I still can’t believe the team brought in some dude with clearly no experience to take care of PR for a major tournament. Lili was the best and it came across in her work. The stuff she posted was upbeat and the guys all responded well to her. This dude they brought is dry and boring.
My cell rings as I’m working out in the hotel gym. It’s my brother. I know he tried to speak to Coach Darren to allow me to play, but Coach Darren told him he couldn’t get involved in Coach Ramirez’s family business. We both thought my career hit a dead end when Coach Ramirez called me himself and told me to be ready to load the bus with the team. I took that to mean it was Lili who swayed him. Only I wouldn’t know because she can’t talk to me. My head is swimming with uncertainties when I answer my brother’s call.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
I know he’s referring to last night’s game. He had a game himself out in Colorado last night so I know he couldn’t watch live. He probably caught the game footage this morning.
“I wish I knew,” I sulk. Then I turn around to make sure I’m alone. “How can he do that? Just change my line without talking to me about it first.”
“He can do whatever the hell he wants,” Declan answers. “Do you know what happened yet?” he asks, referring to the late phone call I got from Coach Ramirez telling me to load the bus with the guys.
“It had to have been Lili. I just wish I knew what kind of deal she made with him. She isn’t here doing PR for the team. Everything just feels so off, but she did text me and say I need to focus on the tournament. That we can talk when it’s over,” I explain.
“That sounds kind of promising. I mean, she clearly got her father to let you play. She must have promised him she’d stay away from you,” Declan says.
“That’s a problem, Dec. I don’t want her to stay away. She makes me feel good, happy. Seeing her travelling with us. Making her videos. Having her close made me feel good, and without her here it feels. . .I don’t even know. Like something important is missing.”
“Look, Bro, I get it. Believe me, I know what it’s like to fall in love with someone who’s off-limits. She said she’ll talk to you after the tournament but for now, I need you to keep your head in the game. If you and Lili are meant to be together, it will happen. It’s better you secure a good spot in the draft. The teams are all watching. We need you to be a first-round pick. That’s the plan,” Declan reminds me. My brother has worked so hard for so much of his life, ensuring I succeed, I don’t want to let him down. Hell, I don’t want to let myself down.
“I know you’re right.” I squeeze my eyes shut, garnering strength I don’t feel like I have. “I’m going to go talk to Coach Ramirez. I need to know what his plans are and he needs to know I’m here to win,” I say. When I say the words, they breathe strength inside me I know I will need to face my coach because it isn’t only the championship I want to win but his daughter’s heart.
“That’s the spirit. Go find him and let me know what happens. I’ll be rooting for you,” he says, and his words make my chest expand.
“Thanks, Dec. I’ll be in touch.”
I end the call and begin to walk all over the hotel, looking for Coach Ramirez. I find him in the lobby bar drinking a soda with Coach Darren.
“Sir, may I have a moment?” I ask as I approach my coaches.
Coach Ramirez nods. “Have a seat.”
Coach Darren excuses himself.
“Sir, I was wondering why you changed my line,” I say to him.
“I didn’t change your line, I was trying something,” he replies.
“I don’t understand,” I reply to him.
He leans over the table and begins to twiddle his thumbs. “In order for me to be effective as your coach, you need to listen to me. Trust me. There has clearly been a breach of trust between us though.” He pauses.
“Sir, I’m very sorry about Lili. I should have said something when we returned from break,” I say to him.
“My daughter already updated me on the fact you two met in Hawaii. I can appreciate you both didn’t know the connection that was shared,” he says.
“I give you my word I had no clue,” I confirm.
He nods. “I asked you to watch out for her, knowing you weren’t like the other players. I trusted you and you broke that trust. Now that you broke the trust on your terms, you in turn don’t trust my decisions. Do you understand what I’m saying?” He raises his brows.
“I do, sir.” I bow my head. “What I did was wrong. I should have come to you.”
“You shouldn’t have been carrying on with my daughter, of all people, behind my back,” he spits.
“You are one-hundred-percent in the right here, sir. I screwed up, but from the moment I saw your daughter I knew she was different. I’ve never felt this way before. I think she and I can be something special together,” I clarify to him.
“What is that supposed to mean?” he bites back. “You’re going to draft in June. Where will that leave Lili?”
“I want her in my life, sir. I’m falling in love with her. Just because I’m drafting doesn’t mean I want what we have to end,” I explain to him.
“Look, Logan. I know you’re a good kid. I know you don’t get around and you’re probably being straight with me, but you’ve never had a relationship before. Do you know what kind of work and commitment that takes?”
I deflate. “I’m very aware I don’t have a reputation with women,” I say bitterly. I would think he would find that trait admirable. “It doesn’t mean I don’t know what I want or how I feel. I know my background is messed up and I didn’t have a proper family life growing up, but I know what I want. I know how I feel,” I assure him.
He sighs. “You’ve worked hard to get where you are. You need to stay focused now. I told Lili not to contact you until the tournament is over. I suggest you do the same with her. Love is complicated and messes with your head. Right now, I need a hundred and twenty percent from you. Yesterday I was testing you and you didn’t fight me back. It shows me you’re willing to listen to me. Lili has some time to make up in school, and she needs good grades. Her goal is to do well and get into Harvard. That’s what she’s worked hard for. Do you think she needs a boyfriend who is going to be travelling all over the country? Waking up in a different state every couple of days. She’ll be lonely. She needs someone who will be there for her every night. You can’t do that for her, son. Forget my daughter. Let’s go after the championship. You’ll be back on first line tomorrow. I need you to bring it on the ice, not just for the team but for yourself. Your future,” he says.
I’m fighting a losing battle with this man, and he isn’t wrong. Lili would be lonely when I’m on the road. I also don’t know which team I’ll end up playing for. It could be across the country or even Canada. I know Lili spoke to me about maybe changing her major and not becoming a lawyer, but she clearly didn’t share that sentiment with her father. Maybe she is still gunning for Harvard. I sure as hell can’t let her give up on her dreams.