Everybody nods.
The worry that I’ve pushed to the back of my mind leaps to the forefront. My gut tightens, but I strip off my gear and head naked to the showers. Scenarios run through my head as I shampoo and scrub, but I talk myself out of being seriously concerned.
I dress in my jeans and Bears hoodie and find Mr. Julian. We go into an unused media room to talk. He grabs a chair and gestures for me to sit, too.
I wait.
“You’re dating Mr. D’Agostino’s daughter,” he finally says.
Fucking fuck.
His tone is neutral so I’m not sure where we’re going with this. “She’s his stepdaughter, but yes.”
He nods slowly. “Did you think that was a good idea?”
“I didn’t know who she was when our relationship started.” That is true. “Also, she’s a grown woman and has a right to date who she wants to.”
“And she didn’t know who you were?” One eyebrow arches.
“No, she didn’t. She hates hockey.”
He’s silent again. “Is it serious?”
Fuck. What the hell do I say to that? I’m fucking nuts about her. I think she’s falling for me too. But serious? “I don’t know.”
“If it’s not serious, you might want to think about how deep into things you get with her.”
Ha. My gut tightens. Too damn late for that. “Why is that?” I ask calmly.
He rubs his forehead. “Fuck,” he mutters. Then he looks up at me. “Look, I have a good relationship with Vince. I’ve told him we’re not going to make changes to the team that aren’t based on building the best team to win the cup.”
Our eyes meet, and I understand. Mr. D has asked him to get rid of me.
I know he knows that I know.
“But I can only push so hard,” he continues.
I get it. Ice water runs through my veins. “I understand. And I appreciate your support. I certainly don’t want to cause problems for you or for anyone else on the team.”
“I know you don’t.” His mouth lifts into a wry smile. “You’re a good guy, Owen. We have no right to tell you who you can date. And I don’t want to come between a couple in love. Hockey will end. Family and love are all we really have.”
I’m surprised at his sentimental take. I’ve never really thought about that. I’ve never thought about hockey ending. I’ve been totally focused on just being the best.
I walk out of the room feeling heavy, my gut churning.
Shit. Fuck. This sucks.
I don’t want to cause problems for Mr. Julian. He’s been nothing but good to me. He cares about the guys. When we had problems a couple of seasons ago with a bully coach, he listened to us when we approached him. And he made changes. I don’t want to play anywhere else. And I feel I owe him better than having the owner of the team putting pressure on him to do something.
I was really hoping this wasn’t going to happen.
* * *
EMERIE
* * *
Owen’s been away a whole week on a trip to Dallas, Winnipeg, St. Louis, and Minneapolis. Tonight’s the last game of their trip, and I’m so excited that he’ll be home tomorrow. Or rather, late tonight. I’ve missed him so much.
There are only a few games left in the regular season. The Bears are still fighting with Pittsburgh for a playoff spot. That team is hot and talented, and lots of the sports dudes online are saying they’ll be in for sure.
The Bears won in overtime in Dallas and lost in Winnipeg and St. Louis, and their chances of a playoff spot seem to be slipping away. Owen’s been a little off his game. Not that I can tell, but the TV commentators talk when I watch the games saying he’s a step behind, playing sloppy, making mistakes. When I talked to him after the St. Louis game, he was down on himself about a turnover (not the delicious kind) that cost them a goal.
I’m watching the game again tonight, of course. Who would have thought I’d be so invested in a hockey game? I can’t believe it myself, but I’ve become hooked on the excitement, the speed, the skill…I wouldn’t say I love it, but…okay, I kind of do.
I’m also invested in them winning. It’s such a meaningless thing, really. It’s a game. But now I’m a fan, and I want them to win.
I can see the Bears are getting frustrated. They’re down three-two with only a couple of minutes left in the game. They’ve pulled Colton from the net. This always seems so risky to me, but Owen told me that they’re losing anyway so why not try it? I guess I understand.
I watch as Minneapolis shoots the puck down the ice. One of the Caribou gets it and goes to our net. The empty net.
“Oh my God,” I groan, but then Owen comes flying down the ice, trying to stop the guy from scoring.
It all happens so fast, I’m not even sure what I just saw—Schneider pops the puck into the empty net just as Owen hits him. Schneider goes down and slides into the boards. And he doesn’t get up.
Instantly, a mob of players surrounds Owen. I’m staring at the TV, my heart thudding, but I can’t see him. I can’t see what’s happening. The announcers are talking about Schneider still lying on the ice. I cover my mouth with my hands. I hope he’s okay.
“What a vicious hit!” an announcer says.
“What!” I shout at the TV. “Owen is not vicious!”
The refs are blowing whistles and trying to get things under control, but everyone’s still pushing and shoving. Finally, they separate the players and I can see Owen, his mouthguard hanging out as he yells back at some of the other players. He looks…
I want to throw up. He looks wrecked. He shoves another guy away from him. A linesman is taking him off the ice.
“He’ll be gone with a major,” the announcer says.
A trainer comes out to help Schneider, still on the ice.
The Bears players follow Owen as the linesman pushes him towards the bench, but he ends up going down the tunnel. The camera moves back to the ice, to one of the Minneapolis Caribou players who’s yelling, his face red with anger. Another ref is trying to calm him down.
This is ugly. So ugly. I hate it.
They end up having to take Schneider off the ice on a stretcher. I feel sick watching it. I know hockey can be dangerous, but this is the first time I’ve seen something like this. It’s horrible.
Then the game resumes. I don’t know how the players can focus after that. I rub my mouth as I watch. It doesn’t matter. The Caribou scored, they’re up by two goals, and it’s pretty much impossible for the Bears to come back with two goals in the time that’s left.
It’s like a train wreck I can’t look away from. I have to watch the post-game interviews because of course they’re talking about the hit. Some of the things the Caribou players are saying are alarming. Frightening, even.
They’re talking about how the next time they play the Bears they’re going to make Owen pay. They’re talking about him personally, using words like disgusting and dirty. They’re saying he hit Schneider intentionally. That he was trying to hurt him.
That’s not Owen. Not at all! Oh my God!
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