Page 136 of Check & Chase
My phone rings, breaking the moment. I glance at the screen, expecting Donny or Coach. Instead, an unfamiliar number flashes.
“Sorry, I should take this,” I tell Emma, stepping toward the hallway. “Might be about that top-secret hockey business.”
She rolls her eyes but waves me off, turning back to the closet.
I answer the call, moving to the hallway for privacy. “Chase Mitchell speaking.”
“Mr. Mitchell? This is Natalie Winters from the National Hockey League’s ethics commission.”
My stomach drops. The ethics commission only gets involved in serious matters—violations, investigations, the kind of things that can derail careers.
“How can I help you, Ms. Winters?” I ask, keeping my voice calm despite the alarm bells ringing in my head.
“I’m calling to inform you that the commission has received a formal complaint regarding your relationship with a member of the Bears’ medical staff, Emma Anderson.”
The floor seems to shift beneath my feet. “A complaint? On what grounds?”
“Allegations of professional misconduct and favoritism. Given your history with a previous physical therapist at your former organization, the commission is taking this very seriously.”
My blood runs cold. They’re bringing up the scandal from when I was eighteen. The situation that nearly ended my career before it began.
“This is completely different,” I insist, struggling to keep my voice down so Emma won’t hear. “Emma recused herself from my care as soon as our relationship became serious. There’s been no misconduct or favoritism.”
“Those are matters for the investigation to determine. You’ll receive formal documentation within forty-eight hours, and both you and Ms. Anderson will be expected to cooperate fully.”
My mind races, connecting dots. Carina. It has to be. Who else would have the motivation to try to destroy what Emma and I have built?
“Ms. Winters, I believe this complaint may be retaliatory in nature. My ex-girlfriend has been harassing both me and Ms. Anderson—”
“Any context will be considered during the investigation,” she interrupts. “For now, I suggest you consult with your agent and the Bears’ legal team. Good day, Mr. Mitchell.”
The call ends, leaving me standing frozen in the hallway, my perfect evening, my perfect future, suddenly in jeopardy.
“Chase?” Emma calls from the bedroom. “Everything okay?”
I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. Emma has worked so hard for her position with the Bears. Her career means everything to her. And now, because of me, because of us, it’s under threat.
The ring box in my pocket suddenly feels like it weighs a thousand pounds.
“Yeah,” I call back, the lie bitter on my tongue. “Everything’s fine.”
Fuck.
Emma
Chapter Thirty
Something’s wrong with Chase.
He’s been off since last night—distracted during dinner, his kisses mechanical, distant even when he was holding me. At first, I brushed it off as pregame nerves. But even after they won, something remained broken in his smile.
It’s only gotten worse since he left for morning skate. His texts are shorter, less playful. No ridiculous emojis or flirty comments.
Chase:Practice is running long. I’ll see you at the facility later.
I stare at my phone, trying to decode what isn’t being said. The stark difference from his usual stream of messages sends unease crawling up my spine.
“You’re going to burn a hole through that screen,” Maya comments, sliding into the chair across from me at the coffee shop where we’d planned to meet for our usual Saturday morning catch-up.
