Page 40 of Breaking the Ice

“No,” I whisper, feeling something inside me break. That's it, it's official now. Caleb has chosen against me and for his career. I know I suggested it to him myself. But secretly, I had hoped he wouldn't go through with it. I see Dad shoot me a pained look. His expression says it all: You were right, my dear, it looks like we've both been betrayed. Then he clears his throat, squares his shoulders, and approaches the two of them. He will advocate for me, protect me. I swallow down the pain. Now you have to be brave, I tell myself, straightening my own shoulders and following my father.

“Mr. Flake, what brings us the honor?”

When the man in the wheelchair spots us, his face darkens.

“I'm not here because of you, Maxwell, but because of your daughter,” he barks, passing by Dad and heading straight for me. “You!” His finger points accusingly at me while Jessica grins maliciously behind him. “How dare you try to poison my boys with this garbage?” He tosses a small plastic bag to me, which I reflexively catch. It's transparent and filled with yellow pills, on which a smiley face can be seen. I look at the pills with furrowed brows, realizing what Jessica's plan is.

“Did you think I wouldn't find out, or what? You're fired! On the spot!”

“Just a moment! What is this about? What are you accusing my daughter of?” Dad intervenes and comes over to us. Behind him, Jessica slithers towards me like a snake.

“Your daughter tried to sell drugs to my players. Jessica saw with her own eyes how she tried to sell these pills to Durand.”

“That can't be true, she would never do something like that.”

“Oh, so you're claiming my daughter is lying?”

“I'm saying that Emma is a decent girl and has nothing to do with drugs.”

“Well, if your child is as decent as you claim, then please explain to me how we found these pills on her!” Mr. Flake gets louder with every word. His head is as red as a tomato. “If there's one thing I strictly forbid my team, it's drugs. And then your daughter comes along, trying to peddle her crap to the boys!” Still holding the plastic bag, I helplessly look back and forth between the two men.

“I told you already, Emma doesn't deal! Where did this trash even come from? Who says it's hers?”

“We searched her massage room and found the pills hidden under the cushion of the table! So, what do you say now? Are you still convinced your sunshine is innocent?!”

“Then someone must have planted it on her.”

“Please, Maxwell, don't make a fool of yourself.”

“What do you think, Emma?” Jessica hisses quietly, stepping closer to me as our fathers debate fervently. “Didn't I find a good hiding spot under the freshly covered table where you and Caleb had your fun last night?” What? I look at her in disbelief. Caleb was right, someone was outside the door!

“Don't look so dumbstruck; I heard you two. You had a lot of fun. But where is he now, your great lover?” She raises her hands and looks around in an exaggerated manner. “Looks like he's leaving you in the lurch.” Jessica feigns a sympathetic expression. “Well, it seems you've lost. Caleb has left you.” Hearing these words from her mouth is like receiving a slap in the face. I don't know if I'd rather wipe the smug grin off her face or just run away.

“You can twist and turn it all you want, Emma brought drugs into my ice rink. That's why she's fired!” I hear Mr. Flake say coldly next to us. I turn my attention to my father, who places his hands on his hips.

“If you fire my daughter, I'll leave too.”

“Please, feel free. You're not the only sports masseurs in this world. Bill will find a replacement.” Mr. Flake's mouth is pressed into a misshapen scar as he looks from my father to me. “You pack your things and get out. Today!” he growls, passing me by. I know he won't believe my words any more than he believes my father's. Still, I have to try. Even though Caleb has left me, I don't want to leave Portland and lose Toby and the others.

“Sir, please, I know it looks like the pills belong to me. But I really have nothing to do with them.”

“Save your breath, girl. It's over.” I'm about to explain to him that his daughter set this up when I hear footsteps. Many footsteps! The four of us look down the hallway, where Toby and the other players come around the corner. I spot Byers, Parker, and even the eyebrow-less Durand, who's wearing a Devils cap and looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. Only Caleb isn't with them. The guys head straight towards us and stop just in front of the wheelchair.

“What are you doing here?” Flake wants to know.

“Preventing you from making a mistake,” Toby explains, briefly glancing over at me, as if to make sure I'm okay, then turning back to his boss. “Is it true? Did you fire Emma?” How does he know?

“That's none of your business, now let me through.” Flake tries to squeeze past Toby and Byers, but the guys form a human wall with their bodies.

“No, we won't.” Toby's water-blue eyes remain unwaveringly fixed on the owner. They're all here because of me, I realize, and I'm so touched that I could cry. At least I mean something to them.

“Emma is our good luck charm!” one of the guys from the back calls out.

“Yes, you can't possibly fire her. Especially now when the playoffs are starting. We need her,” Byers adds.

“Well, if your charm is so valuable, then you'll have to find another one,” Flake responds sternly. “I won't tolerate drug dealers under my roof.”

“If that's the case, you'll have to look for a new winger,” a voice interjects, sending shivers down my spine. My heart catches fire. Can it really be? Is he here? I watch as the rows of players part to let Caleb through. Indeed, he's come. I can hardly believe it. Does that mean he didn't actually leave me? I would love to run to him and throw myself into his arms. But I hold back. His gaze briefly meets mine before it travels down to the plastic bag in my hand.

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