45. Sebastian
Chapter forty-five
Sebastian
Two Weeks Later
I’m lounging in my hotel room in Boston before the second game of the second round of the playoffs when my phone dings.
Hunt: Have you seen the news?
News? What news?
Me: No.
Hunt: Turn on SportsCenter.
I grab the remote and switch on the TV, flipping to SportsCenter as they come back from commercials.
“If you’re just tuning in, we’re talking about a scandal that just broke. Four players across the professional hockey league, along with two officials and a still unnamed member of the Player Safety Board, have been accused of taking bribes to influence games.”
My heart hammers as the host goes on to name the players, including Elliot Jacobs, and the officials and says that the league is doing a full investigation, whatever the heck that means. But, bloody hell, I can’t believe this is happening. Maybe this means this mess will finally be behind us.
I grab my phone and send a text to Sutton. I wish I was home with her, but I have a job to do here—help my team win the second round of the playoffs.
Sutton: Mads just texted to tell me. I’m shocked. But glad justice will finally be served. Hopefully.
Me: What about your father?
Sutton: I imagine he’s being investigated too, but who the fuck knows.
Me: We can only hope.
Me: I miss you.
Sutton: I miss you too. I love you.
Me: Love you. I’ll text you later after the game.
Sutton: I’ll be waiting to hear from you. I’m going to go take a nap so I can stay up to watch the game.
Me: Sleep good.
I set my phone on the nightstand and tune back into SportsCenter, but they’ve moved on to talking about baseball and potential expansion locations. I shut off the TV and close the curtains so I can take a nap, or try to take a nap, before the game.
I hope we win tonight. Win the series. Go on to play in the finals and even win the Cup.
But I’m also ready for the season to be over. To move into our new house, the one that’s down the road from all our friends.
But what I’m even more excited for is to take Sutton home to England with me this summer and introduce her to my family. Show her where I grew up.
Mostly, I’m just ready to start this next chapter of my life with the love of my life and our daughter, surrounded by our friends and family.