Page 163 of The Waiting Game

Casey frowned. “Boys, I’m not here to make you feel worse. None of us are happy about the outcome. And, yes, what Sutton did was uncalled for. It’s bullshit he didn’t get a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. But either the ref didn’t hear him or he didn’t want to hear him. You had one another’s backs out there and I respect that about this team, but not in OT in a game-deciding series in the playoffs.”

He looked around the room. “This isn’t how we wanted to be eliminated. But what’s done is done. The media will be in here shortly and they’re going to want some answers. I’m telling them that for personal reasons, Brewer and Hale will not be speaking to the media. Fowler, confer with Kate before you say anything so we’re all on the same page.”

Jonah protested. “I should—”

“No.” Casey shook his head. “Absolutely fucking not. You’re in no place for it tonight. I’m putting my foot down.”

A scowl creased his forehead, his gaze so ferocious that it made Jonah subside. There would be no changing his mind.

“Come walk with me for a minute, Brewer,” Casey said with a jerk of his head.

Jonah nodded. He was still in most of his gear as he followed his coach out the door and into a nearby empty room.

“I’m sorry, Casey,” Jonah said when they were alone.

Casey nodded. “I know that, Brewer. And I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have let you play.”

“But I told you I could handle it.”

Casey sighed and rifled a hand through his hair. “I’m not playing the blame game with you. It was my job to determine if you were in a place where you could handle this.”

“Yeah, but I—”

“We can talk more about it during locker cleanout. For now, focus on taking care of yourself and your family.”

“Thanks, Casey.”

Casey nodded, then offered Jonah a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before he stepped into the hallway.

Jonah deflated, sinking back to rest against the nearby table. He should get up and shower before the media arrived but his feet were too heavy to move.

“Hey, you okay?”

Jonah glanced up to see Dustin standing in the doorway, forehead creased with worry.

Jonah managed a listless shrug.

“Yeah, tough one, huh?”

Jonah let out a choked noise. That was putting it mildly.

“How’s Ji-min doing?”

“I don’t know anything since the last update from Kate,” Jonah muttered.

“Why don’t you call?”

“Should I? I want to talk to her but it’s so late …”

“At the very least you should be able to speak to the nurse on her floor.”

“True. I … I don’t have my phone though. I think Felix still does.”

Dustin gave him a long, searching look. “Would you like me to get it for you?”

Jonah nodded. “Please.”

He needed to talk to Felix but not right now. Not when everything was so raw. Not when he couldn’t be sure that he wouldn’t make things worse between them.

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