“I want each of my candidates to listen to what I’m about to say very carefully. Because this is the one and only get out of jail card you’ll ever get. One of the clauses in your contract stipulates that your place in the Shooting Stars is subject to a non fraternization rule. There is to be no fraternization between cheerleaders and hockey players during training and during the season. Anyone who is found in breach of this clause will be immediately asked to leave training camp or have their contract terminated effective immediately.”
More murmurs travel through the ranks of cheerleaders and the hockey team.
“While fraternizing with the cheerleaders wouldn’t get any of my players excluded from the roster,” Coach Harrison stands up to point out. “I expect full cooperation from each and every one of you. We win as a team, and we lose as a team. And if you disappoint my expectations, there will be consequences. Including riding the bench. Am I clear?”
“Yes, sir.” The hockey players’ voices fill the auditorium.
Someone raises her hand several rows below us.
“Yes, Olivia?” Carole points toward Olivia right after Gen whispers something in her friend’s ear.
“I’m sorry for asking.” Olivia stands up. “But is there a reason why we’re discussing this today?”
An ominous feeling in the pit of my stomach makes me feel queasy.
“Oh, no,” Jodie hisses, leaning to whisper to me over Mack. “She had better not have done what I think.”
Carole answers the question before I can say anything in response to Jodie’s suspicions.
“Sadly, yes. It has come to my attention that there was a party last night at a popular club downtown, Star Cove. One photofrom the club’s account has been brought to my attention. I’m sorry,” she says to the filming crew. “I need you to stop filming right now. This is something that needs to remain confidential.”
The cameramen don’t look happy, but they do as Carole asks.
“Lexi, can you show that photo on the big screen behind me, please?”
The chief choreographer nods from the first row, and one second later, the photo of me and Tucker that Gen showed us earlier appears in high definition despite being blown up on the movie theater style screen.
It’s complete chaos. People are laughing, gasping, catcalling, and someone is even hollering.
Coach Harrison blows on his whistle. “This is not a cattle market. You will all conduct yourselves like the civilized adults you’re supposed to be, or else!”
Silence descends again in the auditorium. You could hear the proverbial pin drop.
Colsen looks at me. His pinky finger brushes against mine on the edge of my seat.
Nash turns his scowl toward me for one second before turning back, shaking his head.
Tucker raises his hand from his spot in the middle of the auditorium. “Coach, ma’am. If I may.”
Coach Harrison turns to look at his star goalie. I can see his jaw ticking from all the way up here. “I urge you to choose your next words very carefully, Prescott.”
Tucker stands up. “That photo is my fault. Last night was my birthday, and I got carried away. Please don’t punish Taryn because of my lapse in judgment. In our defense, we didn’t know we weren’t allowed to… fraternize.”
Madison snorts from her spot next to Genevieve. “Fraternize? That’s more like mating in the middle of the dance floor.”
“Madison!” Carole scolds her. “This isn’t the kind of behavior I expect from my cheerleaders. You’re dismissed. Pack your things and leave camp immediately.”
“But I—” Madison’s stunned voice breaks.
“Leave. Now.” Carole insists. “And Tucker, thank you for your heartfelt words. It speaks volumes about your ethics that you would take responsibility for Taryn’s actions. But it takes two to tango.”
Tucker doesn’t relent. “But if Taryn gets kicked out, I deserve to be kicked out too. It would be only fair.”
What is Tucker doing? I appreciate his sense of justice, but I would never forgive myself if he got kicked out of the team because of me.
“Let me and Coach Harrison worry about what’s fair.” Carole bites out. “I understand that the rules seem harsher for the cheerleaders than they are for the players. But the hockey team is an asset to the college and the whole division. We’re forming this professional team with the intention of supporting the future NHL team that will come to Star Cove. But we don’t have to have a cheer team. This is why the rules are more lenient for you guys. You bring glory and money to the town. It’s harsh, but it’s the truth. And, like I mentioned before, this is your one get out of jail card. So this time, Taryn is going to get a warning. And before anyone else decides to complain, the reason is that there was a clerical error and the non fraternization rule wasn’t mentioned anywhere in any of the material you’ve received during the selection process and when you moved into your accommodation here at camp. But the mistake is being corrected as we speak. So you’ll all receive an email highlighting what we just discussed. Now, if there aren’t any other questions…”
Gen raises her hand.
