Page 155 of Unraveling Rain
“Did she ever press charges?” Coach asks.
I shake my head. “She was eighteen. Scared. Embarrassed. She tried to move on. But after Dennis reached out to me, she filed a report.”
Erik lets out a breath, glancing at Coach. “Well, this is not what we were expecting to hear.”
“I’m glad you didn’t engage,” Coach says. “That would have put us in a tough spot.”
“Now that we know what happened,” Erik adds, “we’re behind you. I’ll contact PR—we’ll need to have a statement in case this goes public.”
I nod, then hesitate. “If it does, I’d prefer that you keep Rain’s name out of the statement. I don’t want her dragged into this any more than necessary.”
They share a look. I brace for pushback. If they refuse, I’ll walk away from this team. I won’t let Rain become collateral damage.
“We can do that,” Erik says. “The statement will say we’re not disclosing names at this time.”
I exhale through my nose.
“I appreciate all of your support,” I say, standing to shake their hands. “It means a lot.”
Knowing the team has my back lifts a weight off my shoulders.
“So, let me get this straight,” Cody says, his tone a mix of disbelief and anger. “That asshole assaulted Rain, and now—ten years later—he’s popping back up like it was nothing?”
We’re in the locker room, the guys half-dressed, gathering their things, energy buzzing from our practice. I’d pulled everyone aside before training ended. Now that management’s aware and offering support, I wanted to let the guys know—just in case Dennis tries anything else or the media gets wind of it.
“Yup,” I say simply. “That’s exactly it.”
The room erupts in a chorus of curses.
“Good thing we play Boston in three weeks,” Nico mutters, dark and low. “And this time, it’s on home ice.”
Heads start to nod. They all know what he means. No one has to spell it out.
“No mercy,” Nico shouts.
The chants build as everyone joins in: “No mercy!”
I grin as I make my way around the locker room, fist-bumping the guys, gratitude burning through me.
With everything going on, I’d completely forgotten we’re playing Boston right after Thanksgiving.
This year, the holiday needs to be more than a celebration.
It needs to be a reminder—to Rain and me—that what we’re building can’t be broken.
Come hell or high water, Dennis won’t take our peace.
He doesn’t get to take anything else from her.
That chapter ends now.
Chapter 38
Rain
I’ve been trying to move on with my life while I wait—still—for something to happen with Dennis.
I’ve thrown myself into the diner and into developing new recipes to sell here in Raleigh.
