Page 81 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband
After I hang up, Martinez appears in the doorway, exhaustion clinging to him like a second skin.
"Coach," Jamie calls out. "Please tell me you have good news."
"Depends on your definition of good." Martinez pulls out his phone. "I just got off a conference call with three board members. Harrison's employment status is under formal review as of two hours ago."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning they're not happy about losing a valuable staff member and potentially their star defenseman in the same day. Especially when playoff season starts next month."
"What about Tessa?" I ask.
"They want to meet with both of you tomorrow morning. Eight a.m. sharp."
Tessa looks up sharply. "Both of us?"
"Harrison overplayed his hand. They're questioning whether his management style is creating more problems than it's solving."
My phone buzzes with another call. "Unknown number," but when I answer, the voice is familiar.
"Mr. Kingston? This is David Ashford, board chairman for the Chicago Renegades."
"Yes, sir."
"I understand you have a decision to make tonight regarding Boston."
"Already made it, sir. I'm staying in Chicago."
"Even with the current... complications?"
"Especially. Because of them."
There's a pause. "Mr. Kingston, I'd like you and Dr. Bennett in my office tomorrow morning at eight. We have some things to discuss."
"Dr. Bennett was terminated today, sir."
"Not by the board, she wasn't. Eight a.m., Mr. Kingston. Both of you."
He hangs up before I can respond.
"What was that?" Tessa asks.
"Board chairman. Wants to see us both tomorrow morning."
Jamie whoops. "Dude, that's huge. Board chairman doesn't get involved unless heads are about to roll."
"Whose heads?" Tessa asks nervously.
"Not yours," Zack says confidently. "Harrison's. Has to be."
I check my phone. 11:47 p.m. Thirteen minutes until the Boston deadline.
"I should call them," I say.
"Want privacy?" Jamie offers.
"Nah. You're all family. You should hear this."
I dial the number the Bruins' GM gave me this morning, which feels like a lifetime ago.
