“You both did well,” she said without looking up. “Grant, you slipped at the end, but we can work with it. Jace, good instinct to defend without confirming.” She finally looked at us. “Now we go to Paul. And you let me talk.”
My stomach dropped. “Now?”
“Now. He wants both of you in his office immediately.” She started walking toward the executive wing. “And for the record, whatever you're about to say to defend yourselves, think very carefully. Because Paul is looking for a reason to end this.”
We followed her in silence.
Paul's officewas cold despite the afternoon sun streaming through the windows.
He was already pacing when we walked in, a newspaper clutched in one hand, phone in the other. His face was flushed, and I could see the vein in his temple throbbing.
“Sit,” he barked.
Jace and I sat. June remained standing near the door, tablet ready.
Paul threw the newspaper onto his desk with a slap that made us both flinch. “Do you have any idea what you've done? Do you have any concept of the damage this has caused?”
I kept my voice level. “We didn't leak those photos. We didn't ask for this.”
“No, you just gave someone the ammunition to destroy this organization's reputation.” He leaned forward, hands braced on the desk. “Sponsors are calling. The league office is asking questions. Fans are divided. The media is having a field day. And all because you couldn't keep your personal life separate from your professional obligations.”
“I did keep them separate?—”
“You ignored protocol. And now there are photos proving you were closer than any coach should be with any player.” Paul's voice rose.
“I know.”
“You were compromising your position.” Paul straightened up, and I saw something cold settle into his expression. “You know why you were fired from your last job, Grant. Inappropriate boundaries with a player. That's what they said. That's what's on your record, even if it was hushed up.”
“That situation was different,” I said carefully.
“Was it? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you have a pattern. You get emotionally involved with players. You cross lines. And when it blows up, you act surprised.” Paul's voice was cutting. “I took a chance on you. Gave you a second opportunity. And this is how you repay me?”
“I never compromised my coaching.”
“You benched our star player during a playoff push!”
I stood up, hands clenched at my sides. “Don't.”
“Don't what? Point out that every decision you've made regarding Hartley has been questionable at best?” Paul's eyes were ice. “It's all right there, Grant. And you're going to stand here and tell me there's nothing going on?”
“Paul—” June tried to interject.
“No. I want to hear it from him.” Paul turned his full attention on me. “Are you in a relationship with Hartley? Yes or no.”
The room went silent except for the hum of the HVAC and my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. Every instinct screamed at me to deny it, to protect us both, to save what little career I had left. But I was so fucking tired of lying.
“That's not the question you should be asking,” I said quietly.
“Then what is?”
“Whether I've ever let my feelings compromise my judgment. Whether I've ever made a decision that put Jace's career at risk. Whether I've ever prioritized anything over this team's success.” I met Paul's eyes. “And the answer to all of those is no.”
“That's not what I asked.”
“I know what you asked.” My voice was steady now, controlled. “And I'm telling you it doesn't matter. What matters is that I did my job. I pushed him when he needed to be pushed. I protected him from himself when he was destroying his body for hockey. And I'd do it all again.”
Paul stared at me, and I watched understanding dawn on his face. “You're in love with him.”
