AGAINST THE ICE

Chapter19

Max turned around and shoved him hard. You could hear him say, “Touch her and I’ll kill you.”

The film ended.

I clicked the TV off. My dad rocked back on his heels. He wasn’t happy. “Where did you get this footage?”

I took a deep breath. “I found someone who knew someone who worked at the station. I paid five thousand dollars for this footage.”

My dad’s eyes widened. “Interesting.”

“I talked to Brian, and he said that we can threaten to counter-sue to get the reporter to back off his charges.”

“Agreed. What else?”

“I think we will make an official statement and post this footage up for the public.”

My dad’s eyes narrowed at me. “Why?”

“It shows Max not responding until the reporter threatened you and your family. That shows that Max is a team player and I think it’ll go a long way with the public.”

“It goes a long way with me, but I think it’d upset your mom. So, the answer is no. I want this tape buried.”

I bit back my argument. My dad was protective of my mom and he’d never budge on it. “What about Katrina?”

“You think she tipped the reporter off?”

“Don’t you?”

My dad let out a weary sigh. “Keep your eye on her.”

“I want us to reinstate Logan’s media ban and when I determine it is the right time, I want him to have a sit-down interview with a friendly reporter.”

My dad shook his head, but admiration tinged his voice. “You’re learning fast.”

“Failing pisses me off.”

My dad laughed. “Give our legal team the green light to go after that reporter and his news station. Tell them not to hold back, but I mean it. That tape stays buried.”

“Okay.”

I gathered up my papers.

“Rory.”

I turned back. “Yeah?”

“Good job.”

By noon, our legal team had banned the reporter from entry to our stadium until further notice. They also threatened to ban the entire NCR news station from our stadium and all future events, unless Gary, their reporter, dropped his charges and their network posted a public apology.

The news station responded within thirty minutes and complied. Gary gave a heartfelt apology for misleading the public and they suspended him without pay.

I couldn’t wait to tell Max. I brought my lunch down to the rink to watch the team practice, hoping to catch Max afterwards to tell him the good news. I studied Max as he worked. Despite what happened last night, he worked hard while they skated speed drills. It did not surprise me that Max led the team with his speed.

A sharp whistle blew.

The team stopped, all of them breathing hard.

Baxter, the head coach, called out, “Since Logan is dragging his ass, we will start from the beginning.”

Groans sounded from the players.

Baxter continued to ride Max’s ass. I watched Max push himself harder than anyone else, but his best was never good enough for Baxter.

“Logan, you look asleep out there.”

“Logan, how hungover are you?”

“Logan, why do you bother to show up, if you won’t do the work?”

They did the same drill again. And again. And again. Until they were all dripping with sweat and heaving for oxygen.

When they moved to an offense drill I breathed a sigh of relief.

Three offensive players with the puck, played against two defensive players and a goalie.

I watched as Max wove up the ice with the puck. Max waited to pass but the defense covered the other two players. Max shot the puck and easily hit the net.

The whistle pierced the air.

“Logan, you think you’re a one-man team? Learn to pass the puck. This isn’t the Logan show.” Baxter yelled, shaking his head in disgust. “Again.”

I watched as Max started with the puck again. The defense covered the other players. Max took advantage of a split second that his teammate was free. The pass was perfect and the other player scored.

The whistle echoed.

“Logan! Why would you pass? You were wide open,” Baxter yelled, his face red in anger.

The players exchanged glances. Baxter was being a complete d**k. We all knew it.

Max circled back to Baxter.

Baxter ignored him and blew his whistle. “We’re done for today. Thanks to those of you who mentally showed up to this practice. Your commitment to our team has not gone unnoticed.”

The team and the other assistant coaches filed off the ice. It concerned me that Baxter could not remain professional with Max.

Baxter called out. “Logan.”

Almost off the ice, Max made eye contact with me with an empty expression. He stopped short and skated back towards Baxter.

At that moment, I realized that Baxter had no idea I was listening.

“I don’t give a s**t who you are or how many goals you score, you can’t come to my practices and act like you don’t give a shit.” Baxter skated around him and then stopped in front of his face. “You think you’re such hot s**t, but you’re a washed-up loser.”

Max visibly swallowed but didn’t speak.

“If you don’t get your ass in gear and act like you’re part of this team, I will ensure you get cut. Do you understand that? Everyone is sick of your spoiled and lazy attitude.”

Max’s eyes narrowed.

“Watch your back. I don’t want you on this team and I can’t wait until you’re gone.”

Baxter skated away, leaving Max to stand there. I waited until Baxter disappeared off the ice before I headed down the stairs to the ice level. Max met me at the gate. His jaw was tight, and he seemed to be holding back a lot of emotion.

“What was that about?”

“Nothing,” he took off his helmet. Sweat ran down his face. His hair was dripping wet. Not the picture of someone who was lazy or coasting.

“Max, I saw you out there. You work harder than anyone else out there.”

“It’s fine.”

“I don’t know what kind of head games Baxter’s playing but he’s talking bullshit. Everyone else raves about your performance in practices and games.”

His eyes met mine. He was trying to gauge if I was telling the truth. “You’re our most valuable player. Let no one tell you otherwise!”

“Max!” a voice called. From behind me, Katrina headed down the stairs. She wore nude heels, a black pencil skirt, and her blouse was almost see-through. I clenched my teeth.

“Hey Katrina,” resignation traced in his voice.