5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Koa
Drooping my head in shame doesn’t hide the truth from my friends.
Andrew watches the video once more, just to be sure the jerk in it accusing his sweet bakery owner friend of setting him up really is me and not some impersonator who lost his mind.
His grumble earns his dog’s attention, who perks his ears and glares at me merely because his owner is annoyed.
Lottie’s boxer snores beside him, unaware there is a doofus in her presence.
“Did Katie get settled in at Spencer’s?” I ask.
“Don’t change the subject.” Andrew drops his phone on the coffee table and Lottie slips from the room to take care of the twins.
My pleading gaze isn’t enough for her to stick around and ease the impact of her husband’s stinging correction. This is worse than when he played with the Sharks and openly pointed out the days that I sucked.
“This is all over. I’ve had people I haven’t spoken to in years send me clips, asking if I know you. What happened to laying low and letting your lawyer handle things?”
I lean back deeper in the sofa, half of me wishing I could disappear while the other half wishes I’d never left his house in the first place.
“That was the plan, yes, but things got out of control.”
“Out of control? You yelled at one of the nicest women in the city, brought negative attention to her during an already difficult time, and made a fool of yourself on a national level.”
“Rub it in good, why don’t you?” I shift forward and ruffle my hair, more confused than ever about what to do. “Is Coach—”
“Yes, Coach is mad. He wasn’t until this incident. He wants to meet with you tomorrow morning, so I’d highly recommend making amends with Evalina before then. Maybe things will die down if you apologize and make a statement.”
Groaning hardly encompasses my frustration. “Since when did my life become public business? Can’t a man have a bad day without having to apologize to the entire world about it?”
“You lost that privilege when you went pro. That’s the life, Koa, and if you like your life, then you gotta take the hits and the attention along with the good parts.
” Andrew eases onto the sofa across from me and relaxes a little.
He’s quiet, staring at the coffee table as if it might spit out the solution to my problem.
One I haven’t considered, up to and including running to Alaska and hiding out in an igloo until everyone in Georgia forgets about my family name.
“I get it. I really do, but you have to be cooler-headed to get through this. Even if Evalina had called the reporters, your reaction was exactly what they wanted. Don’t give them the thing they crave.
Be calm and collected, reasonable even. If you’re normal and boring enough, they’ll find something more fun to do.
Right now, you’re giving them the chase of a lifetime. ”
I’m reminded that I still haven’t heard from Mom, though I’ve called her and left messages, desperate for more information than what my own lawyer could scrape up.
Frustrated as I am with the reporters, I’m even more confused by our parents’ behavior.
Katie and I moved to Georgia together—me for baseball and her for college—and we loved it so much we never went back home to New York.
Maybe it’s better that way. We’re farther from the drama down here, though it’s bad enough as it is.
Still, not even a follow-up phone call to check on us?
Surely, Mom knows what this must be doing to her daughter without any sort of update.
“I should get to Spencer’s and check on Katie. What time am I supposed to meet Coach in the morning?” Standing gets the dogs’ attention and they both leap to their feet and stretch. Man, to be a dog with zero worries or cares.
“Ten, and you better go in with a contrite attitude and a willing spirit, or he’ll bench you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a star hitter. It matters more that the team keeps a clean image.”
Andrew walks to the front door with me and pauses.
“I should mention, too, that Quade Dawson will be there.”
My heart leaps into my throat. “The team owner is coming to the meeting? Andrew, I’m cooked.”
“He was in town anyway, meeting with the Arctic’s coach and manager. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. He was probably planning to check in on the Sharks too.”
Our billionaire owner and his two brothers, also known as Dawson International, not only own the Sharks and the local hockey team, the Arctic Foxes, but several other sports teams along the east coast. With them looking to expand their empire, they can’t have a tarnished guy like me making headlines and ruining their plans.
“Yeah, I don’t know. Andrew, what if—”
He settles a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.
“Koa, you’re a golden player. The Sharks need you, and Dawson knows that.
At worst, he’s going to give you orders to lay low and disappear for a while.
” He chuckles and drops his hand. “It’s not like he hasn’t had his fair share of public incidents. I think he’ll understand.”
I don’t ask what incidents he’s referring to, mostly because I’m not sure I want to know.
The Dawson brothers are a bit of an enigma, and it’s probably for the best. All I know is, they’re Christians who infuse high standards of morality and charity into their teams. I’ve seen more than one player cut for questionable behavior, and for as long as I’ve been a Shark, I haven’t heard a single rumor about anything they have ever done that danced on that line of morality.
“Go to Spencer’s, get some sleep. Meet with Coach and Mr. Dawson in the morning, tell them your plan to make amends with Evalina, listen to what they say, and agree like a good soldier. You’ll get through this.”
I nod and head to my borrowed car, praying Andew is right. If he’s not, I’m not sure how I’ll even pay my mortgage, let alone ensure my sister has a place to live and her horse back. I won’t even be able to take care of the horse!
Inside the car, I take a long, deep breath to refocus. There’s nothing more I can do but pray.
“Good morning, Koa. Have a seat, and we’ll get right down to it.” Coach motions for me to sit at the conference table in the Sharks’ media room. It’s where journalists get the scoop, interview players, and spend their time seeking the best stories.
Well, have I got a doozy for them.
Quade Dawson sits at the head of the table reviewing a portfolio, probably my record, and nods a few times. Hopefully, my past behavior will bode well for his decision making today.
I try to decipher the general mood by Coach’s expressions, but he’s stoic as ever and holds a bit of an icy exterior in meetings.
Generally, he’s impossible to read on a good day, let alone under such circumstances.
He takes the seat across from me, flanking Mr. Dawson, who looks up from the portfolio and offers me his hand to shake.
Taking it feels a lot like sealing my fate, but I manage to give it a hearty shake anyway.
“First, Mr. Keaton, I want to extend my sincerest sympathies for what you and your sister must be going through. I understand what it means to come from a wealthy family, and more so what it’s like when our parents allegedly misuse the law for their benefit.”
Allegedly sounds a lot like he’s already decided they’re guilty, just like every news outlet and social media keyboard warrior in the whole country and then some.
“Nevertheless, we have to look at the team’s image and how we can maintain it positively. I’ve looked over your portfolio, and I have no complaints about your performance or behavior these past years that you’ve been with the Sharks.”
He pauses, so I push out a throaty, “Thank you, sir.”
“I’d like to know if there is any way we can support you through this?” he asks.
I’m not expecting this question, let alone any sort of sympathy. He’s a kind man, godly, but he’s also been known to cut people from a team so fast their heads spin. Coach nudges my shin beneath the table, pushing me to respond.
“Uh…I’m not sure what you mean, exactly,” I admit.
“Your sister, does she need protection? I know from experience, these things can get messy. I’m willing to send someone to keep watch over her while you’re away from…where are you staying?” His brow furrows and he checks his paperwork again. “They seized your home, yes?”
“They did, but we’re staying with Spencer Pruitt. He’s a longtime friend.”
Mr. Dawson looks over the folder once more. “Oh, yes. I’d forgotten that. You came up together through the ranks from kindergarten? That is a long friendship.” He lifts his gaze back to me but keeps his face down.
“It’s dear to me. I’m not sure I would have made it pro if not for him.”
“We were happy to sign you both, and I have no regrets.” He closes my portfolio and clasps his hands in front of him. “Now, about the incident at Sparkly’s”
I open my mouth to explain, but Coach nudges me beneath the table again.
“I see no reason to discipline you for a simple misunderstanding. Gracious, we all have them, don’t we? If you’re willing to issue a private apology, I see no reason we can’t put it behind us.”
I glance to Coach for permission to speak this time. When did I turn into a scolded child?
“Yes…yes, sir. I already planned to apologize because she deserves it, not because my image is under the microscope.”
“Good, good. Shall I send the guard for Katie?”
His no-nonsense way of getting to the bottom of things throws me, which I suspect is the purpose of the conversation.
Still, I work not to blow it. His kindness probably only stretches so far.
“I’m not sure. I doubt she’ll want to leave Spencer’s house at this point, not with what’s happening.
If she does, I’m sure Spencer will be with her.
Or me.” On second thought, maybe not with me since I seem to bring undue attention to everything, and Spencer and I can’t be with her every second.
“If you change your mind, I’m only a call away. Don’t hesitate. I, too, have a sister and would want her protected if things were unsteady and dangerous.”
Dangerous? For the first time, the realization that my father could have been in dealings with very dangerous men hits me fully. A public trial and any real consequences for mobsters could spell more trouble than the loss of my career.
“Actually, um…given the severity of the charges and the accused associates, maybe that is a good idea. At least when Spencer and I are at practice or games, just to be sure.” I twist my fingers together, acutely aware that my life has done more than turn upside down.
It may have become front page newsworthy… ah, yes…now it makes more sense.
“Certainly, and speaking of my sister, I’m sending her down to work as an assistant for you.
Primarily, she’ll be safeguarding your image and, in turn, the image of the Sharks.
She will report to me if there are issues, but mostly she will be here to help you and your family through this difficult time. ”
By the glare on Coach’s face, I for sure do not get a say in this. I’m getting a babysitter whether I like it or not.
“She has worked wonders for many players across our teams, and I have no doubt she will make your life and your sister’s much easier through this situation.
” Mr. Dawson leans closer, eyes level with mine.
“But I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that she will not be dating any players from any of my teams, am I clear? ”
I raise my hands in defense. “Crystal clear.”
He doesn’t move, not even a flinch. “I must also inform you that I am the most reasonable of my brothers, and that Eleanor is the apple of our eye. Rye and Iverson would kill you.”
Coach tenses, but there isn’t a gun in the world that could be held to my head long enough for me to consider looking at his sister as anything more than a business professional, especially not now.
“Sir, I can assure you, I’m not interested in dating my boss’s sister. I’m certainly not interested in taking advantage of your kindness in sending her to help us.”
Mr. Dawson sits straight and adjusts his tie.
“Good, now that that’s out of the way, I think you have an apology to deliver.
Eleanor will arrive tomorrow. In the meantime, lay low.
Only attend practice this afternoon, then disappear until she arrives to aid you.
I’ll have someone contact Katie about the guard. ”
Looks like my freedom was just stripped away by my boss, but at this point, I’ll take the direction. Clearly, I’m not great at figuring things out for myself. Besides, how bad could Eleanor Dawson be?