Page 32 of From Ice to Grace
I end the call only to find a text message from my brother…my agent.
They’re about to release the video on the hit. It’s bad, brother. You’re out for eight games…and you’ll have to forfeit some of your salary. $45,762.
For now, stay off social media. I’m working with the team’s PR manager to get a statement together that will keep them happy for now.
But there will be a press conference right?
Definitely. But I’ll try to give you as much time as I can to prepare.
Thanks, brother. I appreciate it.
This is what I do, Declan. As for the rest…Maddie is coming into town this weekend. We’re meeting for lunch or dinner. No excuses for meeting up, this is happening.
Part of me is relieved to know they’ll be in town and that I’ll get to see them. I’ve missed spending time with them, especially Maddie. Since she’s gone off to take Los Angeles by storm, I haven’t really seen her. I don’t even have time to respond when Harry’s face lights up my screen.
“You’re popular this morning,” Lindgren says, taking a big gulp of his shake. I haven’t even really touched mine yet, and right now I’m not sure if I should given the way my stomach is churning.
“Bite me.” I take a deep breath and swipe to answer.
“I’m guessing your agent already clued you in,” Harry says instead of his usual semi-friendly greeting. His voice is firm and I can practically hear his scowl over the phone.
“Good morning to you too, Harry,” I say, knowing there’s no amount of charm that will make this phone call go down in a friendly manner.
“Listen kid, now is not the time.” His impatience seeps through the phone. “This is not the way I want to start my season. We bought out your contract from the Bruins to stabilize our defense, to be an asset?—”
“I am an asset,” I interject. “One bad hit doesn’t change that.”
“You’re suspended, Murphy! You can’t travel, you can’t practice, not to mention the $45000 you basically lit on fire!”
I sigh, rubbing my temples where a sudden headache is blooming. The question isn’t whether or not the situation is bad, it’s how bad is it? Will Harry still give me a chance to make this right, to prove that I can be what this team needs?
“I know, Harry. That part wasn’t intentional.”
“Right now, I don’t care what your intentions were. You’re forcing me to make decisions I don’t want to have to make, Murphy. I know what you bring to the team, but right now, the damages outweigh the value. That means I have to start planning for alternatives.”
A chill runs down my spine, my grip on the phone tightening.
“What kind of alternatives, Harry?” I ask. “Be straight with me here.”
He sighs. “It’s still in the works and when we reach final decisions, you’ll be brought into a meeting. But for now, you should know that we’re looking to bring in a PTO.”
A professional try-out.
“For my position?” I ask, straightening in my seat. “Who is it?”
“Keep this up and you’ll find out soon enough.”
I sigh, squeezing my eyes shut. How can this be happening?
“So, what now?” I ask, avoiding Lindgren’s stare from across the room. “Do you still need me to show up tonight?”
“Of course you show up,” Harry barks. “If you can’t represent the team on the ice, you’ll do it on every other front. If you can’t perform on the ice, you’re going to perform for the sponsors, the donors, the media and every one else I throw your way. You’re still a part of this team and you need to start acting like it.”
He’s right, I’m not out yet. Although the thought of a PTO coming…it’s not looking good.
“What should I tell the media?” I ask. “Or do I issue a statement before tonight’s event?”
“You don’t issue anything,” Harry says. “Jenn will work on your public statement with your agent. She’ll also be your handler tonight. You won’t be coming up with anything on your own here, Murphy. For now, you smile, you behave, and you act like all of this is being cleaned up.”
