Page 81 of Scoring Zone
“Do. Not. Call. Him. That.” Everyone in earshot is startled by Austin’s venom.
My assistant takes the phone away so I can talk to more of the guys, which is good to take the focus off the way his anger is turning me on at being claimed like that.
The team scrapes by, winning two to one. It will be the first time Austin will be in the pressroom since charges were filed against me. Finn kept him out to give the story time to die.
The team’s official response has been noncommittal, and the Enforcers have not confirmed nor denied my firing. Finn has fielded questions but maintains the team is cooperating fully with the investigation and following the proper procedures and guidelines until the truth is disclosed.
It implies the team believes I’m telling the truth regarding my self-defense, but this way they have plausible deniability.
Austin’s got his interview face on, a polite but detached smile. Even though the team won, he’s most likely beating himself up over a few blown plays.
The interview starts fine with hockey questions, but one reporter asks him about me. “Is it true that Grayson Ward, the accused assailant, is your longtime friend?”
“That description of him is false, but our friendship is well documented.” Austin’s jaw ticks.
The reporter yells another question without being called on. “Do you fear for your safety around him?”
Finn steps up to the mic. “No more questions regarding an ongoing investigation.” He calls on someone else to ask a question.
Austin’s fuming and after a few more questions, Finn announces time is up. Austin stands abruptly, knocking over the chair he’s sitting in.
“I’d like to state for the record, Grayson Ward is one of the best men I know. I’m proud to be his…friend, and I’ve never feared him.” He storms off camera, and it’s a toss-up whether to kiss him or kill him.
My phone rings two minutes later.
“Tinny,” I breathe.
“No shot you missed my presser, huh.” He sounds defeated.
“I love you for it, but you shouldn’t have given them any leverage.” I wish I could see his face, but he’s in the locker room, and it’s common courtesy not to video while the team changes and showers.
“Ugh, I hate being so helpless. And the press dude looked smug as fuck.”
“And you gave him what he wanted—a reaction.” I lean back in my chair. “Someone is knocking on our door.”
“Take me with you.”
“You’re cute when you worry,” I tease, knowing he won’t argue with me with the team there.
“It’s an officer,” I whisper. I’m frozen with the phone to my ear, one hand on the door, and looking out of the peephole.
“I’m right here. Hopefully, it’s good news that the criminal case has been dropped.” His voice is so excited that I don’t bother telling him that’s not how it works.
I open the door. “Can I help you, officer?”
“It’s sheriff,” he says indignantly.
“My apologies.” I wait for him to state his business as he glares at me.
“Are you Grayson Ward?”
“I am.”
“You’ve been served.” He hands me an official envelope and walks away.
“What? What happened?” Austin shouts into the phone, and I’m glad the sheriff is down the hall.
“Hang on, let me open the envelope,” I say, blindly walking over to the island to set it down and sit before my knees give out.
