Page 64 of Offside for Christmas
Coach Davis closed the door behind him, his weathered face apologetic. "Ellie, I need to talk to you. To both of you, actually."
"Okay..." Ellie exchanged a glance with Cole.
"The board has made a decision. They're bringing in another physical therapist. From Boston. He's specialized in sports injuries, works with the Bruins organization." Coach's words came out reluctant. "He'll be here for a couple weeks, maybe through January."
Ellie felt like she'd been punched. "What? But I—Coach, I was just about to clear Cole. His shoulder is perfect. He can be on the ice in a few days. He can play in the home game Saturday."
"I know, Ellie. I know you've done incredible work—"
"Then why?" Her voice cracked. "You didn't even warn me. You didn't even give me a chance to—"
"I didn't know until this morning." Coach looked genuinely pained. "The board made the call yesterday. They want Cole back on the ice as fast as possible, and they think bringing in someone with more high-level experience—"
"High-level experience?" Ellie's voice went sharp. "I went to one of the best PT programs in the country. I've worked with professional athletes. I've spent weeks getting Cole's shoulder back to full strength. And now they're bringing in someone else to take credit for my work?"
"Ellie, you're talented. You know I love your work. But this is above me. The board decided."
Cole stepped forward, his face dark. "This is bullshit, Coach. Ellie's the reason my shoulder is healing properly. She's been perfect. I don't need some hotshot from Boston—"
"It's not up to me," Coach said firmly. "Or you. The board wants results, and they want them now."
Ellie straightened her back, forcing herself to stay professional even though she wanted to scream. "So when does this hotshot arrive?"
As if on cue, the door swung open with more force than necessary, and a voice boomed through the training room.
"Hi, folks! Hope I'm not interrupting!"
A man strode in—tall, absurdly handsome in that polished, over-confident way, wearing expensive athletic gear with a Boston Bruins logo and carrying what looked like a designer PT bag.
"Derek Matthews." He stuck out his hand to Coach Davis first, then Cole, barely glancing at Ellie. "Fresh off the plane from Boston. Traffic through this town was a nightmare—I mean, what's with all the Christmas decorations? It's like Santa threw up everywhere. Cute in a kitschy small-town way, I guess, but a bit much, don't you think?"
Ellie's jaw tightened. Cole looked like he wanted to punch something.
Derek finally turned to Ellie, giving her a once-over that made her skin crawl. "And you must be the local PT. Ellie, right? Coach filled me in. Thanks for keeping things afloat until I could get here. I'll take it from here."
"Excuse me?" Ellie's voice was ice.
"Don't worry, you can stay for the transition, get me up to speed on what you've been doing." Derek was already setting his bag down, pulling out equipment like he owned the place. "Though from what I hear, we're behind schedule getting this guy back on the ice, so we'll need to accelerate the protocol. I've worked with the Bruins, the Maple Leafs—I know what it takes to get athletes back to peak performance."
"Cole's shoulder is at peak performance," Ellie said through gritted teeth. "I was about to clear him."
"Well, let's not rush things." Derek's smile was patronizing. "Sometimes local practitioners don't have the experience to recognize subtle weaknesses. No offense, but there's a reason the board called me in."
Cole's voice was low and dangerous. "I'm not working with you."
Derek turned to him, all easy confidence. "Easy there, big guy. I'm here to help you. Trust me, in two weeks you'll be thanking me."
"I said I'm not working with you." Cole looked at Coach Davis. "Ellie's my PT. She's been perfect. I don't need anyone else."
Coach's expression hardened. "Cole, if you want your next paycheck, you'll work with whoever the board assigns you."
"Coach—" Ellie started.
"I'm sorry, Ellie. I really am. But this is how it is."
Cole looked ready to walk out. His hands were clenched into fists, his jaw tight with fury.
Ellie took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm even though everything in her wanted to scream. "It's fine."
