Page 96 of Pucking the Team

“Alex came to me with evidence proving that Alison was behind the leaked photos,” Vincent continues, his jaw clenching with barely contained anger. “Her actions were malicious and completely against the values of our organization. Rest assured, her employment with us has been terminated, effective immediately.”

Relief washes over me like a tidal wave, and I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. My name has been cleared. I take a shaky breath, trying to compose myself.

“Thank you, Mr. Dale,” I manage to say, my voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

Vincent nods, his expression softening. “Emma, I respect why you didn’t want to tell me that you were working here. You know that I loved your father, very much. We fought, of course.” He laughs.

I laugh too, thinking about some of the battles I used to overhear between them over player trades and team strategy. Vincent is a bulldog, but my dad had a strong personality too, and could more than hold his own. More than once, I heard my dad threaten to quit on him. But the next day, they’d always be back to having a beer together, inseparable buddies.

“When he died,” Vincent starts, but then starts to get emotional. He looks away from me and clears his throat. “When he died, I promised myself that I would always help you if you needed it. But I understand why you wouldn’t want my help. Why you’d want to try to make it here on your own, and not rely on your dad’s reputation or connections.”

I nod, licking my lips. “I wasn’t trying to sneak around, Mr. Dale?—”

He cuts me off. “Please, Emma, call me Vincent.”

I nod again, and keep speaking, eager to make him understand. “I don’t want you to feel like I was deceiving you by not letting you know that I worked here. I just love this place so much. The Blizzards are the only home I’ve ever known. All I wanted, my whole life, was to come back here and be a part of this organization. And I didn’t want anyone to have an opportunity to say I didn’t deserve my spot here.”

Vincent lets out a deep sigh. “Well, Emma, I think anyone would agree that you’ve more than earned your spot here. Aside from Alison, you’ve had great reviews from colleagues, and your work on our social channels has higher engagement than we ever could’ve imagined, or so I’ve been told. If you want it, we would reinstate you in your position effective immediately.”

My whole system is flooded with relief, but his phrasing gives me pause. “If I want it? Of course I want my job back.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Or, alternatively, you could take the new position we’re opening up as an assistant video coach.”

My jaw drops open in shock. “Assistant video coach? Seriously?” I ask, hardly daring to believe it.

Vincent nods, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Alex came to me with the idea. He says you have a brilliant hockey mind and an uncanny ability to break down tape and identify areas for improvement. He thinks you could be an invaluable asset to the coaching staff. He showed me some of your tape, and I agree, you have a natural aptitude for this work.”

“I…I don’t know what to say,” I stammer, my mind reeling. Of course this is a dream job for me, but I meant it when I told Alex previously that I wasn’t sure about it. I really don’t want people to think I was given the job just because of my family.

As if reading my mind, Vincent says, “You might get people who lobby accusations of nepotism at you. Honestly, Emma, it’s true that I agreed to look at your tape because of my relationship with your dad. I probably would not have taken Alex seriously otherwise. But I would never offer someone a coaching position on my team unless I truly believed in them.”

I look up at him, somewhat dumbfounded. “So it wouldn’t bother you, then? If people said they thought you were favoring me or being unfair?”

Vincent shrugs. “Fuck ’em. Do you think we’d be able to operate as an organization if we listened to every grumbling fan? You gotta make a choice, believe that it’s the best one you can make, and go with it. Otherwise, you’ll never accomplish anything. That’s true for jobs, life, sports, love, everything.”

I’m stunned, my mind reeling with the implications of this unexpected offer. The chance to work directly with the coaching staff, to have a true impact on the team’s success…it’s a dream come real.

And what Vincent said is true. I decided not to let other people’s opinions stop me when I thought I was falling for four different men. It’s been the best choice imaginable, the one that has given me a family again.

I refuse to cave to judgment when it comes to my love life. So why would I let it impact the decisions I make with my career?

“What do you say, Emma?” Vincent asks.

Tears of joy and gratitude threaten to spill down my cheeks. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

“Yes,” I say, my voice strong and clear. “I accept the assistant video coach position. Thank you for believing in me, Vincent. I won’t let you down.”

Vincent stands, extending his hand across the desk. “Welcome to the coaching staff, Emma. I have a feeling you’re going to do great things here.”

After we shake hands, I practically float out of Vincent’s office, my heart soaring with elation. I can’t wait to share the incredible news with my guys. As I pull out my phone to call them, a text from Slade catches my eye.

It’s an address I don’t recognize, somewhere in Logan Square. The message accompanying it says, “Meet us here.”

Curiosity piqued, I head back out to the parking lot and get into my car, setting the GPS. After driving for a while, I eventually reach a beautiful greystone house, its facade adorned with intricate stonework and a wrought-iron fence. I park and step out onto the sidewalk, my stomach twisting with anticipation.

I approach the imposing wooden front door, wondering what awaits me inside. Knowing Slade, it could be anything from a romantic candlelit dinner to a wild party with the entire team.

But whatever it is, I know it will be unforgettable.

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