But Jay said, “I’ve recommended to the team ownership that we extend a five-year contract to you. With a pay raise to begin with, followed by hefty yearly increases based on team performance, just like the rest of the coaching staff.”
I heard myself gasp. I wasn’t sure what else to say.
“You do want to work here another five years,” Jay said with a frown. “Right?”
“Yes! Yes of course!” I threw myself out of my chair and reached across the desk to hug him. “Thank you. Thank you so much. This dream means so much to me.”
“You’ve done a hell of a job, June. I didn’t think anyone could replace Andy, but you’ve exceeded all my expectations. The team stayed mostly healthy this season, all things considered. I believe you were a big part of that.”
I beamed. “Thank you.”
“But you have the off-season cut out for you,” he added. “We have six players still on the I/R list who I want ready to go by the first puck drop next season. Not to mention I need conditioning programs for everyone else, to keep them healthy and in shape. O’Malley is famous for putting on twenty pounds in the summer. He blames it on his mom’s homemade chocolate cake.”
“I’ll make sure to pencil him in for extra cardio,” I said with a smile.
“We’ll talk more about this in the coming weeks. For now, we all deserve some time off. I don’t want to eventhinkabouthockey until I’ve spent ten straight days on a beach in the Caribbean.”
“That sounds really nice,” I agreed. “Thank you, Jay. I promise I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t.” His smile faded. “One more piece of advice, if I may?”
“Of course.”
“Fill out the employee relationship disclosure form,” he said. “Three of them.”
I stood there, frozen.How did he know?
“If you’re wondering how I know,” he said slowly, “I’m observant. I know what goes on with my players.”
“Oh.”
“I’m not getting on your case,” he added. “Just telling you how to protect yourself. Relationships aren’t prohibited between players and employees, but the organization wants to know about it.”
“I… okay,” I managed to get out. “I’ll, um, do that.”
“No rush. But it would be ideal if you did itbeforenext season. The paparazzi are always hovering around, and things would go poorly if they were the ones to break any story.”
“Understood.”
“Now, from a personal perspective?” He tilted his head to the side. “I’ve never seen Rhett or Cole this happy before. Since you started dating them, they’ve been the best versions of themselves. And Elias…” He snorted. “Did you see the speech he made in the locker room today? I’ve never heard him speak a full sentence to me, let alone a goddamn motivational speech. You’re good for them, June. I really mean that.”
“Thank you, Jay. It’s nice to hear that from someone else.”
He nodded. “But seriously, fill out those disclosure forms. It’ll make my job of protecting you from any drama easier.”
When I was outside, I sent a group text to the boys.
Me: Do you guys have plans tonight?
Cole: Nope.
Elias: No
Rhett: Not me. Just wallowing in my misery. Why?
Me: Want to come over and take your frustrations out on me?
Rhett: I do, but I’m not sure which of us you’re talking to.
