Love Faces Off

Chapter 18

The next morning they found themselves waiting in Mr. Kwatski’s office. Raegan and Nick had agreed no more pretenses. Nick had assured Raegan he had a plan that would allow both of them to keep their careers and stay with the Thunder. They sat beside each other. Their fingers entwined. Raegan knew it wasn’t professional but she needed the support for what the morning held. Pete Leblanc and Coach Collson sat on the opposite couch. Mr. Kwatski was behind his desk. They were just waiting on the team’s attorneys to arrive.

Mr. Kwatski cleared his throat, “I want us to first discuss the matter with Tidewater, especially since it appears we may have a stalking issue with his moving into Raegan’s building. After we have a plan of attack we will discuss the relationship between the two of you and how it effects the team and possibly this situation with Tidewater.”

The attorney entered at that moment and said, “It doesn’t help her case I can tell you that. This morning pictures of you two out in Miami were leaked to TMZ.”

Raegan shut her eyes and said, “Am I never allowed to have a relationship? I don’t get it he tried to r**e me but I’m the one that is on trial here.”

Attorney softening a bit, “It would be different if it wasn’t with a player and frankly, with a player that has a reputation with the ladies. Who was recently traded because one of those relationships went south.”

Raegan looked at Nick.

Nick hung his head, “It was never officially said that was why but the owner’s niece was not happy when I ended things. A week later I was in Tampa.”

The attorney handed them copies of the pictures that TMZ were broadcasting. They were the night of their dinner out. The night in Miami, when Nick had thought someone was watching them.

“There is even a video of a dance you had….does that ring a bell?”

They both nodded. It had been a beautiful moment that Tidewater had ruined.

The attorney told them, “Listen, there is nothing wrong with any of these things on their own. But coupled with his accusations it will be tricky to defend but it is doable. I’m not going to let this jackass ruin this team or the two of you. We have everyone digging up as much dirt as possible on him and what we are finding is quite disturbing. I suspect there may be other victims. I have no doubt in a court setting we will win. And there is a good chance we can stop the publishing of this memoir of his. BUT we are losing the battle in the media.”

“Do you have a plan to change that?” Mr Kwatski asked.

“I do but I don’t think any of you in this room are going to like it. We need to hold a press conference. The team needs to release an official statement but beyond that, Raegan needs to tell her side of the story. Publicly.”

Pete and Nick both shouted, “NO WAY!”

Nick jumped up and started pacing the room

“Do you have any idea how vulnerable that will make her?” he asked the attorney.

Raegan softly, “I’ll do it. What did you have in mind?”

“Angel, you can’t.”

“Raegan, are you sure about this?” Pete demanded.

She looked back and forth between them both, “I’m tired of living in fear of him. I know what happened to me. If I tell my side maybe other people that he harmed will come forward and we can stop him once and for all. I’m tired of hiding. Nick, you have showed me there is more to life.” Turning back toward the attorney, “What did you have in mind?”

“We call a presser today, invite all the big stations and papers in town. We put out general statements. Then we do one exclusive interview where more details of what happen come out. We will talk about you becoming a survivor and even finding love after such a traumatic event. We use the very things he is trying to discredit you with, to prove how strong you are.”

Raegan got up and walked to Nick.

“I can’t do this without you.”

Nick reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Everyone agreed to the attorney’s plan. He left to go arrange the press conference and draw up the talking points. He left clear instructions for Nick and Raegan to come up with a combined statement and clear boundaries on what they were ok with sharing and what was off limits.

This left Coach Collson, Pete, Nick and Raegan in Mr. Kwatski’s office. Mr. Kwatski called for the Head of the Athletic Division, Dr. Brannon, to come to his office. Mr. Kwatski also dismissed Pete from the rest of the meeting. Pete gave them a sympathetic look and left.

Once Mr. Brannon arrived Mr Kwatski began, “Well, clearly with the pictures and video being released the cat is out of the bag on this situation between you two. Can I ask how long it has been going on?”

Nick answered first, “To be honest, I fell in love with her the moment I saw her at intake. But the part you are asking about is about four weeks. But we have had no contact since returning home from the road.”

“Why is that?”

Raegan figured it was her turn, “You could say a difference of opinion on how we could stay together and not lose our careers. I was willing to resign. He didn’t want that. He was willing to sacrifice way to much and I wouldn’t let him. I broke up with him because I thought that was the only answer.

“I see. Did either of you know about this?” He asked Coach and Dr. Brannon.

Coach Collson answered, “I had my suspicions, but it seemed to be a consensual affair. It did not effect either of their performance of their duties. So I did not see a reason to speak up.”

Dr. Brannon add, “I received a call from another employee filing a complaint about the matter. I was not apart of this road trip but I received no other complaints. The one filing the complaint was clear that Raegan had continued to do her job above standard but he felt he was obligated to report it to me. This past week had been busy and I had not decided how to move or if I needed to move forward on the matter.”

Mr. Kwatski came around to the front of his desk, “The main reason we have had this rule was so every employee felt safe at work. I did not want anyone in my employ to feel pursued by unwanted advances. Then after what happened to you four years ago, I dug my heels in. I also wanted to insure quality care for all my players. I didn’t want one being prioritized over another because of a love attachment. It is hard enough sometimes for athletic trainers to watch the beatings the players receive. It is even harder for their spouses or significant others to watch it. But to combine the two, to be a player’s trainer and their romantic interest would be very hard on a person.”

The room remained silent for a few moments. The Nick spoke up, “I think the best course of action would be for me to announce my retirement at the end of the season.”

Raegan interjected, “Nick, I’m not going to let you do that! If you retire, I will resign. Mr. Kwatski, is there no other options here?”

“Well, what you are both proposing is not an option at all. You are my new Assistant director and you,” to Nick, “retirement at the height of your career, are you mad? The situations we were trying to avoid with the rule have been avoided. Raegan works with total professionalism and for the last month has treated the players all equally. As the new AAD she will not have direct contact with players as she has in the past. She will still oversee PT and Nutrition but will normally watch games in the box with the other family and executives. So there is little chance of favoritism happening. It is very clear to me that you are both willing participants and no one is being held in this relationship against their will.”

“Obviously until the mess with Tidewater is settled the relationship would have to continue anyways just to avoid anymore tabloid gossip. But I see no real reason it can’t continue regardless, provided you both want that. I will say, I expect you both to follow the rules concerning family visits on the road. While it doesn’t happen often, we do have certain trips that family is not allowed on the trip or in the players’ rooms. Your position with the team, Raegan, allows you more interaction with players, I do not want that taken advantage of. If other players can not see their spouse or girlfriend, then I will expect you and Nick to remain separate as well. Am I clear?”

Nick and Raegan both agree. It all seemed very reasonable. Collson and Brannon also agreed to these terms. They did disclose that at present they would appear to be living together given the situation with Tidewater living next to Raegan. All parties agreed that this was the safest arrangements right now. Raegan and Nick were excused from team requirements today so that they could work with the attorney and prepare for the afternoon press conference.

As they left the office, Nick continued to hold her hand and just kept squeezing it. When they got to the elevator it was clear he had something on his mind.

“Nick, what’s wrong. Are you having second thoughts? It’s ok if you want to walk away from this.”

Nick grabbed her and kissed her.

“Once again. Ms. Moore. I love you. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. I wanted to make sure that this was really what you wanted. And for you to consider that once this is all settled,” he hesitated. “I’d like you to think about us continuing to live together. I know it is very soon into this relationship but we have basically been living together on the road any way. It is just a thought. I can’t imagine not falling asleep with you every night or waking up to you each morning.”

Raegan was speechless. That was not what she had expected. “I’ll think about it.”

“If I’m being honest, I don’t like that our relationship will now be so public. I have liked having you all to myself. Every relationship I have ever had has been photographed and stalked by the paparazzi. It is always a problem.”

Raegan smiled at him, “You were also dating, if you can call it that, women who sought the attention.”

“That is true.” He admitted, “I had the feeling several times that they tipped the paparazzi off to where we would be. It made it impossible to be romantic. I hate being watched like that. I know weird coming from someone who plays in front packed crowds. But putting on a show in hockey for fans isn’t the same as people staring at you while you try to be close with someone you care about.”

Raegan wrapped her arms around him. “I don’t want our relationship on display for everyone either. It will probably be bad for a little while, until this all dies down. But honestly this town has a way of protecting their players. The media here are known for keeping a distance and the fans want their players to be comfortable being in the community. From what I’ve seen it is the national rags that are the issue right now. We just have to wait this out until there is a bigger story and we become old news. Besides I’m perfectly alright with dates that have us staying in.”

“It is such bad timing with the playoffs starting.” He hung his head, “I’m going to need to talk to the locker room. Apologize a head of time for the coverage it will get.”

Reagan agreed, “We don’t meet with the attorney until 3pm. It’s only 11 now. The guys should be in the locker room getting changed from morning skate. Why don’t we go talk to them now?”

“You want to come?”

“I’ve known most of them longer than you. And this is all because of me. I should be there to field the questions they might have.”

Raegan was nervous as they exited the elevator on the locker room level. This could go either way. The Thunder were known for being a drama free team. They prided themselves on being focused on the game and not letting off the ice issues enter the locker room.

The locker room was loud as usual, but when Nick and Raegan walked in, hand in hand, things quieted down instantly. For a few moments everyone just looked at them.

Then from the back Igor Letzky shouted. “Guess Bell’s new nickname is Ice Breaker.” Everyone cheered as he continued, “It’s about time! I know I for one am glad Ms. Moore found a good guy. Sad it wasn’t me.” He clutched his hand to his chest in mock heart break. Everyone laughed. Raegan let go of a breathe she didn’t know she had been holding. The team gathered round to congratulate the two of them.

Andre Cluck came up to Raegan. “ I never got a chance to apologize for what I did in Miami. I had way to much to drink, and that doesn’t justify my actions. That isn’t who I am.” Raegan smiled and gave him a hug. “It is water under the bridge”

Nick got everyone’s attention. “Thank you all. I know I haven’t been with the team long but you have made it feel like home.” He grabbed Raegan’s hand, “As some of you know this situation is more complicated than just a player and a staff member dating. I don’t know what you have seen of this Tidewater situation-“

Another player, “Tidewater was an ass to everyone. That dude wasn’t going to last long here. We stand with Ms. Moore. He was awful to any woman around him.”

“Thank you for that. But because he has decided to spew his hate publicly it will be more than just Raegan and I fielding questions. Going into the playoffs, I know we all want to stay focused on the game but there is no doubt this will spill over into the interviews you all do.”

Pete spoke up now, “We have your back. We have already met with Coach and devised a plan. If asked, we will all publicly show support for Raegan but we will refuse to give any details of your relationship beyond being fully supportive and excited for the two of you. It isn’t the local press we have to worry about. They have always respected our privacy and wishes for a normal life. It will be the national organizations that will have a learning curve on how we handle the press here.”

Raegan squeezed his hand and whispered, “It will all be ok. We are one big family here.”