Page 121 of Slap Shot Scandal
Not after staying up all night, drafting holding statements, press releases, managing the buzzy onslaught of social media.
And especially not after Weston sidelined me with his declaration this morning.
I love you, Hurricane.
Hearing him say those words left me reeling.
Not because I don’t love him back.
I do, with every fiber of my being. But it all feels so risky, with everything on the line.
His voice echoes through my head asI walk into the chilly conference room. Worried eyes trained on me, waiting for my personal brand of slick PR advice. I take my seat toward the front as Coach Keller commands the podium.
“As you all have most likely heard, Bennett Steele’s benched until the legal charges are sorted and the league decides what action, if any, they’ll be taking. None of that’s under my purview, nor my jurisdiction. I’m here to coach the team and win games. We’ll be resuming business as usual, starting with practice Monday morning. Stay focused on training and stay out of trouble.”
With that, he stalks back to his seat and Prince takes the floor.
“The last twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind.” His eyes scour the room, fast and frantic. Like he’s had three too many cups of coffee. “We’re working on holding things together, clearing Bennett’s name, and making sure justice prevails. Harbor?”
Prince waves me up to the podium and I rise on shaky legs, trying to hide the tremor in my hands.
You don’t have what it takes to be in this world, Harbor. Get out and let the professionals handle it.
I shove that thought down and step up to the podium, clearing my throat. My vision blurs for a terrifying second and I panic. Everyone’s watching, waiting. My dad’s voice screams in my head. Weston’s love swirls around me, hanging in the air.
What if I screw this up? What if this is the moment everyone realizes I’m a fraud and I don’t belong here?
I blink hard. Once, twice.
“Morning.” I glance around the room at the faces of the team I so desperately believe in and want to save.
The team I royally fucked over last night.
By being in that video in the first place. Being a PR consultant who became the scandal instead of managing it.
I can’t meet Weston’s eye. The way he’s gazing at me from across the room, like I hung the damn moon and polished the freaking stars. When we both know that’s so far from the truth it’s comical.
You’re ruining the Hayes name.
Setting my notes on the conference table, I stare straight ahead and deliver the speech I practiced thirty-four times in my hotel room.
“I know this week’s been a lot. From the successful youth clinic to the events of the weekend. There’s been noise, speculation, and a few headlines we didn’t ask for.”
I take a breath, scanning the room. Prince thrums his fingers on the table and Coach Keller’s scowling at me like I’m a wad of gum stuck to the bottom of his sneaker.
“I won’t sugarcoat it. The footage looks bad. But what’s in the video doesn’t tell the whole story, and I have faith the truth will prevail. We’re working with legal to make certain the context is fully understood.
“What I need from all of you right now is simple: silence. Stay focused. Stay professional. Don’t post, don’t share, don’t comment. If the media asks you any questions, your answer is ‘We’re focused on hockey and supporting our teammates.’ Full stop.”
Ford locks eyes with me and I swallow hard over the lump in my throat before continuing.
“No one wants distractions. Least of all me. My job is to protect this team’s reputation. And that hasn’t changed—not after this weekend, not ever. You’ve worked your asses off this off-season. Let’s not let thirty seconds of negative viral video derail months of preparation.”
Someone in the back mutters, “PR spin.”
Just loud enough for me to hear. A few heads nod, and my stomach turns. These are my guys—the ones I’ve been working my ass off to protect—and they’re questioning whether I’m the liability Prince warned me about.
“I was there. I saw what happened. I know things got heated, and I know how fast the internet jumps to conclusions. But we’re not going to play that game. We’re going to control the story—not react to it.”
