They’re quiet as they nod.
“Thanks, man,” Nick says.
I take off my pads, shower, and get dressed. Then I head to Coach Sawyer’s office.
* * *
“You’re suspended for two games,” Coach Sawyer says, glaring at me from across his desk.
I let out a quiet breath, relieved it’s not worse. I half expected to be kicked off the team, so missing two games a couple of months into the season isn’t all that bad.
I’m still on edge though. It’s clear Coach Sawyer is pissed.
He tosses his phone on his desk and pushes up from his chair. He yanks his tie loose and mutters a curse.
“I’m not a fan of temper tantrums, Morrissey,” he says before sitting back down. “This isn’t daycare. You don’t get to bicker with an opposing player and smack each other around. This is college hockey. You should know better.”
“I understand, Coach. I swear, it wasn’t some petty thing. It was…” I trail off, unsure if it’s worth explaining to him.
Briar’s been so private about what Logan did to her. It’s not my place to talk about it with my coach, even if it might make him ease up on me.
I’m certain he’s going to bench me after the suspension is over. I just have to deal with it.
“I heard what Casler said to Morrissey in the tunnel.”
I turn around and see Coach Tremblay walk into Coach Sawyer’s office.
“It was despicable. Casler deserved the beating he got,” Coach Tremblay says.
I stare at him, shocked. When I look at Coach Sawyer, his angry glare is gone. His expression turns thoughtful as he thinks about what Coach Tremblay just said.
“I appreciate the perspective, Coach Tremblay.” Coach Sawyer is quiet for a while. He studies me with that hard expression.
“You’re not one to get into trouble, Morrissey. For that reason, I’m gonna let this go. You’ll do the two-game suspension, and that’ll be that.”
I huff out a breath. “Thank you, Coach. Sorry about all this.”
“Don’t let it happen again.”
“I won’t.”
I stand up and head toward the door of his office. Coach Tremblay holds the door for me and walks out too.
“Coach Tremblay, wait,” I say.
He stops and turns around to me.
“Thanks for standing up for me.” I’m still stunned. I hardly know the guy, and he went out on a limb for me.
“No problem.” He walks off, and I head back to the locker room.
Chapter 49
Blake
When I walk into the house, Briar is in the living room. She runs up to me. I grab her and kiss her.
“I saw your fight with Logan. And the brawl that broke out afterwards. It’s all over college sports news and social media,” she says when we break apart.
