12. Drake

The chill of the night air hits me as I step out of the dimly lit bar. It"s been one of those evenings, the kind where the air is thick with tension and the inevitable clash is palpable. Zane has become a persistent thorn in my side. He's gotten into yet another fight tonight. Another moment where I have to go to talk to the police and the injured parties to get him out of the media shitstorm this could become.

This is just the latest episode in a series of incidents that have threatened the cohesion of the team.

I sigh, a heavy weight settling on my shoulders as I contemplate the repercussions of the night"s events. Zane"s fiery temper, his inclination for trouble— it"s a toxic mix that I"ve been grappling with for too long. The decision is clear, even if it"s not one I relished making. Zane had to be suspended again, for the sake of the team and the discipline that defines our dynamics.

As I make my way back to my car, the familiar vibration of my phone interrupts the silence. The caller ID reveals the name I"ve come to dread—Loughlin. I answer, steeling myself for the impending storm.

"Drake," Loughlin"s voice cuts through the air, a mixture of frustration and impatience. "I just got wind of Zane"s little brawl at the bar. Care to explain why your star player can"t seem to stay out of trouble?"

I take a deep breath, the chill in the air matching the icy tone of our conversation. "Zane"s behavior is becoming a liability. I"ve suspended him to address the issue and maintain discipline within the team."

There"s a pause on the other end, a pregnant silence that foreshadows the storm brewing. Loughlin"s voice, when it finally comes, is laced with an edge of menace. "Drake, you"re skating on thin ice here. Zane is the best player you've got, and the team needs him on the ice. If you can"t handle this, maybe it"s time for me to replace you with a partner who can."

The threat hangs in the air, a subtle reminder of the power dynamics at play. I grit my teeth, the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I"m trying to build a team that operates with discipline and integrity. Zane"s actions go against that. I can"t compromise the values of the team for the sake of one player."

His laughter on the other end is a grating sound, the arrogance of someone who sees players as pawns in a game of power. "You"re in over your head if you think you can prioritize values over results. I"m not interested in moral victories. Get Zane back on the ice, or I"ll find someone who can deliver the wins I need."

The call ends, leaving me standing in the quiet night, a storm of conflicting emotions raging within. Zane"s antics have become a reflection of the power struggles off the ice, a battle for control and dominance that threatens to overshadow the very essence of the sport we all love.

The following day at the rink, I gather the team for an impromptu meeting. The tension is palpable, the air thick with the unspoken knowledge that changes are imminent. Zane, with a bruised ego and a bandage on his cheek, stands among the players, a defiant glint in his eyes.

"Listen up, everyone," I announce, my voice cutting through the murmur of conversation. "Zane has been suspended again due to his recent actions. We"re a team, and discipline is non-negotiable. We need to focus on our goals and ensure that our commitment to the game is unwavering."

The response is mixed—some players nod in agreement, recognizing the necessity of maintaining order within the team, while others exchange glances that speak of skepticism and discontent. Zane, however, wears his defiance like a badge of honor, a challenge to the authority I represent.

In the ensuing days, the rink becomes a battleground of emotions and conflicting loyalties. Zane sidelined and seething, is a volatile presence that casts a shadow over the team dynamics. The whispers of discontent echo in the locker room, and I find myself grappling with the fragile balance of maintaining order without losing the trust of the players.

Loughlin was on me to get Zane back on the ice. He was threatening me again but I wasn't about to let some old man scream orders at me when I'm the one who calls the shots.

Okay, so maybe he has the right to call the shots because he is the majority co-owner but we agreed he'd be a silent partner. This is anything but silent.

The phone rings and I glance down to see Loughlin's number.

Speak of the devil. He just can't leave it alone.

"Drake," Loughlin"s voice comes through the phone, the tone a cold reminder of the power dynamics at play. "Zane needs to be back on the ice. The team"s performance is suffering, and you can"t afford to jeopardize your chances for the playoffs."

I take a deep breath, my frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Loughlin, I can"t compromise the discipline of the team for the sake of one player. Zane"s actions have consequences, and I won"t undermine the values we stand for."

He scoffs, the dismissive sound grating on my nerves. "You don't have a winning team, you don't have a team in Willow Creek. I will pull everything."

"I'll be fine without your money or backing, I've proven I can do this without you."

"I don't care. You do as I say, or I'll make certain you lose everything," he growls before hanging up. Zane walks by at the same time.

"Drake Baron doesn't call the shots around here like he thinks. I call the shots because I'm the star player and this team needs me," I hear Zane bragging to one of the newer players.

I audibly growl and I take a step forward. I resist the urge to snatch him up by the back of the shirt and pulverize him. I take a few deep breaths before blowing the anger out.

That's what Zane wants. He wants me to get out of character and come at him. He believes me to be a jealous asshole and he'll do whatever he can to make others see his words as truth.

I will not give it to him.

There's a game tonight and I need to make certain he and Coach know that he's not playing tonight. He's suspended regardless of what Loughlin says.

As I'm about to walk out of my office to set him straight Emma comes up.

"Hey, Drake," she greets me. "Got a minute?"

I exhale, the breath escaping in a silent sigh. "Make it quick, Emma. I've got a lot going on."

"I had a meeting with Kade today. He wanted to talk about something important."

My interest is piqued, my gaze meeting hers. "And what"s that?"

Her eyes hold a spark of excitement. "He wants me to be the face of his family's skate company. Apparently, he thinks I can bring a fresh perspective and appeal to a broader audience."

The words hang in the air, a revelation that catches me off guard. My mind races to process the information, and a surge of frustration builds within me. "The face of the company?" I retort, my tone laced with sarcasm. "What exactly does that mean?"

"His family owns a skate manufacturing company. He wants me to represent the company in promotional materials, and maybe do some interviews. It"s a big opportunity, Drake."

I can feel the tension coiling within me, the frustration threatening to spill over. "And what did you say to him?" I ask, my voice sharper than intended.

"I told him I needed to think about it. It"s a big decision, and I wanted to discuss it with you first. It would have Kade and I going places alone and together."

I run a hand through my hair, the pressure building within me. "Discuss it with me? What"s there to discuss, Emma? If you want to be the face of some company, go ahead. It"s not like I have a say in your career choices."

The words are more cutting than I intended, and I see the hurt in her eyes deepen. I turn away, unwilling to confront the emotions that threaten to surface. I can"t afford to be distracted by personal matters.

"Drake," she says, her voice softer now, "this could be a great opportunity for both of us. I thought we could talk about it and make a decision together."

I scoff, the frustration bubbling over. "Opportunity? Let"s be real, Emma. Kade doesn"t want you to be the face of his company. He"s just trying to get you into bed."

The words hang in the air, a brutal truth that I deliver with a callousness I hadn"t known I was capable of. I see the shock in Emma"s eyes, the hurt etched across her face. It"s a painful realization that I"ve just crossed a line, and the consequences of my words are irreversible.

She stands there, her expression a mix of hurt and disbelief. I turn away, my back to her, unable to face the consequences of my callousness. I start toward the locker room, determined to grab Zane before practice starts.

"Can we talk?" she asks, her voice soft.

I nod, a heaviness settling within me. "Sure."

She enters my office. I follow, closing the door behind me. The silence lingers, a palpable tension that speaks volumes. I brace myself for the conversation I know is inevitable.

"I didn"t expect you to react like that," she begins, her eyes searching mine.

I exhale, the weight of regret settling within me. "I know. I was out of line. I shouldn"t have said those things. It's been a rough day, and I took it out on you."

Emma takes a deep breath as if steeling herself for what comes next. "Why did you say them, Drake? What"s really going on?"

I run a hand through my hair, the guilt and frustration gnawing at me. "I was on edge, Emma. The pressure of the game, the decisions I had to make—it got to me. I lashed out, and I shouldn"t have."

She studies me for a moment, her gaze unwavering. "And what about what you said about Kade?"

I look away, unable to meet her eyes. "I don"t know, Emma. Maybe I was just trying to hurt you because I felt hurt myself."

"It hurt me."

"That's the last thing I wanted. I should have been mindful that I wasn't in a good headspace and took a few breaths to get there."

"Do you think it's a bad idea for me to work with Kade?"

"I don't trust him. I can't find anything about him online. Did he tell you the name of his company?"

She shakes her head. "No, I didn't … I didn't ask."

Her brow furrows as her eyes dart downward. She's realizing that she should have asked more questions now.

Good. She can't be this na?ve.

"That's the first place to start. I don't trust how he just showed up and no one here has ever seen him before, but he says he has ties to the area. Who's his family? What company? It's exciting to be asked to be the face of something but does it align with who you are and is it real?"

"You're right. I'll do more research."

She turns to leave and I grab her by the wrist. I pull her back into me and kiss her passionately. I pull away, both of us breathless.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how I talked to you earlier. It wasn't okay."

She nods. She stretches up to kiss me softly.

"Thank you. Is there anything I can do to help with your day?"

"No, it's mine to worry about. Kissing you helps."

"In that case," she giggles.

She wraps her arms around my neck and presses herself against me as she kisses me again. My entire body tenses, my pants tighten, and I fight the urge to bend her over my desk right now.

What would it hurt if I did?

I can't go there right now. I have to take care of this situation with Zane before I lose control completely.

"Tomorrow night, let's have dinner at my house. I'll cook for you and the two of us can release all of our stress and worries."

"You had me at ‘I'll cook for you.'"

I kiss her quickly again and we pull apart.

"I'll see you at the game tonight."

She leaves the rink and I go to the locker room.

If Zane thought he was unsuspended it means that Loughlin overstepped and went directly to the player. I will get to the bottom of this and take control back as quickly as possible.

Loughlin is up to something and I'm going to make sure he doesn't get away with it.