What in the world happened down there? One minute, he’s in the crease blocking a goal and the next he’s skating after a player and going after him.
I repeat…what the fuck?
“The press are going to have a field day with him,” Cassie comments next to me from her seat in the executive box.
“You think I don’t know that?” I snap. “What in the world has gotten into them tonight? This is a disaster.”
“I can think of one thing…” Cassie shifts in her seat and pins me with a knowing glare. “Can you really not think of what would set him off?”
“Oh God.”
I bury my face in my hands, letting my hair fall down around me so I don’t have to see anyone.
Did Nick do this because of me?
When the news got out, the world started pressing in from all sides. The press is having a field day, going through and finding any photo of Nick and me throughout his playing career and analyzing it for hidden meaning.
A few GMs have reached out stating I should break off my relationship to prevent any further damage to my reputation or the team’s good standing. One or two suggested I resign to stop any further disgrace I may bring upon myself.
The league, while they can’t do anything because there’s nothing stating I can’t date my player, said I need to lie low while they go into damage control mode.
Worst of all, I haven’t heard from my dad. I know he saw the news because his assistant said he would not be issuing a statement at the time.No commentmight be the worst thing he could possibly say.
I haven’t missed the looks I’ve been getting. The sneering and the catcalls have all been too much. It’s turning into a dumpster fire and I haven’t the faintest clue on what I should do.
“Something’s gotta give, Bex. The team can’t keep continuing like this.”
The horn sounds to end the second period. “God, we still have more hockey left to play?”
It’s one of the few times I wish we could end a game early, even if we’re losing. The less chance we have out there on the ice to screw ourselves over, the better.
The bright side? We’re leading our division and guaranteed a playoff spot.
“What am I supposed to do?” Tears well in my eyes as I watch the fans leave their seats during intermission. Dejection hangs heavy over my head. Over the fans’ heads. We’ve never been in a situation like this. This isn’t the kind of hockey the Black Diamonds are known for. “I’ve messed everything up.”
“C’mon.”
Cassie sidesteps me and grabs my hand, pulling me behind her. The other executives in the suite are casting morose looks my way. I can’t blame them when the team is down 5-2 and we lost our starting goalie.
“Out. Let’s go, out!” Cassie barks, kicking a few women out of the restroom as she kicks the door shut behind her and flicks the lock.
“What in the world are you doing?”
Cassie leans against the wall, giving me an assessing look. “You haven’t messed everything up, and you need to get that out of your head right now.”
“Then why does it feel like that?” I cross my arms. I feel like it’s the only thing I’ve been doing—trying to ward off all the unnecessary attention.
“Because you’re in the thick of things right now. Until you wade through the muddy waters you’ve stirred up, it’s going to be a shitty time.”
“Would a statement help?” I ask Cassie.
“It would only bring more speculation down on you. They’d take what you say and twist your words around until you’re the most hated person in the league.”
“I already am,” I sigh. “Maybe I should just end things with Nick. It’s what everyone is calling for. That and my job.”
Cassie moves in front of me and grabs my shoulders. “Is that what you want?”
“No.”
