Page 64 of The Ex Puck Bunny
“I haven’t been completely honest with you or the NHL organization.” I proceed to tell him about living with Type 1 Diabetes, how it doesn’t affect my game, and that I’m sorry for not informing him or anyone else over the years.
Badaszek nods and is quiet for a long moment. “My wife Katherine had Type 2. I commend you for playing at this level with all the extra things involved. For some people, it can be a lot.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t know much different.” I tell him that I was diagnosed as a kid, so I’ve been living with this most of my life.
His eyes get a focus to them that reminds me of when he’s reading a game—I don’t necessarily aspire to be a coach, but I haven’t only learned things from shadowing Ted Powell.
“You don’t want to be seen as different,” he says in a tone that’s more fatherly than it is the booming and authoritative one he usually uses.
My eyes suddenly burn behind my glasses. “Yes, sir.”
“We have to report this to the team medic. However, I’ll leave it up to you whether anyone else knows.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He nods. “Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?”
What? That I’m in love with my best friend’s sister? That doesn’t seem like coach conversation content.
“Actually, yes.” Swallowing, but knowing Badaszek will have my back, I come clean about everything that happened with Lucan, my ex, and the performance-enhancing drugs.
He listens carefully, his face neutral, but his nostrils flare a few times in a way that tells me Badaszek values honesty and fairness above all.
“I chose to keep my secret over doing what’s right for the NHL. Again, I’m sorry.” I’m not exactly sure if there will be penalties, but he also knows that I tried to raise this subject with the officials.
“We all make mistakes. I trust that won’t happen again.”
“No, sir. It won’t. You have my word.”
We talk for another minute and then Cara notifies him about a conference call. I get up to leave.
Badaszek calls, “Federer, great job with the video content. I’d tell you to keep it up but know you have help. Arsenault tipped me off. She’d like to hire Rice as the official social media manager if that would work for you.”
While in the office, I haven’t exactly been frowning, but right now I beam a smile. “Really? That would be great. Heidi would love that.”
“Just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t conflict—sometimes people want to keep business and family separate.”
“Oh, we’re not?—”
He arches an eyebrow.
“I mean, she’s not my sister.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
“I watched the ‘Take a Chance on Me’ duet. Katherine liked ABBA. The way you looked at her blew up the internet. Ithought I was going to have to make you work to get you with the program. This one was surprisingly easy.”
I flash a smile, not sure what he means, but maybe it’s best not to prolong this conversation.
After I talk to Cara for a few minutes and give her Heidi’s contact info, I can’t stop thinking about what Badaszek said about me and Heidi.
There aren’t puck bunnies at games, at least not like for the Generals, and definitely not the fangirls for the Lions or the Carolina Storm. The Knights are family-oriented. Nearly everyone is hitched.
I tip my head in question. Is Coach a covert matchmaker? Is his master plan for his players to have families so he can ensure the next generation of hockey superstars? I give my head a little shake. That’s as outrageous as him Mr. Miyagi-ing me.
Probably.
