“Nah. Just looking over some recent games, taking note of some weaknesses we can work on.”
He nods. “Very well. You have a minute?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“Conference room, please.”
I get to my feet and realize my shoes are still untied. “Just a moment. I forgot to tie my shoes when I put them on after my skates.”
“No problem. Join us when you’re ready.”
Us. Huh. Maybe their purpose for watching practices is finally going to be shared with me. I grab my water bottle on the way out and head down the hall to the conference room. I’m not surprised to see Edries, nor am I surprised to see Chase Diamon, head of PR. Iamsurprised to see not one but two members of HR—Banks Devonash and Marta Adams.
Most have smiles for me as I enter, and I greet them pleasantly enough. The door gently swings shut behind me as I take a seat.
“Team is looking good this year,” Edries says.
“It is,” I agree. “The boys are working hard, and I think we’ll end the season with a good standing.”
“A chance at the playoffs?” Sylvan asks.
“I feel confident enough in saying this since it has Toby Eads’ blessing, but yes, I think we’ll make it to the playoffs.” I’m not surprised that I receive several grins in response. Toby Eads has some prophetic abilities as far as I’m concerned.
“Do you know why we called you here, Shively?” Sylvan asks.
“No, but I’m guessing it has something to do with why you’ve been watching our practices.”
He tilts his head, and I interpret that as an eh. Banks takes out a picture and slides it across the table to me. I’m looking at me and Dasan at the airport. We’re clearly in the middle of a conversation. Smiling. Talking. There’s nothing veryincriminating about the picture, though I know exactly when this is because of what I’m wearing. We’re returning from Kala. This is at LAX.
Careful to keep my expression neutral, I look up. “Okay, what am I missing here?”
I can see Banks’ annoyance. He slides a whole handful toward me, and I spread them out. The progression of the scenes makes it clear that someone has been watching us. There are three more of us walking and talking, but then there’s one of us holding hands, though that’s not all kinds of incriminating.
The next one is though. We’re kissing. In the fucking airport. Granted, we thought we were alone, hidden in an alcove.
Beyond that are none of us together. Just a lot of Dasan’s vehicle pulling into my driveway and him letting himself into my front door.
I stare at the one of us kissing. The sides of my vision darken, and it becomes difficult to breathe. My hand circles my wrist, holding my new collar, while I wish that Dasan was here. I have a feeling he’d know what to do. I need him here to tellmewhat to do right now.
“Clearly, you’re breaking some rules,” Banks says.
I’m surprised when Marta cuts in. “He’snotbreaking rules. We don’t have a single policy in place that states our coaches cannot be involved with members of the team. Only that they can’t be involved with management.”
It’s a technicality. I know that. These rules were written in a time when the world was only black and white. When toxic masculinity ruled sports. There weren’t any queer players back then and therefore, no need to put such a thing into policy.
Something Banks clearly wants to point out, but I’m sure, as HR, he knows that he’s treading on rocky ground.
“How long has this been going on?” Sylvan asks.
I consider his question. I think it makes the most sense to say from the beginning. “Four months,” I answer. There’s really no use denying it at this rate. The pictures don’t lie.
“He hasn’t shown Dasan any favoritism in that time,” Marta says. “We’ve all been watching. Closely.”
I shake my head. “Of course not. Dasan is a good player all on his own. He doesn’t need special treatment for any reason. He earned his position, and he works his ass off every single day to keep it. Nothing other than his raw talent, dedication, and hard work has gotten him where he is.” The defensiveness in my tone isn’t just for our relationship, though. I’m all too aware of my recent conversation with Ren.
“Calm down, Shively,” Sylvan says, raising a placating hand. “We’re not attacking Dasan’s game at all. Heisa spectacular player. That’s why we’ve kept him on the team. In many ways, he’s our prize player, and we don’t want to see him go anywhere.”
Which means… they’ll seemego somewhere.
