Page 77 of Riding Pine
Blaze waves a hand in the air. “I’m a numbers guy. Let’s just say her numbers were out of line, and I have too many questions about where it all went. Understand?”
Both Ben and I nod. Although I’m not sure I really understand, but if he says we shouldn’t be concerned, then I’ll take it. Ben wipes his hands on his pants, and I reach over to grab one. He settles and Austin continues.
“Ben, we have a new contract for you to review. We want you to continue as the mascot. The numbers, like Blaze said, don’t lie. You bring a lot of revenue to the team, and we want you to stay. Regarding not revealing your identity going forward, a standard NDA is sufficient for the people you deem important enough to know.”
“Thank you,” he whispers.
Matts has remained silent until now, and the other owners look his way. With a sigh, he sits forward.
“The issue with you, Lukas, isn’t so simple. The players’ union and charter specifically state that should any player be found in a situation deemed a conflict of interest, or behaviour that could be viewed as unsavoury, action is required.”
“What exactly does that mean?” I ask.
“As a team, we don’t specifically have a rule that says you can’t be involved with other members of the organization. As someone who was in a situation, sort of,”—he glances at Austin with a smirk—“placing strict rules on players’ love lives is something we all agreed wasn’t necessary. Especially for anyone not fitting the straight label. It’s hard enough some days out there; we didn’t want to hinder someone’s personal growth.” He inhales and takes on a more serious tone. “However…we asked for such behaviour to be brought to management immediately so it could be investigated if needed.”
“Lukas,” Austin says. “Because you didn’t come forward when Ben told you who he was, we have to follow the rules we made. Since you’re a player in violation of disclosing potential conflicts of interest, no matter how trivial, you’ll be suspended for a further three games, making it a five-day suspension in total. Since you have never been in violation anywhere you’ve played, we waived the fine, but your pay will be adjusted for those five suspended days.”
It could be worse. Much worse.
“Thank you.” I nod to them. “That’s more than fair.”
“I wish we didn’t need to do it, but we can’t let things slide when we have a specific blueprint to follow. The next question is for you to decide.” Austin nods towards Coach Nix, and Coach clears his throat.
“As captain of the team and someone respected in the locker room, I feel like this would be an excellent opportunity to admit the mistake and tell your teammates what’s going on and why you’re benched. It could spark a conversation that’s useful toplayers who might struggle with something similar. However, the choice is yours if you’d rather keep it to yourself.”
“Do they get to know about Ben, or is that still something under wraps?”
“I think, because of the circumstances and with Christine no longer in a position with the team, we can forget about all that. The players are all bound by their contracts not to share inside information, and I think this would fall in there somewhere.” Austin looks to Blaze and Matts for confirmation, and they nod in agreement.
That’s all I need to know because I want to shout to everyone I can about Ben’s achievements. If it’s only my teammates I get to brag to about his game day acrobatics, then so be it.
“Okay. I’ll tell the team. Just tell me when, Coach.”
twenty-two
Ben
Leaving the rink, Lukas is quiet until we reach my car. After taking care of the suitcase and sliding it into the backseat, he breaks his silence.
“That could have been worse.”
“Definitely. Can we make a promise right now?”
It’s been bothering me since I met the owners at the brewery.
“I don’t seewhy not.”
A light snow has started as we drive back to our apartment. One that I didn’t know if I’d still be living in once all this stuff was behind us.
“I don’t want any more secrets. I told you I was Slappy in the beginning because honesty matters to me, Lukas. A lot. Even if we’re asked to keep it a secret, things like this that are big are…we should talk to each other. Can we promise to talk to each other and no more sneaking?”
“Absolutely. I wanted to tell you so badly, but not on the phone either.”
I pull into our parking lot and park in my spot. After killing the engine, I turn to Lukas. “When I got us Chinese food that last night, I was so in my head and worried I’d fucked up, a kind stranger offered an ear. I spilled my entire story to Austin in the back of a Chinese takeout place.”
Lukas’s eyebrows shoot up. “You didn’t know it was him?”
Laughing, I shake my head. “Nope. I don’t know hockey, and I never followed this town after I moved, either. But he told me to go to management and keep it quiet until I talked to them. When I walked into that room, I was so confused.”
