Page 240 of Pucking Around

“Oh, they’re not the only ones threatening to leave the team,” he replies with a huff. “I already told you, Price. I’ve got half a dozen more letters echoing a similar threat—Novikov, Sullivan, Langley, Morrow, Gerard. How the hell am I supposed to replace my entire starting lineup? You tell me.”

“I’ll…talk to them,” I say, still shaking my head. “This isn’t how I wanted this to go, sir. This isn’t right. This isn’t how I wanted to earn back my place on the Rays—with threats and avarice and—”

“Friendship,” he corrects. “Concern, outrage. That’s what all this is, Price,” he says, holding up the thick stack of files. “This is what teamwork looks like. This is what respect looks like. These are the files of someone who is honorable, someone who engenders loyalty. These men are ready to burn down the Rays for you, and I’m not just talking about Compton and Kinnunen.”

I’m crying again, trying to hold myself together and failing miserably.

“When my whole team is telling me something, it behooves me as their manager to listen. And what they’re telling me is that they like you, Price. They trust you. They want you on this team. You can’t buy loyalty like this,” he says, tapping the top of the files. “You’ve earned a second chance. I’m here to see that you get it.”

“Sir—”

“So, here’s my deal,” he says over me. “Finish out one more week of suspension without pay so Coach Johnson is satisfied. He needs to see that actions have consequences. So do the players. Set the example and do your time in the penalty box without complaint.”

“Yes, sir,” I murmur, nodding my head.

“Good.” He’s quiet for a moment before adding, “Then I want you to come back and finish out the rest of your fellowship.”

I gasp, looking up. “Sir—”

“Let me finish, Price,” he says, raising his hand. “This isn’t official yet, but the Rays are parting ways with Doctor Avery. As I said, when my team talks, I listen. They’ve spoken in one clear voice. Avery is out. That means I have a hole in my roster. I’m going to move that the board of directors approve the creation of three new PT positions—director and two assistant directors. One assistant will work exclusively with our injured players. The other will be a joint hire with the strength and conditioning team.”

I nod, not sure what I’m supposed to say. He’s dangling something that is starting to look decidedly like a carrot. But I’m afraid to trust it, afraid to hope.

“Consider your fellowship a trial period, Price,” he goes on. “Keep your nose clean. No more going rogue. No more pissing off Coach Johnson. And for the love of god, no more falling in love with any more of my Rays. At the end of the fellowship, you can take your pick of the assistant director positions.”

All the air leaves my chest in a huff. “Sir, I don’t—” I shake my head.

“You say ‘thank you,’ Price,” he teases. “And you say, ‘Yes, Mark, I accept.’ Because if I have to go over to those guys and tell them I couldn’t close the deal with you, I’m legitimately concerned for my safety. You’re saving my life with your answer, Price. Say ‘yes,’ and we can all leave here happy.”

“All?” I say, confused by his phrasing.

“Yeah, your three demons have been haunting the corner of the restaurant for the last five minutes,” he adds, pointing over my shoulder.

I spin around, eyes wide, to see Jake, Caleb, and Ilmari sitting at a table at the far corner of the room, watching us like hawks. And they’re not alone. Seated next to Ilmari is a curvaceous woman with a head of fiery auburn curls twisted up in a messy bun. Her red-painted lips split into a grin as she smiles and waves. Tess is here.

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Before I can think to leave my chair, my guys are already up and moving this way. All eyes in the restaurant watch them approach. They’re hard to miss, making the space between the tables their own sporty GQ runway.

Mr. Talbot and I stand.

“I should have requested a bigger table,” he says in greeting, shaking Jake’s hand.

“We can’t stay,” Jake replies. “Got a game to play, remember?”

Ilmari has eyes only for me, wrapping me in his arms. I fight the urge to cry all over again as I breathe in deep, my face pressed to his chest. He’s doing the same, his large hand stroking down the back of my hair as he rests his face at my temple.

He murmurs softly in Finnish things I don’t understand, but I feel. Then he cups my cheek, searching my eyes. “You are well?”

I nod, too overcome for words just yet.

“It’s like I told you guys back in Jax,” Talbot says at the guys. “I’m a firm believer in second chances when they’re earned. Doctor Price has clearly earned the team’s trust and their loyalty. They want her on this team, so I want the same. I want my team happy and healthy and whole.”

“He’s going to let me finish my fellowship,” I say, finding my voice at last.

“Oh, that’s so great, baby,” Jake says, leaning in to kiss me while I’m still in Ilmari’s arms. “The guys are gonna be jazzed. They really came through this week—”

“Yeah, and now I need you to call the dogs off,” Talbot warns. “Spread the word far and wide: Doctor Price is still a Ray. She’ll be back on the job in time for our trip out to Texas.”

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