Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“If we go by footage alone, I’d say it looks like the complete opposite. Lane’s the one who swiped into that booth, and he’s also the one who approached Voyjik in the hall.”
I try not to react as I realize it looks exactly like that.
“There have been sexual harassment claims all over the NHL, and the last thing this team needs is that kind of scandal,” Mick continues calmly. “How am I to know everything that happened was consensual?”
“Of course it was consensual,” Oskar snaps. “Lane could never force me to do anything I didn’t want to.”
Oh, holy shit.
“Oskar …”
“No.” He glares at me. “You won’t let them say anything negative about me. They’re not doing the same to you.”
“So it’s true?” Mick says.
“See?” Keerson stands, pointing right at Oskar. “He had one more chance, and he’s blown it.”
Mick doesn’t immediately answer, and I know exactly what he’s thinking. Ever since Oskar’s been off the ice, they haven’t won a game. Oskar truly does hold this team together. Before Mick can say anything, I play into those fears.
“There’s no way you can fire him,” I say. “I don’t care what you do to me, but you know that you’re fucked without him. Do you really want that kind of publicity? Heading into the construction of a new facility, and all anyone is going to be able to talk about is San Jose choking before playoffs and starting next season on a losing streak.”
“Anything can be spun positively,” Keerson says, trying to reason with me. And I get it. Oskar has been nothing more than a pain in his ass the entire time he’s worked for this department. He made a fool of him when Keerson was his minder and didn’t care how Keerson’s career was affected by Oskar constantly giving him the slip. “But no one in this room can tell me Voyjik deserves to be on this team over every other hockey player who’s busting their ass to make it to the NHL.”
Oskar goes to respond, but I cut him off.
“And that’s where you’re wrong. Oskar has always given one hundred percent when it comes to hockey, and the last few months, he’s worked his ass off to do exactly what we asked of him and cleaned up his image. Plus, with the injury and his stats, he’s San Jose’s golden boy. Do you really want to fire someone on the IR list? Anything can be spun positively when all parties are quiet, but if it got out that …” I whistle. “Oskar refused to get the plastic surgery he was being pressured to get and ended up fired …” I shrug and sit back in my seat.
“I don’t like your tone, Lane,” Mick says.
“No tone from me. All I’m saying is that if Oskar’s fired, I can’t control him anymore. Who knows what he’d do?”
As Oskar clues in to what I’m implying, the knowing look he sends me is evil as he links his hands behind his head. “I always have had trouble keeping things private.”
“There’s no need anyway because I have no plans to fire him.” Mick huffs.
“What?” Keerson cries. “Does he have to murder someone to face any consequences at all?”
“There’ll be consequences.” Mick turns to me, face drawn. “You know I can’t allow for this kind of thing to go on.”
“I do,” I croak.
Then Mick does the worst thing imaginable. He stares at me with defeated sympathy. “If anyone found out, there’d be all kinds of speculation ranging from consent to the ethics—”
“I understand.”
Keerson’s mouth drops. “You’re firing Lane? Is this a joke? He’s the best there is.”
I want to point out that sleeping with a player probably doesn’t support that theory.
“No way,” Oskar says before Mick can say anything. “Let me make this simple. You fire him, I walk.”
“Your contract—”
“Fuck the contract. What are you going to do? Make me pay the money back? Not like I spend any of it anyway. You going to tattle on me to the press? It’s just same shit, different day. No one will care.” Oskar laughs bitterly. “I think my stellar reputation can take the hit.”
“What are you doing?” I hiss at him.
He waves my concern away and glares at Mick. “Call my bluff. I dare you.”
Mick holds up his hand. “Can everyone take a breath? I never mentioned firing him.”
He didn’t?
He heaves a deep breath and looks over at me. “It’s up to you, but my hands really are tied here. You can stay with the team if this whole thing ends right this second and not a word of it gets out. If you can’t agree to that, then I’ll be forced to let you go.”
“Fine. Agreed. It’s over.” Oskar lifts his hands like it’s a done deal. “Can we go home now?”
Mick ignores him. “Lane?”