Page 11 of Wild Blades

Not today?Sounds like a threat.

My shoulders drop down a couple of inches in relief.

“You are on another four-game suspension though.” Savanna is calm in her delivery of that news. “Violence will not be tolerated. Especially not towards fellow team members.”

Okay, that I can take. But it will kill me not being able to play.

She clears her throat. “Your behavior, both on and off the ice, has become questionable. You are not only damaging your reputation, but the impeccable reputation of the Eagles. Collectively, we agree that we cannot and will not stand by and watch you continue to sabotage your career and our good name.”

“I’m sorry.” I look down at the table in shame.

I know what I have been doing, but I didn’t stop.

Maybe it was a cry for help, or maybe it was a way to vent the anger inside of me that’s been boiling over like an out-of-control vat of acid.

Whatever it is, I have to stop before I lose the one thing I love, and the only thing I still have left.

Hockey.

Savanna pushes on. “Your shift in attitude over the last year is something we can no longer ignore because we know that’s not who you are, Wade. We gave you the benefit of the doubt, in the hope that your behavior would improve, but it hasn’t, and it’s having an impact on the dynamic of the team. Your negative attitude and the increase in physical aggression are not only alarming, but a cause for concern.” Pushing her black-rimmed glasses up her nose, she stalls, giving me time to process her words. “We care about you, Wade. We all do. I remember the dayyou sat in this room and signed your contract.” Her tone is full of warmth and concern.

“Best day of my life.” I was desperate to permanently ink my name onto the paper.

“I know.” Savanna inches forward, her head nodding. “You said that at least twenty times that day.”

I remember how she compared me to an excitable puppy.

“Playing hockey is all I’ve ever wanted to do.” I say the most honest thing I have in a while. “I thought I was about to lose it all.”

“We know and that’s why, moving forward, we have assembled a new, in-house team to help support you.” She holds her hand out to her side and motions to everyone to her left. “Welcome to your support team.”

Support team? What the hell is that?

CHAPTER THREE

Wade

I open my mouth to object to having thissupport teamthat’s being thrust upon me, but I don’t get a chance before Savanna points down the line of people. “You will check in with me every Friday, in person to tell me about your progress. If I am unavailable, you will report to Dustin or Marcus.”

“Progress?” I blurt, confused, but again she railroads my questions.

“As a team, we’ve decided to deal with your recent behavior in-house,” she says as if reading from a script. “More than anything, we want you to remain on the team. Marcus has agreed to do all he can to help you get back on track without external influence from the governing bodies.”

Shit, if they get involved my contract would more than likely be terminated.

Savanna adds, “You will be required to attend grief counseling sessions with Thomas Bernstein.” Waving her hand in the direction of a guy I assume to be Thomas. “Pleased to meet you, Wade.” He nods, smiling.

“I don’t need a grief counselor.” My tone is fretful and I scowl hard, looking back at Savanna. I then apologize to Thomas. “No offense.”

“None taken,” he replies, seemingly unaffected by my objection.

Ezra, Myles, now everyone else… why does everyone think I need grief counseling?

Savanna’s tone becomes much gentler as she says, “We heard Gretchen died, Wade. I’m so sorry to hear that.” With kind eyes she looks at me, her sympathy stabs me through the heart, and I feel like I want to fucking die. “A year ago?”

Who told them?

My mother? Why would she care?

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