Page 129 of Body Check

The surprise on their faces was gratifying.

“I know you’ve been looking for a way to get someone in the O’Shea family in the head office. Well, here’s your chance.”

“You’re trying to tie our hands,” Paul said, narrowing his eyes.

Gavin shrugged. “No, just negotiating the best possible deal. And, you have to admit, this will only be good for the organization.”

“You still haven’t shown us a winning roster,” Ned said tightly. “And while I can’t deny having an O’Shea working for the organization will be a marketing coup, the truth is, it’s having a team that’s exciting to watch in the playoffs that’ll sell the most tickets.”

“Oh, no argument there,” Gavin agreed. “Which is why you’ll be pleased to know Rafael Moon was signed today.”

“Last we’d heard, he had no interest in leaving Minnesota,” Paul said, not even bothering to hide the surprise in his voice.

“Yeah, well, things change,” Gavin reminded them.

Paul leaned forward. “What was the deal for?”

“Bobby Tucker, a conditional second-round pick in the twenty-twenty-six NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft.”

“That’s not bad,” Paul said slowly. “I haven’t been overly impressed with Tucker’s production this season.”

“No, it wasn’t where I hoped either.” Ned sighed.

“We have other forward prospects we can explore to fill his position,” Gavin said. “I have several in Concord showing promise. But it isn’t our offense that’s in question. It’s our defense. I have every reason to believe Moon will be one of those pieces we’re lacking. I also am in talks with Jed Reilly from LA for another piece. I have a plan and if you give me enough time to execute it, I have every reason to believe success will follow.”

“You really left us no other option, did you?” Ned sounded vaguely disgusted.

Gavin smothered a grin, instead choosing to look everyone at the table in the eye. “Oh, you always have options.” He shrugged. “You can let me go. There are plenty of other teams that’ll be interested.”

“But if we do,” Lindsey said drily, “then we need to hire a new GM, new president of hockey ops, risk the public thinking wefired you because of your relationship to Dakota, and it’ll set us back another few years. Connor O’Shea is in his mid-thirties. He won’t play forever.”

Gavin shrugged. “I didn’t say it was agoodoption.”

“You’re a son of a bitch—you know that Racine?” Paul said, but there was something grudgingly appreciative in his tone.

“So I’ve been told,” Gavin agreed, finally letting himself grin.

He hadn’t made any friends today, that was for sure. But they did respect him. And this was the kind of move he was known for. Bold. Decisive. A little risky. And it felt damn good.

“While I’m at it, I’d like your assurance all members of the LGBTQ+ community are welcome in this organization.”

Ned looked offended. “Of course they are!”

“Does that include our transgender sisters and brothers?”

“Well of course,” Lindsey said slowly. “Though if you’re talking about a player, that’s a good deal more complicated. I don’t know that the league has even considered?—”

“Not a player,” Gavin assured her. “Support staff.”

“They damn well better be welcome,” Ned sputtered, “or our Pride nights are merely for show.”

Gavin had always wondered if Ned’s staunch insistence on welcoming the community was because he simply believed it was the right thing to do or if it was more personal. Supporting a family member or a loved one, perhaps.

Gavin had also wondered how far that support went. But Ned’s reaction was reassuring. And, Gavin supposed, it didn’t really matter why he was supportive, so long as he was.

“Well, that’s excellent news,” he said. “One of our staff members came to me with some concerns and I’m glad I can reassure them.”

“You tell them if anyone gives them issues, they’ll have to go through me first,” Ned said hotly.

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