“We?”
“Yeah, I’m not going to let you do this alone.”
I sit there, playing back what he said and letting myself feel his words. “What about the other stuff?”
“You once told me that it’s okay to mess up and make mistakes, it’s part of the journey. So give yourself some grace and listen to yourself. Trust that you know what you’re doing, and if you need help or guidance, then you talk it outlike we are now.” He looks at me and smiles, and I feel myself start to relax even more.
“And if they hate you, you have an entire team of players who will set them straight. We’ve been struggling with staffing issues, so just know that when the team loves you, they will fight for you.”
My heart warms at that. This team, despite only knowing most of them for a month, have easily become my extended family. It’s been so easy to be warm and open with them, and I feel accepted and included.
“Okay.”
“Okay, as in you’re going to do it?”
“Okay, as in I’ll have a decision by time I walk into the arena tonight.”
“Good. Now go get dressed before we’re late.” He smiles, and I take that as my cue to walk over to the bathroom and get ready.
Talking through my doubts and worries helped. I know my worth in this field, and I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. I just needed to get out of my head and listen to myself and not my demons.
I shut the door and face the mirror, looking down the logo on my shirt with a newfound confidence and determination.
The locker room is packed, the guys ready for game time. I’m standing off to the side with Emilia, our backs against the wall as we wait for Coach Davenport to come in for his pregame speech and then to walk out with the team.
“So, have you decided what you’re going to do yet?” Emilia eyes me curiously.
“I have, I just hope it’s the right decision for the team.”
“No, it has to be the best decision for you. Screw the team. You’re being asked to do a job that, while I know you’ll kick ass at it, you weren’t prepared for. If you tell my dad no, he won’t hold it against you. He knows he’s asking you for a lot, but the decision is up to you. And whatever you decide, I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks, Em.” I give her a side hug as Coach Davenport and the staff all enter the room.
“All right, gentlemen,” he starts, and the guys all settle down as Coach walks to the center of the locker room. “Tonight is our final away game before we head home. Now, I know it’s been an intense week for you all. You’ve been playing your asses off, so don’t let your foot off the pedal just yet. We still have one more game before we get a nice four-day break.”
Connor walks over and stands next to Coach to give his pregame pep talk. “Coach is right, we’re doing great out there. I’m proud to play with you all, and tonight’s going to be another great game. Keep pushing, keep your eyes focused and ready, but most of all, just enjoy your time on the ice. Someday, you won’t be here. It’s these memories and these games that will matter the most to you. So let’s get our heads in the game and get that W.”
The team erupts in cheers and the guys all start to line up, awaiting the official word to walk down the tunnel. Coach walks over to Emilia and I, stopping just in front of us.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, sweetheart.” He holds out his hand as they complete some kind of complicated handshake that’s justfor them. It’s sweet to see this interaction between them, knowing if my dad were here, we’d be doing something similar.
“Kailyn.” He turns to me, and I smile, hoping it puts him a little bit at ease. “I know I’m asking a lot of you, and I meant what I said earlier. If you need more time to decide, I completely understand. You’ve been doing a great job with the team and the guys have nothing but positive things to say about you, but you don’t owe me or them anything.”
“I appreciate it, Coach. Em reminded me I have to do what’s best for myself.” I look at her and she winks before looking back at her dad, who smiles back at her. “With that said, I’m going to help out tonight, but my official answer is going to have to wait until after we get home. I want to know what I’m getting into before I make the final call.”
Coach smiles at me, a look of approval shining in his eyes as he sighs and his shoulders visibly relax. “I can work with that. And listen, Jake came to me earlier and said you had some concerns about the other staff taking offense to this. I can only tell you that, while you’re the newest member to this team, you have the most experience out of everyone here. They’re all young kids who are just starting. Many of them expressed how happy they were when I asked you to take over. The only person who might give you grief is Eric.” I nod my head, thinking about the couple interactions I’ve had with him and the things I’ve heard whispered in the halls.
It’s all subtle, but there seems to be more negative than positive when it comes to Eric. He makes snotty remarks about people, he’s lazy, and he’s not as good at his job as he thinks he is. Even from the first interaction I had with him, he gives off an entitled, almost arrogant aura that has me staying as far away from him as I can.
“I’ll be blunt. He’s been a pain in my ass from the day he started here. I’ve been trying to get him out for a while, but he hasn’t done anything big enough for HR to get involved, and I can’t go to the GM until that happens. So if he starts shit with you, you come tell me immediately, you understand?”
It now makes sense why he was so angry getting off the bus earlier today and why he had that death glare when he was looking at me.
“I saw him leave the bus earlier, and he seemed livid. You think he feels angry because Dr. Sanders' didn’t ask him? Like maybe he deserved it over me?” I ask.
“Let’s just say that version of him was more tame then when we originally told him of our decision. Just please watch your back and come to me if things feel off.”
