Page 290 of Playing the Pucking Game
She’s the picture of perfection, and I’m sitting here feeling like I’m falling apart.
“I need…I need to tell you that I’m involved in a personal relationship with a player,” I blurt.
She sits back in her chair, her smile growing wider.
My suspicions instantly rise.
Why isn’t she more surprised?
Why isn’t she asking me who it is?
Why isn’t she shouting at me and telling me that I’ve abused my position and that I should be ashamed of myself?
“Parker,” she says softly. “The organization is already aware of your relationship with Lincoln Storm. They have been since before you walked in here on your first day.”
“I…I’m sorry?” I stutter, sitting forward as if that’ll help me hear better.
Esme’s smile continues to grow.
“The day that Lincoln came in here to tell me that you’d be moving in, he also ensured we were aware that the two of you weren’t just friends.”
“B-but…but we were,” I argue. “Hell, I’m not sure we were even friends. He’s driven me crazy for years. I went out of my way to annoy him just so he would leave me alone,” I ramble.
“Well, it seems that Linc may have seen things a little differently. It’s already noted in your file. Everyone who needs to know does, and everyone is happy, provided your relationship doesn’t influence your judgment or ability to provide objective care.”
I slump back in my chair again as if the wind has been knocked clean from my lungs.
“Everyone knows?”
“Everyone who needs to know, yes.”
“And no one thought to tell me?”
Esme laughs. “Had we known that you weren’t aware, we may have considered mentioning it.”
“Wow, okay. So…what happens now?”
“Now, if you don’t have anything else you need to discuss with me, then you get your butt back downstairs and do everything in your power to ensure our boys beat your brother tonight.”
I have my fingers wrapped around the door handle ready to leave when I pause.
“Esme, before I leave, I’d like to make a formal complain about a member of staff.”
72
LINCOLN
My thoughts are fully on Parker as I shove the locker room door open and step inside. My face might ache, but I’m more than used to living with aches and pains. And a black eye isn’t anything out of the ordinary.
But the second the guys spot me, that all changes.
“Fucking hell,” Killer announces. “I know Parker is strong, but damn, that’s a mean right hook she’s got on her.”
“Ha, ha, you’re funny,” I state as I move closer to my stall, ready to get dressed for practice. “It wasn’t Parker.”
“But you went home after leaving us last night, didn’t you?” Handsy asks, trying to piece it all together.
“Oh shit,” Kodie gasps. “You’ve seen Rett already.”
