Page 12 of Wild Blades

Fuck her. She didn’t even come to her funeral.

Savanna tilts her head to the side. “Why didn’t you tell us, Wade? We would have helped you navigate your loss.” I didn’t even take any time off, I just tunneled through the darkness of it all in a daze.

“It was nobody’s business but mine. I don’t need anyone’s help.” I sound pathetic. Like I might break at any second. I hate it.

“If you want to remain on the team, the counseling is non-negotiable,” Marcus states, straightening his tie.

Eyes locked in a standoff, we stare at each other, and I know I’m not exactly in a position to argue with him. I’d be a fool to mess with the man who pays my wages and can stop them with a quick email to Savanna.

“Our sponsors and stakeholders are sitting up and paying attention. They don’t appreciate the bad publicity. Neither do the fans.” Marcus points at three large moving boxes. “Those are full of hate mail.”

My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach.Hate mail?

His admission makes me see that it’s time for change. Although I don’t know if I can. I've been wallowing for so long now, it’s become a habit. So, I take the path of least resistance and agree to it if it will guarantee my place on the team. “Okay.” No one said I have totalkwhen I go to the grief counseling, justattend,so that’s what I’ll do. Show up and tick a box.

“What else do I have to agree to?”

I snap my eyes along the table and calculate that I have another four people I’ll have to agree to work with if I want to see out my career playing for the Eagles.

My gaze lingers for a beat longer than it should on a woman I think I recognize.

No way it could be her. My mind is playing tricks on me, surely.

Her unnerving stare from her dark eyes makes me shift in my seat as uneasy feelings course through my body.

Oozing power, her face remains motionless, glaring at me as if wanting to eat me alive. With blood-red lips, she looks like a black widow spider—one bite and she’ll kill me.

I squint to get a better look…is it her?It can’t be… looks a lot like her though… I’m definitely seeing things.

Savanna’s voice breaks my thoughts. “You will work with Ash one-on-one at his training facility to improve your skills. Specifically, on your edge work drills.”

“My edge work is insane.” I look across at Ash, confused, throwing my hands in the air.

He sits forward, resting his laced fingers on top of the table. “It needs improving. As is your ability to avoid contact and contain your temper when another player is intentionally unsportsmanlike. I’ve watched the tapes. You’re a liability on the ice, to yourself and others. You’ll come work with me every week and you’ll also have sessions with our sports psychologist,Joe Gray.” A guy around his mid-forties nods his head to make himself known.

Unable to stop myself, I blurt out, “What the hell do I need to speak to a spo––”

Ash places his pointer finger to his lips, urging me to shut up. “It’s all booked, Wade.”

I flop back in my chair, folding my arms across my chest, unable to hide how annoyed I am with all this.

Between training, visiting Gretchen’s grave, which I do every week without fail, games, traveling, press conferences, interviews—although they don’t let me do them anymore—and preparing balanced meals for my strict eating plan, when the hell am I getting any downtime?

“This is for your own good,” Ash justifies. “You’ll also be assigned sessions with our nutritionist too. No more alcohol. It doesn’t agree with you.”

He’s not wrong about that.It makes me aggressive and confrontational and turns me into someone I don’t particularly like. If I didn’t know better, I would swear I have an ulcer because it makes me vomit something terrible.

A sweet voice interjects, “And you don’t have to worry about preparing food, grocery shopping, laundry, errands, appointment scheduling, everything you don’t have the time for because your schedule is about to get super busy, I’ll do it all. I’m Lola, and I’m your new personal assistant.” A beautiful girl with the sweetest dimples smiles at me with a shy finger wave.

Paying full attention, I unfold my arms and sit up straight.Now this I can get on board with.Lola is beautiful. Blond, brown eyes, around my age, maybe slightly younger.

“Lola has a boyfriend.” Ash sounds exasperated. “Hands off.”

“We’re getting married, actually.” She flashes her ring to everyone.

“Well, that’s too bad,” I say, turning on my boyish charm, making everyone chuckle except Marcus.

Although I should watch my mouth. The Britney incident is still fresh in everyone’s minds.

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