When you have lived and breathed hockey for so long, it’s hard to just walk away, but now I know what I’m walking to, and just that makes me feel at peace.
Coach is also sitting in on this meeting as the ‘neutral’ side. I sit next to Scott. The mood is tense. Coach doesn’t even want to be here, but he has no choice. It wasn’t a suggestion.
It takes two more minutes before Charles enters followed by Monica, making my blood fucking boil. I’m almost ready to jump out of my chair just as Scott puts his hand on my arm. Looking over, he smirks and shakes his head no.
I have no doubt that he is on my side.
Charles takes a seat next to Coach with Monica sitting beside her father.
Charles is the first to speak. “It has come to my attention that there was an altercation between you and my daughter.” He pauses to look at Scott. “An altercation that should have never happened.”
“You’re right,” I start, “you are one hundred percent right. This should have never happened. I have a contract. One that states I get certain privileges.”
“So this hissy fit you are throwing is about what exactly? You have to agree it would be in poor taste for your ‘friend’ to be in the wife lodge,” he says condescendingly, making me snap.
“I believe the only one making a hissy fit is the brat of a daughter you have.”
Charles sits up straight.
“Not only did she block my future wife from the lodge, she tried to verbally attack her in front of her children.”
“I think this has gone on long enough. You guys had a fight, a tiff if you may. It’s time to cut to the chase. Monica is very sorry for whatever you think it is she did. Let’s just start over.”
“You are right,” Scott states. “This has gone on for too long. Cooper dated Monica. That is over.”
I look at Monica and see her roll her eyes.
“Really, Cooper, isn’t this enough? I learned my lesson,” she states. “I’m willing to look past this and start over.”
“Have you lost your mind?” I stare at her. “Look past what exactly? That I don’t love you? That I never did? Look past that Parker will be my wife, something you would have never been?”
“That’s enough, Stone,” Charles says.
“No, it hasn’t even begun to be enough. Your daughter crossed lines. Lines that I drew. She knew we were over, she knew that whatever we had wasn’t anything to write home about. She took it upon herself to fuck with Parker and in return it means she fucks with me. You want to fuck with me, bring it on. But let’s be honest, Charles, I’m never going to marry your daughter, ever.” I lean forward.
“And on that note we see that the team is in breach of contract since stipulations were made and not followed through. Charles, I would hate to drag this into the courts.” Scott crosses his legs.
“Are you threatening me?” Charles asks.
“Call it what you want, but know that I have one year left on my contract. I also have a no trade clause, so I’m not going anywhere. You want to sit me out? Be my fucking guest. You want to buy me out of my contract? Fucking do it. But don’t fucking sit here and try to sugar coat this.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Coach finally peeps in. “Charles, you start to push me, I’ll side with Cooper. This is fucking high school drama. We are sitting here because Monica fucked up, and you should be the first to see it. Are you really willing to put the team in jeopardy because she didn’t get her way?” Coach then looks at Monica. “This stops now.”
“Fucking right it does or else my ass isn’t getting on that ice.”
Charles gasps, and Coach smirks.
“I’ve had a shitty week, but deep down you know I’m the best there is. I’ve won some pretty big titles and brought you home a cup. I plan on bringing home one more, but I won’t even put the effort in if I know that you will let this go on.”
“Ball’s in your court, Charles,” Scott says.
“I’ll have everything cleared up right away. I don’t like it, I don’t agree with it, but I’m going to do what’s best for the team.”
“I also don’t want anything to do with Monica. You need something from me, get an intern to email me, call me. Whatever it is, she doesn’t come near me, she doesn’t call me, she doesn’t get to touch my family. I’m not fucking kidding. The minute I feel she is fucking with me, I’m out.”
“Okay, folks, this is over,” Coach says, getting up. “Cooper, see you tonight.”
Scott and I get up and head to the door, not even giving Monica or Charles a second thought. Once the door is closed, Scott turns to me. “Nice play saying you wouldn’t play.”