling Melissa, or going to a bar, I went straight to the gym.
Luckily we have our own set-up at home for times like this.
We always work out with the team, but sometimes having your own space at home helps for times like this.
Times where I let the team down, where I’m waiting for the cloud of doom hovering above my head to erupt and soak the life out of me.
It’s been building for a while now and it’s close to breaking.
Stepping into our communal living space, I’m met with Lindgren behind the kitchen counter tossing a ready made bag of smoothie ingredients into the blender. His light hair is messy, and he’s geared to head to the gym for his own workout.
“Can I make you one too?” he asks, cracking an egg into the mixture.
Settling at the counter, I roll my shoulders, relishing in the relief in my muscles. Now they’re aching for a totally different reason than last night.
“Sure, thanks.” I watch as he grabs another pre-made bag from the fridge and tosses it into the blender with his own.
“Did you get some sleep?” he asks, turning on the blender for a few seconds before switching it off again.
“Do I look well rested to you?” I deadpan, reaching over and switching on the blender again. “No lumps, Barney. Everything is lumpy enough.”
He chuckles. “I’m sure you’ll get the verdict today. Then you can deal and move on,” he says, talking loud enough for me to hear him over the noise of the blades chopping our fruit into mush.
I wait until he’s done and turn off the machine before I respond.
“They will definitely give the verdict today,” I say with a sigh. “These types of things don’t take too long. But I’m pretty sure the odds won’t be in my favor here.”
“You never know,” Lindgren says, trying to be helpful as he cracks in another egg.
I know.
Last night was bad.
I should’ve had more control over the situation and because I didn’t, another player got hurt.
Not only do I have to wait to hear what will happen to me, but also how I impacted another player’s career.
I’ll have to face the consequences of my actions…
the consequences set by the NHL and the ones that will undoubtedly haunt me until my dying day.
Last night I got kicked off the ice, but today, I’m sure the rest of it will follow.
My phone rings on the counter next to us. Lindgren’s eyes widen and for a moment I want to smack him over the head. It’s like he’s the one waiting on dreadful news, not me.
Relief fills my gut as Lucas’s name pops up on screen. Relief, quickly followed by dread. Because it means I still have to wait for the verdict.
“Lucky Luke, what’s up?” I ask, watching as Lindgren pours the protein shake into two glasses, making a mess on the counter in the process.
“Listen, we have that thing tonight right?” he says, his voice serious. “That charity, season starter dinner thing.”
Getting up, I grab a dishtowel from the sink and toss it at Lindgren.
“I forgot about that,” I say with a grimace. “I haven’t even told Melissa yet.”
At the start of every season, Harry organizes an event with the big shots surrounding the team. He wants us to play nice with all the money, network a bit and maybe score a sponsorship or something while keeping the endorses of the team happy at the same time.
Reaching around Lindgren, I grab my shake and take a sip.
“That’s good, because I think you should take someone else,” Lucas says.
“Come again?” I say, almost choking on the shake.
“Hannah knows someone who might be perfect for you.” Lucas’s voice is filled with caution.
There are no words forming in my head. This is one of those things that I know would be the right thing to do, to plan pro-actively.
Coach already warned me that our GM will be on my case, and after last night, I’m sure Harry will be the one to call me later today.
If I accept this, then I’d have a plan to present to Harry.
But if not…
“Come on, Dec. Just try.” There’s a hint of pleading in his voice.
But I know Lucas, he’ll lay it all out and leave the final decision to me.
“It can’t hurt to try and fix the damage.
I’m sure that hit will have some sort of fine at the very least. Let’s just try to work on fixing things.
We need you out there, you’re a part of this team. You want to fix this right?”
I take a deep breath, imagining for a second what it would be like to never wear my Rangers jersey again. I’d still play hockey, but for a different organization.
But there’s no denying this team is different and that I’ve never felt more at home with any other team.
“I do,” I say with a sigh.
“Then it’s easy. You do what needs to be done,” Lucas says like it’s the easiest thing in the world. “Think about it and let me know.”
“I’ll think about it.”
It goes against everything inside of me to take out a woman and actually date her. So if I do this tonight, I have no idea what to expect, no idea how to act.
I don’t date. I have agreements. That way no one is left wondering what to do.
I end the call only to find a text message from my brother…my agent.
They’re about to release the video on the hit. It’s bad, brother. You’re out for eight games…and you’ll have to forfeit some of your salary. $45,762.
For now, stay off social media. I’m working with the team’s PR manager to get a statement together that will keep them happy for now.
But there will be a press conference right?
Definitely. But I’ll try to give you as much time as I can to prepare.
Thanks, brother. I appreciate it.
This is what I do, Declan. As for the rest…Maddie is coming into town this weekend. We’re meeting for lunch or dinner. No excuses for meeting up, this is happening.
Part of me is relieved to know they’ll be in town and that I’ll get to see them. I’ve missed spending time with them, especially Maddie. Since she’s gone off to take Los Angeles by storm, I haven’t really seen her. I don’t even have time to respond when Harry’s face lights up my screen.
“You’re popular this morning,” Lindgren says, taking a big gulp of his shake. I haven’t even really touched mine yet, and right now I’m not sure if I should given the way my stomach is churning.
“Bite me.” I take a deep breath and swipe to answer.
“I’m guessing your agent already clued you in,” Harry says instead of his usual semi-friendly greeting. His voice is firm and I can practically hear his scowl over the phone.
“Good morning to you too, Harry,” I say, knowing there’s no amount of charm that will make this phone call go down in a friendly manner.
“Listen kid, now is not the time.” His impatience seeps through the phone. “This is not the way I want to start my season. We bought out your contract from the Bruins to stabilize our defense, to be an asset—”
“I am an asset,” I interject. “One bad hit doesn’t change that.”
“You’re suspended, Murphy! You can’t travel, you can’t practice, not to mention the $45000 you basically lit on fire!”
I sigh, rubbing my temples where a sudden headache is blooming. The question isn’t whether or not the situation is bad, it’s how bad is it? Will Harry still give me a chance to make this right, to prove that I can be what this team needs?
“I know, Harry. That part wasn’t intentional.”
“Right now, I don’t care what your intentions were. You’re forcing me to make decisions I don’t want to have to make, Murphy. I know what you bring to the team, but right now, the damages outweigh the value. That means I have to start planning for alternatives.”
A chill runs down my spine, my grip on the phone tightening.
“What kind of alternatives, Harry?” I ask. “Be straight with me here.”
He sighs. “It’s still in the works and when we reach final decisions, you’ll be brought into a meeting. But for now, you should know that we’re looking to bring in a PTO.”
A professional try-out.
“For my position?” I ask, straightening in my seat. “Who is it?”
“Keep this up and you’ll find out soon enough.”
I sigh, squeezing my eyes shut. How can this be happening?
“So, what now?” I ask, avoiding Lindgren’s stare from across the room. “Do you still need me to show up tonight?”
“Of course you show up,” Harry barks. “If you can’t represent the team on the ice, you’ll do it on every other front.
If you can’t perform on the ice, you’re going to perform for the sponsors, the donors, the media and every one else I throw your way.
You’re still a part of this team and you need to start acting like it. ”
He’s right, I’m not out yet. Although the thought of a PTO coming…it’s not looking good.
“What should I tell the media?” I ask. “Or do I issue a statement before tonight’s event?”
“You don’t issue anything,” Harry says. “Jenn will work on your public statement with your agent. She’ll also be your handler tonight. You won’t be coming up with anything on your own here, Murphy. For now, you smile, you behave, and you act like all of this is being cleaned up.”
“Do I get a say in any of this?” I ask, already knowing the answer, but my ego prods me to ask anyway.
“No,” he says. “Don’t screw this up, Murphy.”
“Harry,” I stop him before he ends the call. The image of Brodin’s head whipping back as I elbowed him in the face, flashing in my mind. He hit the ice pretty hard, and he stayed down. No matter the check he gave on Lindgren, that was a step too far. “What’s going on with Brodin?”
There’s a second of silence. Then two and three.
“So far he’s being checked for concussion. Out until further notice,” Harry says, his voice level. “Listen, it’s done. All you can do now is damage control. Tonight, you show up and you do and say the right things to the right people.”
I nod along even though he can’t see me.
The line goes dead and I’m left staring at the phone.
“What did he say?” Lindgren asks, handing me the shake that’s now completely useless to me. “Is it bad?”