Page 62 of Until He Scores

Seeing the door open and more of his team exit the building to join Thierry, warmed a spot in my chest I absently rubbed. These guys had his back just like I did, and I knew he had theirs too. In a group, we walked back to the entrance and stood on the closed side. The shouts of questions and clicks of shutters from the cameras filled the silence stretching between Thierry and those who waited for him to speak.

“My statement is short, and I won’t be taking questions at all,” Thierry said, staring at each person who listened. “My time with Derrick Whitlock was short lived. I found out rather quickly the type of person he was, and did what I had to, to make a clean break from him. The salacious stories that followed about me, were stories he’s told to garner sympathy. The accusations of abuse and cheating are a direct reflection of his character. There are multiple photos floating around of bruises left on my facefrom his disturbed actions. I have always stayed silent in the face of these challenges, but today I break my silence.”

I placed my hand on Thierry’s shoulder to steady him.

“Domestic violence is nothing new for Derrick Whitlock. Nor is cheating. To his victim or victims, I am sorry I stayed quiet. I thought by not saying anything he would go away. Unfortunately, my inability to speak out, caused harm to others. For that I cannot apologize enough. For the makers ofPomPom, you know the type of app you created. Put in the hands of someone like Derrick Whitlock, will or already has, caused undo stress, fear, and anxiety for unsuspecting users of the app.

At the behest of Nashville Metropolitan Police, I have agreed the information gathered during an incident that involved Derrick and myself in connection withPomPomshould be given over to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for further investigation. Specifically, after Derrick began showing up everywhere I was without being told my location. To anyone out there who believes they are a victim ofPomPom,report them and the user who is stalking you. Thank you.”

Thierry folded up the paper and pivoted, walking back toward the complex while reporters yelled out questions and more photos were taken. I was so damn proud of him. Whatever came next, I’d be right by his side.

“I want to go home,” he said. “Eat pizza and watch movies.”

That sounded really good. “As long as we can make a blanket fort.”

Thierry grinned. “You’re on.”

Epilogue

Thierry

Three years later...

The wedding went off without a hitch. I couldn’t believe we were in Tuscany, celebrating our fifth anniversary while Tabby celebrated her nuptials. None of this seemed real. Some days I wanted to pinch myself. I was so damn lucky. Grateful too. I stared at Pope, who stood off to the side with Rick talking about something engrossing while Tabby and her husband sat at the table of honor. Tomorrow was our last day in Italy. When we returned home, I started a new adventure, as did Pope.

After we won the AHL trophy twice, Coach Alexander moved up to the NHL to take over the duties for the Las VegasVipers, a great team who needed a bit more guidance to shore up their weaknesses. And me, well, you’re looking at the new Head Coach of the MurfreesboroMountaineers.

I didn’t know whether to puke or go blind after the announcement. The speed at which everything happened left me with whiplash, but I knew I could do the job and continue the tradition of cultivating a winning club.

Pope started smaller. After the incident with Derrick and showing up to court with me, inquiries began surfacing abouthim. Seemed people remembered Pope Ellis as the kid with talent who had a tragic upbringing. Although, they never should’ve said that out loud. It was the truth. Not more than a year after we married, Pope’s father passed away from a massive heart attack.

To this day, I can’t say with certainty if the look in his obsidian eyes was relief or pain when he heard the news. Maybe a combo of both? We started therapy that day. Grief for him and couples for us, because he was right. Sometimes our communication sucked. Over the years, we’d learned to ask for what we needed, and I also understood some of my insecurities came from previous relationships, too.

But I digress.

When the questions started flying about Pope, the youth hockey team in Murfreesboro, the same team who used our facilities, even, contacted him. Seemed the team needed a coach, and who better than the one and only goalie to have six shutouts in his youth career than Pope Ellis? That stirred some long-buried emotions for him. If he chose not to take the job, I didn’t blame him. The game for him was a distraction. Something his father and grandparents put him into to get over the loss of his mother or to cover his father’s drinking habits. Either way, just because he excelled didn’t mean the right intentions were used to bring his talent out.

In the end, he agreed. Making him the new coach of the Murfreesboro Junior Hockey LeagueElks. The way his chest puffed up with pride when the local paper did a small article on the announcement, and when sign-ups would take place, had me grinning like a fool. He deserved to have his skills and accomplishments applauded.

“May I have this dance?” Lost in thought, I hadn’t seen my husband approach nor heard the music change.

I placed my hand in his. “Of course. Everything okay? Seemed like you were in a heated conversation with Rick.”

“Everything is fine,” Pope replied. “Working out a schedule. Jenner wants to play hockey and football. We’re strategizing.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course he would. Look at who his dad and godfathers are.”

Pope’s gaze brightened. “I said the same. Anyway, we’re trying to come up with positions that might balance out together. So, when he isn’t on the ice, he can still take the skills he’s learning and apply them to football.”

We swayed to the music gliding around the dancefloor. “Sounds like he should be a winger then or a center forward.” Both skills would be useful on offense or defense. Speed would be the main thing to work on over time.

“I said the same. I think Rick is a little disappointed, though. I think he wanted Jenner to be a quarterback like him.”

“Isn’t Bentley doing that?” I asked.

Pope nodded. “He’s just being greedy is all.”

“Obviously,” I said with a little chuckle. “I’m so proud of you.”

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