Chapter 23 #2
My eyes cut to the front row, where my parents sit.
Startled, my head jerks back. I wouldn’t have thought my dad could handle this kind of press.
Then again, maybe he’s here to make sure his own hide is covered?
I tilt my head to the side. The nagging question of how this information came to light and my suspicion of my dad aren’t going away.
But under the watchful gaze of dozens of eyes, I can’t dwell on that.
A bead of sweat swells on my temple. I grip both sides of the podium to steady my hands.
The room goes silent, like everyone’s holding their breaths, waiting for me to fail.
I lean into the mic. “Good morning, everyone. I’m not going to take too much of your time, but I’d like to address the allegations—"
The door behind me flies open with so much force a breeze pulls my gaze in that direction. Murmurs ripple through the room. And now I see why.
Bill Baker strides in, chest puffed like he’s wearing protective armor. His eyes lock on me. I know that look. He’s not angry. He’s concerned more than anything. He raises a hand, silencing the whisper. Then leans to my ear. “I need to ask you to step aside, son.”
I freeze. This is worse than any sudden-death round.
Is this where he throws me under the bus for good?
I screwed up not calling him. I have no clue what he’s about to say. Surely, he’ll drag my name through the mud to save himself. It’s going to be one final, humiliating blow, ending my career forever.
I don’t move.
I grip the podium even tighter, glaring at him. “No.” My voice cracks with equal parts anxiety and fury. If I’m getting fired, there’s no point kissing up to Bill. “I have something to say. Everyone thinks I—”
He cuts me off with a hand on the podium, as he slides in beside me. “And you will get your turn. But it’s best if I speak first. This is my team.” His salt-and-pepper eyebrows arc into a warning.
Terrified, I sidestep, one hand still clinging to the podium for balance. Bill slides to the center of the podium, yanking the microphone close to his mouth, causing a screech that doesn’t faze him. He boldly looks at the crowd.
“I’ve got a few things to make clear. The biggest one is that Elijah joined this team a year ago, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I followed his high school career very closely and was always impressed.
When I met him and learned he hadn’t signed with a college, I was smart enough to understand a good thing when I saw it.
Noah had just been traded. I had a spot.
I offered Elijah a walk-on spot with Granite Ice, and it’s been a win for us both.
He has worked hard every day for this team. ”
He pauses, shifting his weight from one leg to the other, bracing on the podium.
“Now, about the circumstances of our meeting. That was unconventional, and my fault. He had nothing to do with it. I ran into his car. No one was hurt. Neither of us was doing anything illegal. It was, by definition, an accident. I’d racked up too many speeding tickets and didn’t want any more points.
I insisted on paying cash. When he declined and wanted to call the police, I …
” Bill pauses, takes an audible breath, and continues, “offered him a spot on the roster and asked him not to mention the accident.”
A hush falls so heavy I hold my breath, not wanting even the movement of my chest to draw attention to me. My face burns as I scan the crowd.
“I understand the league is disappointed in my actions and has opened an investigation. I intend to cooperate with them. But—” His voice falters.
He looks at me. “What I did taints Elijah’s reputation, his teammates’ trust, and the integrity of this organization.
That’s on me.” He straightens, leaning away from the podium.
“I’ll be stepping away from team operations during the investigation.
I will not be taking questions. Thank you for supporting this great team. ”
As soon as he takes a step back, hands shoot up, and the room explodes with questions.
It’s hard for me to focus on any of it as my senses have blurred, and my pulse throbs in my ear.
Bill turns to me, rests a pudgy hand on my shoulder, and squeezes in a wordless apology.
Then he pivots and strides offstage with his chin held high.
I’ve got to hand it to him. Self-esteem has never been his problem.
I step to the mic again, blinking to avoid direct gazes.
Oddly, my chest loosens. I take a breath.
“As you know, I’m Elijah Jonas. I don’t have much to add to Bill’s statement.
I can confirm it’s true.” I pause, finding my voice.
“All of it. I’m sorry for misusing your trust, but I’ve worked hard every day to earn my spot on this team.
I love this game. Whatever happens next, I’ll respect the league’s decision. ”
My attention goes to Koren in the corner. The rest of my words die there. I don’t need to say anything else. Nobody else matters. I know that whatever happens, we’ll get through it together.
I exit through the same side door Bill did.
My knees nearly buckle from losing the support of the podium.
Bill is already gone, and it’s just me back here, and I blank.
I just addressed everyone, but I can’t remember what I said.
Did I thank them for their support? I hope I didn’t sound like an idiot.
Taking the back tunnels out of the arena, I’m grateful to avoid the crowd, and I nearly bump into Koren. Before I can speak, she throws her arms around me. Burying my face in her shoulder, I steady the rhythm of my breathing with hers.
She runs her hand along the side of my face. “You did it.”
“I did something,” I mutter, struggling to speak through the thickness in my throat. “I have no idea what it will accomplish, but my conscience is clear.” I pull her and change the subject. “What’s really amazing is how you got back here before me. Did you fly?”
“I wish I could have flown. I ran as fast as I could.” She leans in and kisses me quickly. “I’m so proud of you,” she says against my lips.
I let out an exhausted sigh with emotion clouding my throat. I don’t know how I got this lucky. I’m going to make sure she never doubts how much I care about her. “I love you.”
Her grin is sincere. “Same.” She reaches around my jacket, adjusts my collar, and says, “Maybe I’m wrong, but it didn’t sound like Bill or the league fired you.”
“I won’t be able to play until the investigation clears my name.” She nods, brushing her fingers along my face once more. I resist the urge to close my eyes and just stay here with her where it’s easy. “I want to try to catch Coach before he leaves though.”
“Right.” She rises to her toes, pressing another chaste kiss to my lips. “I won’t keep you.”
“I’ll call you later,” I say over my shoulder, heading out.
I scurry down the hall until I’m in front of Coach Carlson’s office.
I’d texted him earlier to request a meeting with him after the conference, and I put my hand on his door handle.
If I had time to pause, I’d eavesdrop to see if anyone is there, but there’s no time to waste, I knock and wait.
The door swings open and Coach is standing there with a stern look on his face. I swallow hard.
There’s dead silence. My heart slams so hard against my ribcage it feels like it’s going to break. He glares at me for a solid thirty seconds before saying flatly, “It’s out of my hands. We have to wait for the league to decide, but if I were you, I’d put your jersey on.”
I blink. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, don’t quit first.” He gives me a curt nod, and I back out as it’s clear neither one of us really wants to say anything else.
I’ve never moved faster as I ran out of the arena.
I don’t know what will happen next.
I'll do what I’ve always done and work my hardest to earn my spot.
I wasn’t prepared for what was waiting for me every day that followed that week.
The headlines didn’t roll in like I expected. They exploded.
“Granite Ice Player, Elijah Jonas, Crashes Career in Cover-Up Scandal” “Hockey Star Admits Closed-Door Deal with Owner, Bill Baker” “Granite Ice Owner, Bill Baker Under Investigation for Recruitment Violations”
I shut my phone off to prevent the spiral. The world felt like it was closing in, and I didn’t need front-row seats to my own public implosion.
After a few days without my phone, time stopped making sense. I couldn’t tell what day it was. I was still breathing and eating. It wasn’t living, though, it was survival mode. My goal was to get through the day and then start all over the next.
I guess it was good it was the off season as I hid at home. After a few days of not going out, Koren knocks on the door. I know it’s her because her knock is soft and unthreatening.
“It’s unlocked,” I call out, squinting toward the door.
The sunlight through my drawn-tight blinds is soft, but nothing feels warm.
I’ve been sitting at my kitchen table for over an hour, just clicking the end of a pen like it might eventually solve my problems. Koren walks in with her hands in her fall jacket pockets.
I didn’t even know it was jacket weather outside. She watches me for a beat before saying, “You’re quiet again. And trust me, I get it. But I need to know what you are thinking?”
Trying to smile at her, because she deserves all my smiles, I force the edges of my lips up. “Officially, I’m past the thinking stage. I’m numb.”
She takes a few more steps forward until she’s next to me, brushing her hand against my face. “You can’t hide in here forever.”
Sighing, I rub a hand over the back of my neck, and mumble, “I got an attorney. He’s not exactly a good one. He had a lot of bad reviews online. He’s more like a legal clerk with a law degree, but he’s willing to take the case. With no money, I didn’t have a lot of options.”
“Well, that’s a huge step.” While she tries to sound cheery, I can tell her words are forced because she’s missing the matching glint in her eye.
I offer a noncommittal shrug. “I have my first meeting with him this afternoon.”
“Good. What time should I be ready?”
Blinking, I do a double take as I rewind what she said. “Koren, this is my mess. You don’t have to come. Seriously, I don’t want to drag you into this.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to.”
Sighing because finding words is so incredibly hard lately, I look away. “This is going to get ugly. I’m probably not going to win. And even if I do, everything is going to be public. I can’t have you bear that burden.”
She lowers herself onto the chair next to mine and reaches for my hands. “Can you just look at me?”
I do.
“I’m not here for an Instagram-perfect life. I’m here for you. Even when things are hard.”
My eyes sting, and my blinks come fast, holding back my emotion. I hate this whole thing so much, but one thing it’s showed me is who is truly on my team. I squeeze her hands and say, “I don’t deserve you.”
“Yes, you do.” Her voice is soft, insisting, before her lips bend into a small smirk. “Now, let’s go get coffee before this meeting starts, because I’m going to need some brain fuel.”
She starts to stand, but I squeeze her hands tighter, tugging her gently back until she lands in my lap. She doesn’t resist, fitting exactly where she belongs and wraps a hand around my neck. I stare into her eyes and say, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For everything. I love you.”
“You’re welcome, and you have to stop acting like you’re alone in this.” She leans forward, pressing a kiss to my cheek, so soft it makes my eyes close for a moment. “I love you for always.”