Page 80 of The Fine Line
“Not on my watch.”
The words echo between us. I close my eyes. Blow out a breath—long and slow.
And then I answer the call.
ICELINE REPORT
www.icelinereport.com | October 17, 2024
Statement from Texas Storm Head Coach, Jim Barrett:
“I’ve been a part of this league for a long time and have watched how it’s evolved over the years. With the rise of social media, fans have more access to players than ever before, becoming deeply invested not just in the athlete, but in the person behind the jersey. And while that’s been a blessing in many ways, it can also be a curse.
It’s unfortunate that not only one of my players, but also one of our reporters—and my own daughter—have found themselves on the receiving end of that curse.
Though it’s no one’s business but their own—and not my story to tell—I’m proud to confirm that my daughter, Caroline Barrett, and Rhett Sutton are in a loving, committed partnership. Their long-standing friendship, built on trust, shared experiences, and mutual respect, naturally grew into something more.
I resent that I even have to address this, but I’ll say it clearly: Caroline and Rhett’s relationship had no bearing on the decision to name Rhett captain of the Texas Storm following Bennett James’s departure. If anything, it proves Rhett’s strength of character. I would never entrust my team—or my daughter—to someone I didn’t believe in.
Rhett Sutton is a good man with a good heart, laser-focused on leading this team to victory.
And that’s all that needs to be said.”
–Jim Barrett, Head Coach, Texas Storm
twenty
CAROLINE
Las Vegas, NV, USA
We did it.
We agreed to the deal. We completed the contract. We signed the NDA.
Now all that’s left is one final piece of paperwork—and somehow, the universe handed us the perfect setup.
The Storm’s next game was in Las Vegas.
So naturally, here we are. In a little wedding chapel at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday.
My mom is here. You’d figure she’d be just as up in arms over this situation as Dad is. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, she’s beaming. Over the moon.
She wouldn’t say it out loud to me, but I know it’s because she thinks this is the closest chance she has to witnessing something she never thought she’d see in her lifetime.
“My Caroline just isn’t the marrying type,” she’s always said. Not sure when she decided that for me, but I suppose I’ve never given her a reason to believe otherwise.
I’ve dated men. A few of them. But that’s all it’s ever been. A date here, a fun evening there. But never further than that. Not because I didn’t want it, but because it wasn’t my priority. It couldn’t be.
Linda was right. I love hockey. I always have. And I’ve yet to meet a man who makes my heart beat even a fraction as fast as that game does.
I know. Every mother’s dream daughter.
But it’s okay. My mom understands. Mostly.
“This is just such a special day,” she sighs as she fluffs the tulle of my off-white dress. “And this is such a gorgeous dress.”
