Page 162 of Face Off
“Who else?”
“Finn when he’s healthy again, and a first round draft pick.”
They’re basically giving Harper away, and it’s a steal of a deal.
Every manager in the league would take it in a heartbeat, and it feels like this meeting is more of a courtesy than asking for my opinion.
“Fuck. Okay. What—” I swallow, but that lump in my throat won’t go away. “How are you feeling about it?”
“I’m torn. We have something really good going on right now. Is it worth blowing it up to take a chance on a maybe? On something that looks good on paper but might not be the best thing long term?”
“Respectfully, Coach, it’s a maybe who has wontwofucking Stanley Cups.”
“We can get there with this team. I know we can. I’ve seen the improvements we’ve made, and I know if we keep our core players together, we’re only going to get better. But who’s to say an offer won’t come up for someone else in the offseason and they’ll run with it? Money talks, and teams have a lot of cap space to work with this summer. Hell, I’m surprised you haven’t run. Losing is really fucking hard. This season is better, but coming up short sucks.”
I’m not surprised I’ve stayed.
This team has become my family. The brothers I never had and the attention from authority figures I’ve always craved. I’d never fucking quit on them, even when we’re in the depths of hell.
With the Stars, I’m not just the number on my back or a piece to move around. I’mMaverick, just like Hudson is Hudson and Emmy is Emmy.
Fuck.
Emmy.
“I think we need to decide if the short-term benefits outweigh the long-term goals,” I say, and my voice cracks. “Why do they want to get rid of him? Is something happening behind the scenes that the media hasn’t gotten a hold of yet?”
“Not that I’ve heard. Toronto knows Harper is looking for a big contract, and they don’t have the resources to give him what he wants. They also see the appeal of Emmy with her size and speed. Finn could be the best player this decade once he’s healthy. He’s young. He’s smart. If he’s on your team, you’re getting at least ten more wins a year. They’d recoup the loss of their star while adding more versatile players to their roster.”
“I don’t know what to say, Coach. Six months ago, it would’ve been a fuck yeah, and I wouldn’t have wasted another breath. But today? Today I really want to say no.”
Coach stares at me, and he looks tired. Like the weight of the world sits on his shoulders, and you couldn’t pay me to have his job.
“I’m going to ask you something. Man to man. Brody to Maverick, like we’re shooting the shit at a bar, not coach to player. And I want you to answer honestly.”
I nod, already knowing what’s coming.
“Are you and Emmy involved?”
I finally take a real breath, and his question makes me want to burst out laughing.
Involved seems like the smallest word in the dictionary to define what we are.
Is that the way to describe the person I look forward to seeing every day? Is it the word to use to talk about the woman whomakes me smile even when I’m tired and sore and angry after a bad game? Is it the way to tell people that when I look at her, I see the sun and the moon and all the fucking stars?
It seems so insignificant, because what I feel for her is bigger than the sky. The whole fucking planet. You could go all the way to outer space and there still wouldn’t be enough ways to show her much I adore her.
But I also know my role as captain.
The job I’m paid to do and people rely on me for.
I’ve never let my personal feelings come before my professional ones, butfuckit’s hard when it hits so close to home.
“Yes.” I clear my throat. “We’re involved and…” I shrug and stare at the corner of his desk. There’s a piece of wood missing, and I wonder where it ended up. “I care about her. A lot.”
Coach hangs his head. It feels like I’ve disappointed him, and it tastes bitter on my tongue.
“I thought so. I noticed the chemistry between you two has amped up, but I didn’t want to assume anything. It’s been getting a little more obvious lately, though, and that game against the Wildebeests sealed the deal. I had to ask.”
