Epilogue
F rom Penalty Box to Power Couple: Knox Callahan Breaks His Silence
Kara Paige: Coach Callahan, thank you for agreeing to this interview. I’m honestly shocked. Most of your press appearances involve one-word answers and a glare.
Knox Callahan: Then you should’ve stuck with one question.
Kara: laughs Okay, fair. Let’s address the elephant in the rink. You and Iris Evans. How long has that been happening?
Knox: shrugs Longer than your article will last in the algorithm.
Kara: That’s not an answer.
Knox: It’s the only one you’re getting.
Iris: from off to the side He’s trying to be mysterious. It’s not working.
Knox: You’re not helping, Red.
Kara: So it’s serious, then? You’re coaching. She’s playing. Isn’t there some rule about that?
Knox: Rule says don’t get caught. We didn’t.
Kara: Until you did. There were photos. The hallway incident?
Knox: smiles I’m not apologizing for kissing my girl.
Kara: Your player .
Knox: My person . Big difference.
Kara: People are saying this affects your objectivity as a coach. That Iris gets special treatment.
Knox: Right. Because making her run double drills and benching her for mouthing off is real romantic.
Kara: And yet, she’s leading the league in assists and just got invited to train with Team USA.
Knox: Yeah. Because she’s the best. Period.
Kara: So what happens next? You’re under contract. She’s potentially going national. Are you worried?
Knox: I’m not worried about us. We’ve survived worse than distance.
Iris: He means himself. He’s the worse.
Knox: smirks Not wrong.
Kara: And the rumors about you being offered a job in the pros again?
Knox: People love to talk. Doesn’t mean I’m listening.
Kara: So no truth to it?
Knox: If it happens, we’ll deal. She’s my priority. Always has been.
Kara: That’s… unexpectedly sweet.
Knox: Don’t quote me on it.
Kara: Too late. Thanks for your time, Coach. Iris, always a pleasure.
Knox: pauses You forgot to ask me the important thing.
Kara: What’s that?
Knox: If I’d do it all over again.
Kara: All right, would you?
Knox: Fuck yes. Every second of chaos. Every penalty. Every sleepless night. If it got me her? I’d do it twice.
Iris: And that’s why I’m keeping him.
Kara: rolls her eyes God, I hate when the broody ones get soft.