Page 25 of Crossing the Red Line
I’d completedthe photoshoot without issue, as promised, but still hadn’t seen or spoken to Ella since the Sip and Stir.I glanced down at my watch, threw my sweatshirt over my head, and took off toward the boardroom.
Dylan, Knox, and Clay sat with the rest of the team as I walked in and took my seat.Coach Thompkins called this meeting late last night.We’d all got an email from Pamela, the head of PR, telling us to attend.It was mentioned that Guy Larson would attend as well.It was rare that Larson came to any player meeting, and with that information we knew there was an important announcement coming.
“Where the hell have you been?”I asked Clay, as I pulled my chair over closer to the guys.
Clay had been scarce the last few weeks and had been oddly quiet when we’d contacted him.I was worried about him, and so were the other guys, but we didn’t like to push.He was a private guy, and we all knew he’d come around when he was ready.
“None of your concern,” he muttered, flipping through his phone as Dylan and Knox glanced over at him and frowned.
“Okay then.Do you guys know why we’ve been brought in here?I have things I need to do today.”
“Don’t we all,” Knox said, sending off a text message to I assumed was Lorelai.
“Word has it we are getting some new players,” Dylan said, looking up just as Coach Thompkins and Guy Larson entered the room, followed by Pamela.
Everyone stilled as they made their way to the front of the table, placing some papers down in front of them before talking amongst themselves.I couldn’t read the expressions on anyone’s face to know whether it was good news or bad.There were more words exchanged, and then they turned their attention to all of us.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” Thompkins said, filling the glass in front of him with water.“Good practice this morning.”
The entire team sat there, quietly, waiting to find out exactly what was going on.
“We won’t keep you in suspense any longer.As you know, we’ve been short of a couple of players.Stanton and Whittaker are both out as of last month, which means we’ve been looking for new players.After some crazy negotiations, we want to announce to you the players that will join the Dominators.”
I looked at my teammates as we sat there waiting for the names of the players.
“The players are Colton Fox and Levi Anderson.”
My head jerked up after the announcement of our new team mates.While Levi Anderson was a solid player coming from the New York Predators and would be an amazing addition to the Dominators, Colton Fox was another story.He was hell on skates, a skilled player but a bad boy, both on and off the ice, with an extensive track record to prove it.No doubt the Boston Enforcers saw an opportunity to rid themselves of a player with a troublemaker attitude.
I glanced over at Dylan, Knox, and Clay, each of us saying with our eyes what someone should have said to Larson with this decision.It was then Pamela leaned over and whispered something to Larson.I watched as he nodded, then looked at each of us.
“I know you are probably worried about Colton Fox bringing a bad rap to the team, but rest assured, he’s cleaned up his act.”
I glanced at the boys, who just shook their heads.Colton Fox had done nothing of the sort.The last game he played should have proved that, but apparently Larson was blind.
“Thompkins, if you have anything else to add, I’d take this opportunity now, otherwise let them head home and get ready to leave tonight.I have to go meet with my daughter.”
At the mention of Ella, I sat up a little.I wondered if she’d told her father she was leaving the team already, or if she was about to do it now.Either way, knowing she was in the building at this moment sent a wave of excitement through me.All that ran through my mind were the things I needed to talk to her about.
I watched as Larson left the room and Thompkins stepped into his place.He stood in front of us, looking at each one of us.Of all days, today was the only day I didn’t want to stay in some blasted meeting.
“Alright, guys, I will not keep you.Why don’t you all head home?Be back here for three, ready to head off for our games in Florida.Oh, and Clark, you’re coming with the team tonight.Got word you’ve been cleared to start playing again.We already have plans in place for this game, so we will keep you as backup.”
I nodded as I glanced at my watch.It was already eleven.If I was going to talk to Ella, make it home to pack and get back to the arena, I’d have to move fast.
“Anybody wanna go get lunch?”Dylan questioned as we all stood up.“I have a craving for The Sushi Garden,” he said, patting his stomach.
“You’ve always got a craving for that,” Clay muttered, “but I’m down.Knox?Lucas?”
“Yep, count me in,” Knox answered.
“I have a meeting I have to attend first with the therapist,” I lied.
“Uh-huh,” Knox and Dylan said in unison, causing Clay to look at them in question.
“He’s working his magic with some chick, which he still hasn’t filled us in about, but we’ll fill you in with the information we have.Perhaps we’ll make some shit up as well.Let’s go.”
I took off down the hall toward the main offices in search of Ella while the guys went for lunch, where there was no doubt in my mind, I’d be the major topic of conversation.
