Page 163 of Face Off
“Am I in trouble?” I mumble, and there’s a pressure behind my eyes that wasn’t there before. “I’m sorry.”
“Maverick,” he says gently, and I look up at him. He’s smiling now, and I’m so fucking confused. “You’re not in trouble.”
“I’m not?”
“No. There’s no precedent for this, and to be honest, I was waiting for it to happen. You push each other to be better, and your relationship on the ice probably mirrors what’s going on off the ice as well. It’s exactly what you’d want in a partner, and I’d never send her away because of your feelings. I want to make myself very clear that this doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
“Okay.” I run my hand through my hair and try to act like I’m composed. Calm, cool, and collected. “Speaking from a captain’s perspective, you have to do what’s best for the team, Coach. You’re not in charge of what happens behind closed doors. If you think this trade is something we need to seriously pursue, you have my support.”
I’d never stand in the way of Emmy’s career. She’s been worried about what her role on the team might look like when Finn gets back next season, and Toronto would be a guaranteed thing for her.
More money. More opportunities for endorsement deals. A chance to help her dad fix up his house to make it more accessible.
I’d be an idiot to even consider asking Coach to let her stay.
“I know how difficult that must be for you to say, and I appreciate the support.” Coach pinches the bridge of his nose. “This would be a lot easier if we were talking about fantasy drafts, not people we care about.”
“You have a fantasy team?” I ask, and he grins.
“I do. I pick you first every time.”
“Shucks, man.” I put my hand over my chest, and the tension I’m feeling loosens half a degree. “You’re too good to me.”
“I need to mull all of this over. I need to look at lines and who would fill that other roster spot we’d lose. There are a couple AHL guys who could get us through the season, but that’s a risk in itself. I’ll let you know what I’m leaning toward in forty-eight hours.”
“That’s fine.” I bob my head and wring my hands together. “Can I ask a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Can I be the one to tell Emmy there might be something in the works? She’s someone who likes to move around, but DC is a place she’d really like to stay. I don’t want her caught off guard.”
“You can tell her.” Coach smiles again, and he reaches across the desk to shake my hand. “You’re a good man, Maverick. It’s an honor to be your friend and watch you grow up.”
He might think I’m a good man, but right now, I feel like I’m about to be the asshole of the year.
FORTY-SEVEN
MAVERICK
Me
Are you guys free?
Plant Daddy Reid
Yeah
Daddy Dallas
I am.
Hudson
Just left the weight room. What’s up?
Me
I need help.
