16. Drake

The air in my office is tense, lingering with the residual stress from the heated meeting and accusations that have been thrown around. Callie bursts through the door with a sense of urgency.

"Drake, you need to come outside right now!" she exclaims, her eyes wide with concern.

I"m on my feet in an instant. "What"s going on?" I demand, already moving toward the door.

"Zane"s out there in a brawl with some random guy on the street," Callie hurriedly explains.

My jaw tightens as I process the information. Chase, Loughlin, and I all race out of the rink.

As we emerge onto the street, the chaos is evident. Zane is now tangled in a brawl with a stranger. The sounds of grunts and scuffling fill the air, drawing the attention of onlookers.

There are people filming.

"What the hell is going on?"

"I don't know—someone came running and saying they were fighting."

"Kade?" I hear Loughlin say.

"Kade?" I repeat.

I step in between the two men, Chase grabs Zane and Kade glances between Loughlin and me.

Loughlin seems to hesitate, as if he recognizes Kade but stops himself from saying anything.

"What"s happening here?" I demand, my eyes narrowing as I take in the chaotic scene.

"This guy just went off the rails. I couldn"t stop him," Zane spits as he lunges for Kade.

"Enough! What the fuck is going on?"

"It"s none of your business, Drake."

"It is my business when it happens right outside my team"s headquarters," I retort, trying to keep my composure. "There are people filming, Zane. Do you have any idea how this makes you look?"

Callie steps forward, her voice firm. "Zane, you need to calm down. This is not the way to handle things."

He shoots her a withering look but doesn"t say anything, the tension in the air palpable.

As we separate the two, Loughlin's eyes lock onto mine with a challenge. "You need to handle your players, Drake. This is getting out of control."

I clench my jaw, my frustration mounting. "I"m doing everything I can to maintain order, Loughlin. But I can"t control everything."

"Well, you better figure it out, or things will only get worse."

With that, Loughlin turns away, leaving me to deal with the aftermath of yet another confrontation. I turn my attention back to Zane, determination setting in.

"Zane, what the fuck was that about?" I demand, my patience wearing thin.

He looks away, refusing to meet my gaze. "It"s none of your business, Drake. Just let it go."

I exhale sharply, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "This is my team, and what happens with the players is my business. Now tell me what"s going on."

Zane scowls. I look at Kade.

He hesitates, glancing around as if to ensure no one is listening. "He insulted Emma, and I couldn"t let it slide."

My eyebrows furrow at the mention of Emma. "What did he say?"

"He called her a bitch. I couldn"t just stand there and do nothing."

Anger boils within me and I have to fight the urge to punch Zane in the face myself. Has he learned nothing? It's what we suspended him for yesterday.

"I want to press charges," Zane hisses.

"Shut up, Zane," I hiss.

"He attacked me. He started the fight, I'm innocent."

"Shut up, Zane. We're keeping this out of the media at all costs. Once people learn that Kade attacked because you called a female who works at the rink a bitch, the public will eat you alive."

"Female who works at the rink?" Zane laughs. "Please, Emma doesn't count as anything. She's no one and the whole world already knows that."

Kade and I both take a step toward Zane. His face pales.

"Shut your mouth, Zane," Chase sighs as he leads him inside and to the medics room.

"Thanks, Kade," I say as I leave him on the sidewalk and go to my office. Chase comes into my office a few minutes later.

Chase and I stare at each other in silence for a few minutes while we brainstorm about what to do with Zane. This is a mess of epic proportions. I am relieved that Loughlin disappeared. I'm not in the mood to deal with his mouth right now.

As we discuss the next steps, the topic shifts to Zane"s future with the team. I weigh the options, considering the impact of his recent behavior. The idea of trading him starts to take root in my mind, a way to distance ourselves from the escalating drama.

Just as I"m about to voice my thoughts, I stop myself. Trading Zane in the midst of controversy could have repercussions for the team. I need to tread carefully and not let emotions dictate decisions.

I can't trade him when I'm already being accused of bullying and harassment. This will just escalate things.

As the discussion continues, I learn that Zane has been spreading rumors about me. False accusations that I murdered someone in cold blood, and I should be in prison instead of owning a hockey team. The revelation sends a chill down my spine, a mix of disbelief and anger settling within me.

Chase leaves to deal with Zane while Callie walks into my office.

"I just got emailed this."

She shows me an email from a reporter. She is working to print a story about Toby's death and is wanting to ask questions, on record, about it. My former partner was constantly coming back to haunt me.

"She's saying that Toby's family questions the validity of whether it was really a suicide or if you two got into it over money."

"What?"

"It's absurd. I know. But it doesn't matter if there isn't any proof. People will condemn you regardless. If this goes to publication. What are you going to do?"

"I know what I need to do, but I'd like to hear your opinion first."

"Emma went to school for this sort of thing, have you thought about asking her?"

"That's not an option."

"You're going to have to do the interview and set the record straight. If you deny the reporter then you'll look guilty."

"I can't…that's not the way I want people to remember Toby. I don't want it to come out that…"

"I know and I get it, but you have to clear your name or you will lose everything."

I exhale and shake my head. I pinch the bridge of my nose. Callie leaves the room and I'm left to figure out what my next steps are going to be.

***

I need to see Emma.

I need to make sure she's okay.

The echoes of the tumultuous day at the rink linger in my mind as I make my way home. The weight of the recent confrontations, accusations, and the escalating drama with Zane feels like an unrelenting burden. The crisp night air does little to ease the tension, and my thoughts are consumed by the challenges that lie ahead.

Upon reaching my home, I drop my bag and keys on the foyer table, a sense of weariness settling over me. The quiet solitude of the house offers a temporary respite from the chaos outside, and I take a moment to gather my thoughts. The events of the day play out in my mind like a relentless loop, each confrontation and accusation etched into my consciousness.

I consider my next moves, the decisions that will shape the fate of the team and my own standing in the hockey community. The rumors spread by Zane threaten to tarnish not only my reputation but the reputation of the entire organization. It"s a battle that extends beyond the ice rink, and I find myself grappling with the complexities of managing a team both on and off the ice.

After a brief moment at home, I decide to walk over to Emma"s apartment. The need for connection, a source of solace in the midst of the chaos, draws me to her doorstep. As I step outside, the cool night air provides a sobering contrast to the warmth I seek.

As I approach Emma"s building, my steps slow. A sense of anticipation mingles with the fatigue, the hope for a moment of connection and understanding. The challenges we face are intertwined, and finding common ground becomes increasingly crucial.

However, as I draw closer, a surprising sight freezes me in my tracks. Kade emerges from her apartment building. They share a hug. My eyes widen in shock as I witness the intimacy between them, a moment that feels like an intrusion into a private space.

I stand there, invisible in the shadows, grappling with the unexpected revelation. The emotions swirling within me are a mix of surprise, confusion, and an unsettling sense of intrusion.

Kade leaves and I stand rooted to the spot.

It's nothing. They're just friends, she's already told me that.

After a moment, I gather my composure and continue toward Emma"s apartment.

I raise my hand to knock, the sound echoing in the night. The door opens, revealing Emma"s surprised expression as she sees me standing there.

"Drake, hey," she greets, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

"Hey," I reply, my tone a mix of uncertainty and resolve. "Can we talk?"

She hesitates, then nods, inviting me inside. As we step into her apartment, the air is thick with unspoken tension. I take a deep breath, the weight of the day"s events pressing on me.

"Is everything okay?" she asks, her gaze searching mine.

I hesitate, unsure of where to begin. "I saw Kade leaving. What"s going on?"

Emma"s expression tightens, and she takes a moment before responding. "Kade and I are friends. He came to check on me after what happened with Zane."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's just…frustrating."

"I get that."

I pull her into a hug.

"Everything is a mess, Drake. Zane's getting suspended and into fights. You're getting blamed and thrown under the bus. None of this was happening before I came home. Maybe I should…"

"Stop it. None of this is your fault. Zane is the one causing all of the problems because of his ego and jealousy, it's not you."

"It feels like it's me."

"It only feels like it, because it's overwhelming. You and Zane have a history and to see someone turn on you like this can be a lot."

She shakes her head and buries her face in my chest. "Thanks for being here. I needed this hug more than I realized I did."

"Me too," I chuckle.

"Will you stay the night?"

"Absolutely. I'm not moving from this spot for a bit though."

"Perfect," she murmurs.