Page 79 of Cheap Shot
“Don’t you want to check with Parker before we leave?”
“Oh, right!” she squeaks, her cheeks turning a delicious shade of pink. “I’ll be right back.”
She spins on her heel and practically runs toward Parker’s office, knocking softly on the door before entering.
“I hate to see her go, but I love to watch her leave,” Beau says as I spin around and sock him right in the stomach.
“You have a death wish, too, apparently.” Cooper chuckles and throws Jensen's arm over his shoulder, giving him some support. “Let’s get this asshole into your car and back to your place.”
“Wait. Why my place?” Beau coughs, his arm still wrapped tightly around his waist. “Can’t I just take him home?”
“Because you heard what Michele said. Someone needs to watch him and make sure he doesn’t die. I have to go to the Coach's office with this one and make sure he doesn’t make things worse. He also needs to know the shit Jensen was saying about Michele.”
“He’ll be gone for sure,” Beau responds, grabbing Jensen’s arm from Cooper and throwing it over his shoulder.
“Is it really that serious?” I question, my head swiveling between my two brothers. “He was disrespectful toward Michele for sure, but should he really be sent back to the AHL for that?”
Beau chuckles, rubbing his opposite hand across the back of his neck. “You have no room to ask if it’s serious after you just threatened to end his life for looking at her.”
“Says the guy who almost broke Crosby’s ribs last season for calling Alise a puck bunny.”
“He did what!” I shout, my head turning toward Parker’s office to make sure Michele is still inside. “And he’s still alive?”
“Only because we needed him for the playoffs.” Beau rolls his eyes, turning to head toward the door, Cooper and I following close behind him.
“Fair. Not that I’m complaining, I just didn’t know Coach would care so much.”
Beau and Cooper share a look before Cooper shakes his head slightly. “You have no idea.”
“Are either of you going to share your creepy, silent conversation with the class?”
“Nah. You’ll find out soon enough.” Beau gives us both a mock salute before pushing through the locker room doors. Both doors swing back and forth before closing.
“I haven’t missed your cryptic messages one bit.” I roll my eyes at Cooper as we turn in the opposite direction.
“Better get used to it. If either of us has any say in it, you’re going to be around here for a very long time.” He smiles brightly, patting me hard on the back as we turn down the hall, heading toward Coach’s office. One problem solved; one more to go.
It’s no surprise that Coach is waiting for us in his office, his eyes glued to the computer screen. I knock softly on the door to get his attention. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Coach.”
“Don’t lie, Cole. I despise liars,” he deadpans, his eyes focusing on Cooper before returning to mine. “Did you bring the cavalry to plead your case? If so, you can save it. You were out of control at practice today. I’m within my right as coach to kick you off the team.”
“I completely understand, sir.”
“But you won’t. Besides, don’t you think kicking him off the team completely is a little excessive for a first offense, Coach?” Coopers strolls into the office, the picture of calm, while I’m a panicking mess on the inside.
“First offense, huh?” Coach raises his eyebrow at me in question, asking if I’ve told Cooper about what happened in Boise, and I shake my head. Thankfully, Coach doesn’t say a word, only motions for me to take the other seat next to Cooper. “It seems you’ve already decided on a punishment for your brother, Cooper.”
“Not exactly. You have the right to punish him however you see fit. Fine him, suspend him for a few games at the start of the season, or even kick him off the team.”
Thanks for putting ideas into the man’s head, big brother. I thought you were here to help, not sabotage me before I even have a chance to say something on my behalf. “But I assumed you’d want to have all the facts before deciding.”
“Why do I feel a sudden sense of déjà vu?”
“Because you should. This isn’t the first time we’ve had a conversation like this.” Cooper chuckles, running a hand through his hair. “I believe it was one of my first practices back before the playoffs.”
Coach’s brow scrunches as he tries to remember whatever Cooper is talking about until it looks like a light bulb went off in his head, but instead of the memory helping him relax, it does the exact opposite.
“Tell me exactly what was said that made you go after Jensen,” he growls, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the edge of his desk
