11. Media Training #2
The truth is that both my professional and romantic prospects are on shaky ground. Giving up either situation to concentrate on the other could still leave me kicked off the team and heartbroken if anything goes wrong.
Right now I have no solution to either of my problems, but maybe there’s something I could do to mitigate the fallout if I don’t get selected to be a Shooting Star or if I can’t keep my relationship with the guys a secret.
The level of noise in the auditorium has increased as people chime in about the implications of being public figures.
“I’m sorry,” ironically Vaughn sounds anything but apologetic.
“But I’m not gonna walk on eggshells every time I go to a party.
If some fucker wants to film me and post about me, why should it be my problem?
So what if I’m seen enjoying the occasional pair of tits? Aren’t we all supposed to be adults?”
Before any of the coaches can answer his question, Nash intervenes.
“Being an adult means understanding that you’re not gonna get paid just to play hockey.
If you think this is bad, wait until you go pro.
Some teams don’t care if you party hard as long as you don’t get arrested and you perform on the ice.
But there are teams who want to project a different image and they would bench you or trade you for a photo like the one we just saw.
And let’s not even talk about sponsors. The pressure is going to increase with fame and money.
Something like that could lose you millions if your sponsors don’t like to be associated with a wild fuck boy. ”
Vaughn stands up from his seat and leans one row down to glare at Nash. “What the fuck did you just call me? You’ve been here five minutes and you think you know me?”
They look like they’re about to come to blows.
“Guys,” Carole attempts to break up the stare down between them.
“I know your kind,” Nash says.
Vaughn’s fists are clenched in front of him, his blond eyebrows lowered as he scowls at Nash. “Do you, asshole? Then let’s take this outside and I’ll show you how to keep your fucking mouth shut.”
Nash shakes his head. “Grow the fuck up, Heston. The reason I know your kind is because I was just as stupid as you and I almost fucked everything up because I let my dick do all the thinking for me.”
“Whatever,” Vaughn sneers. “You and I are nothing alike. You worry about where you stick your dick and I’ll worry about my own. Got it?”
Mack slaps Vaughn on the back of the head. “Shut up, Heston. When one of your teammates is trying to help you sound like less of an asshat, you should listen. Your spoiled, rich boy privilege might work here, but it won’t take you far at the NHL level.”
The reprimand doesn’t have the desired effect.
“Oh, really?” Vaughn laughs. “That’s rich coming from someone who was born with a silver hockey stick up his ass.
Or do you think we don’t know that your daddy won two Olympic gold medals with team USA and had one of the biggest paychecks in the whole NHL for over a decade? ”
“Leave my father out of this.”
Mack is almost unrecognizable at the mention of his father. His usual smiling demeanor is gone. His glare reminds me of Nash right now.
“Heston.” Tucker gets involved. “Show your upper-class men some fucking respect.”
Those words have the opposite effect than Tucker intended.
“You know what?” Haller backs his teammate.
“I’m sick and tired of this attitude. Last year, we were constantly told to shut the fuck up because we were freshmen.
I guess we had to pay our dues or whatever.
But now this fucking seniority thing has gotten old.
If you want our respect, you have to earn it.
Besides, I’m not gonna let a washed up second year senior tell me what to do.
Shouldn’t you be headed to LA to play pro hockey?
And yet you’re still here. What did you do to fuck it up, huh, Prescott? ”
I don’t like the way Haller just spoke to Tucker. I might have met the hockey team just a few weeks ago, but it’s impossible not to see how Tucker is always there for his teammates when they need him.
I bite my tongue though, because I’m not supposed to know their dynamics since we’re supposed to stay away from the hockey players.
However, I’m not the only one who feels that way.
“Hey, that isn’t helpful.” Colsen scolds both his younger teammates. “Tucker was just trying to help.”
Vaughn crosses his arms over his muscular chest. “No, he was just trying to put me in my place. And I would have taken it if we hadn’t seen him getting in trouble for partying too hard a few too many times before.
Besides, he’s the last person who can fucking judge me since his photo with his hands all over Taryn playing tonsil hockey was the first example of what not to do. They just showed us.”
That comment plunges the room into total chaos.
“Hey!” Mack and Jodie react at the same time. “Leave Taryn out of this.”
“What’s up, Mack? Trying to get on Taryn’s good side so you can get in her pants?”
Carole calls out the guys’ language, but no one pays attention as people are yelling at each other. The cheerleaders join too and it might be just a matter of seconds before someone throws the first punch.
The loud, shrill sound of a whistle pierces through the dozens of agitated voices.
Coach Harrison blows on the whistle around his neck a few times until all the other noises in the room die down.
“Ladies!” He roars at his players, but rather than continuing to yell, his hand rubs the back of his neck and he hangs his head. “Sorry, Carole. Not ladies.”
He glares at his team before explaining.
“This behavior is unacceptable. For as much as we might not like it, times are changing. If you don’t like the way training camp is conducted, or you don’t want to adhere to the code of conduct expected from you on and off the ice, don’t let the door hit you on your way out.
We all have to make adjustments to comply with the expectations of our school, our sponsors, and our network.
” He looks at the film crew as the cameras focus on him.
“If that means that I’m no longer allowed to call you ladies because it’s disparaging or sexist, or whatever it is that is wrong with it, then so be it.
But if I can get on with the times and learn how to be more inclusive and politically correct, you can follow a few rules and make sure you don’t embarrass me, the school, our sponsors and the TV network with your social media presence.
Now you’ll sit through this class and learn how not to be a bunch of candy ass pucks. Am I being clear?”
“Yes sir!” the players yell in unison.
Carole addresses the women in the room. “Thanks, Dan. What Coach Harrison said applies to the cheerleaders, too.”
“Thank goodness this meeting wasn’t live streamed.” Lexi sighs, looking around the room with a serious expression. “We’ll have one hell of a time editing this footage. Your behavior was completely unbecoming of elite athletes and dancers.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The cheerleaders’ agreement is a little more subdued.
We know that we risk a lot more than the hockey team here. They can’t really get kicked off the team unless they really fuck up. Carole and Lexi still have several cuts to make to the roster to get to thirty-two.