“The other woman is a relative of one of the team’s largest sponsors. To say he was less than pleased to see his niece half dressed and intoxicated with one of our players would be an understatement.”
“He’s calling for your head on a platter,” Hugh snapped. “And I’m not so sure we shouldn’t give it to him.” Hugh was a hothead on a good day, and this was clearly not one of those. His complexion was red with anger, his body so rigid, he was in danger of breaking in two. “Dammit, Tank! How many times do I have to call you in here about your behavior off the ice?”
In the past, his slaps on the wrist had come from the coach and Hugh, and to be honest, they never felt like more than a “boys will be boys, just do this shit where there aren’t cameras” kind of speech.
Today was something more.
Probably because money was involved, if the sponsor was threatening to pull his support.
“I can ask Lara to speak to her uncle,” Tank suggested.
“No. You and your girlfriend have done?—”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Tank clarified.
“Jesus, Tank,” Coach Fields muttered, shooting him a “shut the hell up” look.
“You are not going to do anything that we don’t tell you to do. Charles Steele doesn’t want you anywhere near his niece.” James gestured toward Benny, who’d been quiet thus far. Which was probably a good thing, considering the “if looks could kill” glare he was shooting in Tank’s direction. “The PR department is in the process of writing up an apology that you will read at a press conference.”
“Apology?” Tank was struggling to figure out what he was supposed to be sorry for. He’d been celebrating one hell of a win, and if the stupid fire alarm hadn’t gone off, no one would have been the wiser about his private party. It wasn’t like the three of them were having an orgy in the street.
Benny scowled. “Yes. An apology. For your poor lack of judgment. And you will read it word for word. No straying from the script. We’ve scheduled a brief press conference for three o’clock today.” Benny looked him up and down. “You will need to shower, shave, and dress appropriately for it.”
James leaned back in his chair, staring him down hard. “We have spent a great deal of time and money on creating a specific family-friendly brand for this team, and your actions have damaged it. We’ve already heard from several outraged groups who’ve spoken out about your treatment of women, and how you’re setting a bad example for the young boys who look up to you.”
Tank started to defend himself, wanting to assure his boss that those women were there because they wanted to be and everything they did was consensual, but a quick glance toward his coach had him shutting his mouth.
“In addition to the apology,” James continued, “you will be suspended for the next two weeks.”
At this, Tank shot up from his chair. “You can’t do that!”
James narrowed his eyes. “I can do that. And I have.”
Tank looked toward Coach Fields, expecting him to fight the suspension, but the man just looked resigned.
“Furthermore,” James said, but Tank didn’t want to hear more. He wasn’t finished fighting the first battle.
“That’s six games,” he said, more to his coach than to James. “I’ll be out for six games.”
Coach Fields remained silent, but that was only because he didn’t have a chance to reply before Hugh banged his fist on the table.
“This isn’t your first offense, dammit! We told you the last time you were called into this office that there would be serious consequences if you didn’t rein in your behavior off the ice. The partying, the women…it’s all too much.”
“Furthermore,” James repeated, louder and with more force, annoyed at being cut off, “you will work closely with the PR department from now on as they attempt to repair your reputation.”
Tank sank back down in his seat, aware he wasn’t here to defend himself but rather to take his punishment like a good boy.
Fuck that, he thought bitterly.
“For how long?”
“For as long as it takes,” Benny said.
“Through the end of the season at least,” James added, pausing when Benny leaned closer, murmuring something Tank couldn’t hear in the president’s ear. “That’s a good point,” James said in response to Benny, before turning back to Tank. “You made quite a name for yourself in the off-season last summer.”
If partying his ass off in Turks and Caicos was wrong, Tank didn’t want to be right.
“You’ll work with the PR department until training camp begins next season. At that point, we’ll reevaluate,” James added.
