He really wanted to do this? Well, fine.
“Dillion is a terrible coach,” I said bluntly. “He spends eighty percent of his time working with five or six guys. He lets the assistant coaches do all the heavy lifting. And his attitude is godawful.”
“He’s not the most positive guy in the world,” Andrew began, but I cut him off.
“Look, I don’t need a coach to blow sunshine and rainbows up my ass in order to be inspired. I’m not talking about that. Dillion is straight up negative about the team and the cityandthe organization. He plays favorites. He obviously favors guys he brought from Atlanta—so long as they’re good Canadian boys because he treats the Europeans like shit.” I took a deep breath. “And he’s awful to Dalton. He won’t even fucking look at the kid unless he’s screaming at him.”
Andy’s eyes narrowed. “You think he’s discriminating against Dalton because of his race?”
“I haven’t heard him use a slur, but yeah, I think that’s exactly what’s happening. Gabe is the best winger we have. He keeps his head down at practice. He causes no drama and he’s a total team player. So why is he the guy Coach can’t stand to look at? Why does he get less playing time than a fourth line rookie?Why is he constantly getting in his face, spewing f-bombs? The way he treats Gabe is unacceptable. Beyond that, he doesn’t seem to give a shit about whether the team wins or loses. He’s the worst coach I’ve ever played for.”
Andrew was quiet for a long moment. “You think he needs to go?”
It wasn’t my place to say, I knew that. There were a lot of things that went into hiring that I knew nothing about. I hadn’t seen Dillion’s contract. I was sure his long career and pair of Stanley Cup rings gave the fledging organization some much needed legitimacy.
But I also knew he was bad for the guys on the ice. And if Andrew was actually as serious about all of this as he said he was…
“He should be replaced,” I said firmly. “As soon as possible.”
Andrew just watched me. “Okay then,” he said, clasping his hands, posture as casual as if we were talking about what to order for lunch. “I’ll take care of it.”
I blinked. “Just like that?”
He lifted one shoulder. “You’re telling me he’s a bad fit for our team. I don’t think you would do that if you didn’t feel seriously about it.”
“I wouldn’t,” I said quickly.
Andy nodded. “Look, I can tell you want this organization to do well. I know Austin is a good fit for you, with your daughter and in-laws living here. It’s clearly in your best interest to make the franchise as successful as possible.” His lips quirked again. “Besides all that, you’ve never struck me as a dishonest guy. I trust you on this.”
Well, fuck me. I never in my life would have imagined Andy Knight trusting me about anything.
“I told you before,” he said, voice almost gentle. “I brought you on because I knew you were good for my team. You’vealways been a good guy, Liam.” He chuckled a little. “Shit, why do you think I always hated you so much?”
“Whydidyou hate me so much?” I blurted out. I always used to tell myself it was just a personality clash, paired with intense competitiveness on both sides. But maybe it was more than that.
Andy was wearing that old familiar smirk that always got my hackles up. “I hated youbecauseyou were a good guy, nice to everyone. And it wasn’t just an act—you were truly as easygoing and decent as you appeared. And I was a fucked-up kid from the wrong side of town with an inferiority complex.”
I blinked at him several times. I’m not sure what I expected him to say, but it wasn’t that.
“You had a lot of shit to deal with,” I muttered, my image of him as a surly kid and teenager shifting a little. I knew how hard Grace had it back then—why hadn’t I ever cut her brother any slack for facing those same struggles? I used to get so jealous of Andy’s close relationship with Coach Newton back in high school. Why hadn’t I stopped to think Newton was likely the only positive male role model in Andrew’s life?
“Anyhow,” Andy said, leaning back in his chair again. “I’ll take care of Dillion. Cane is going to be a bit more complicated. He’s worth a lot and I’d rather not trade him for peanuts if I can help it.”
“Sure,” I agreed, even though I would much rather play with a bag of peanuts than ever skate with Ryan Cane again. When Andy didn’t seem inclined to say more, I started to rise. “Are we done, then?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it again, jaw clenching as he nodded. I stood, walking to the door, that exhaustion kicking in again.
“Liam,” he called when I reached the door. I turned to see a familiar sharpness had settled over his features. “I’d prefer to keep personal issues separate from team matters. But it’s goingto be a lot harder for me to trust your good intentions if you keep fucking with my sister.”
I stiffened, tension settling over me like a weight. “I told you I wouldn’t hurt her,” I began, anger flickering in my gut, but Andy cut me off with a snarl.
“Well, she seemed pretty damn hurt when I saw her yesterday.”
Fuck. “Andy, I don’t know what you think happened?—”
“You have a history of toying with her emotions.”
Was he kidding me? “I havenevertoyed with Grace.”
