Page 143 of Check & Chase
In the team meeting room, most of the guys are already gathered, an unusual tension in the air. No one’s joking around. All eyes turn to me when I enter.
Coach enters, followed by Mr. Vaughn and the team’s general manager, Mr. Kingsley. That’s when I know this is serious.
“Thanks for coming in on short notice,” Coach begins, his voice unusually somber. “As most of you are aware, we’ve been dealing with some off-ice issues involving one of our medical staff members and a player.”
Every eye in the room shifts to me briefly.
“The situation has escalated with the league’s ethics commission launching a formal investigation. While we believe this will ultimately be resolved favorably, the timing couldn’t be worse.”
He pauses, exchanging a look with Kingsley that sends a cold shiver down my spine.
“In light of these circumstances,” Kingsley says, taking over, “we’ve made a difficult decision. Mitchell, you’re being placed on voluntary leave during the upcoming road trip.”
“Voluntary leave?” I repeat.
“A cooling-off period. Time for the initial investigation to proceed without additional incidents. You’ll rejoin the team when we return to Pinewood.”
“So I’m being benched for dating someone.”
“For creating a public spectacle that’s becoming a distraction to the team,” Kingsley corrects, his tone hardening. “Your confrontation with Carina Reed, your kiss cam stunt, your growing reputation for off-ice drama—that becomes the team’s business when it affects our image and performance.”
I want to argue, but recognize the futility. They’ve already made their decision.
“Fine. Voluntary leave. For how long?”
“The road trip is seven days,” Coach explains, looking genuinely regretful. “Use the time wisely, Mitchell. Get your stuff in order.”
Seven days off the ice. Seven days watching from home while my team plays without me.
By the time I reach my car, I know what I have to do. The clarity is terrifying but absolute.
Emma is waiting when I return home, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern as she reads my face. “What happened?”
“I’ve been put on ‘voluntary leave’ for the road trip. Seven days off the team, effective immediately.”
“What?” She stands, shock and anger warring on her face. “They can’t do that!”
“They can, and they did. Apparently I’m a ‘distraction’ and need to ‘get my stuff in order.’”
She sits beside me, taking my hand. “This is my fault. If we hadn’t gotten involved…”
“Don’t blame yourself for this. The only person atfault is Carina.”
“What are we going to do?” she asks, her voice small.
I look at her, really look at her, memorizing every detail of her face. “I think we need to take a break.”
She stiffens beside me. “What?”
“Not for real. Just publicly. Until the investigation is over, until you’re reinstated. We need to give them what they want—distance, professionalism, no distractions.”
“You want to pretend we’re not together?” Her voice rises. “After everything we’ve been through?”
“I want to protect your career. And right now, our relationship is threatening that.”
“So I’m just supposed to what? Move out? Ignore you? Pretend the last few months never happened?”
“Just temporarily. Just until the investigation clears you. Then we can be together openly again.”
