Page 58 of Slap Shot Scandal
Tomorrow’s press conference will make or break this rebrand.
But tonight, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve made the biggest mistake of my career.
And it has nothing to do with the hockey scandal.
Is pushing Weston away actually proving my dad right?
When pressure mounts, I choose fear, holding back. Staying in the safe position.
Maybe I’m not championship material after all…
CHAPTER 15
WESTON
It can’t happen again.
Harbor’s voice echoes in my head, drowning out my brother’s banter.
I know she’s right. Everything’s fucked if we screw this up—for both of us.
But that doesn’t make walking away feel any less like giving up the game before the buzzer.
I’ve never wanted anything more than hockey.
Until now.
And that terrifies me more than any hit I’ve ever taken.
“You going to bed already?” Bennett elbows me as we walk through the lobby of the Driftwood Inn. A few of the guys from the team are hanging at the bar, but I have zero interest in drinking or small talk.
“Yeah. I have an early ice time, followed by the presser and the ESPN interview.”
“Oh, fancy. The ESPN interview.” His voice raises an octave as he razzes me. “Better get your beauty sleep then.”
“Exactly. Callum, you gonna babysit this guy tonight? I’m afraid to leave him alone. We’re collectively trying to stay out of trouble, at least for a little while.”
“Hey.” Bennett throws his palms up in protest. “I’m right here, guys.”
“We know.” I level my gaze on Bennett. “I can’t emphasize this enough. We have to kick things off right. Please don’t do anything stupid. I’d feel better if you went up to bed right now.”
“Geesh.” Bennett huffs out a breath, then tosses an arm over Callum’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, Dad. I have Callum to babysit me.”
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t stay out too late, Cap.” Callum pats my back. “You can head up.”
Bennett leans in. “You sure you’re not having a late-night strategy session with Harbor? Because hooking up with the woman whose been hired to save our asses from scandal is peak irony, bro.”
My chest tightens, a mix of anger and disappointment surging through me.
“No. Believe it or not, just going to bed. Alone.”
“Too bad. You’d probably be less of a hard-ass if you got laid.”
My jaw clenches, but I ignore the jab. Fighting with my brother’s going to accomplish nothing.
“Night.” I stalk to the elevator and mash the button. I just want this day to end.
Mercifully, I’m alone in the elevator and there’s no power outages, so I get up to the second floor without incident. The doors slide open and I step into the quiet hallway, making my way to my room.
