Page 9 of Defensive Indifference

Andrew walks to the front door with me and pauses.

“I should mention, too, that Quade Dawson will be there.”

My heart leaps into my throat. “The team owner is coming to the meeting? Andrew, I’m cooked.”

“He was in town anyway, meeting with the Arctic’s coach and manager. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. He was probably planning to check in on the Sharks too.”

Our billionaire owner and his two brothers, also known as Dawson International, not only own the Sharks and the local hockey team, the Arctic Foxes, but several other sports teams along the east coast. With them looking to expand their empire, they can’t have a tarnished guy like me making headlines and ruining their plans.

“Yeah, I don’t know. Andrew, what if—”

He settles a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “Koa, you’re a golden player. The Sharks need you, and Dawson knows that. At worst, he’s going to give you orders to lay low and disappear for a while.” He chuckles and drops his hand. “It’s not like he hasn’t had his fair share of public incidents. I think he’ll understand.”

I don’t ask what incidents he’s referring to, mostly because I’m not sure I want to know. The Dawson brothers are a bit of an enigma, and it’s probably for the best. All I know is, they’re Christians who infuse high standards of morality and charity into their teams. I’ve seen more than one player cut for questionable behavior, and for as long as I’ve been a Shark, I haven’t heard a single rumor about anything they have ever done that danced on that line of morality.

“Go to Spencer’s, get some sleep. Meet with Coach and Mr. Dawson in the morning, tell them your plan to make amends with Evalina, listen to what they say, and agree like a good soldier. You’ll get through this.”

I nod and head to my borrowed car, praying Andew is right. If he’s not, I’m not sure how I’ll even pay my mortgage, let alone ensure my sister has a place to live and her horse back. I won’t even be able to take care of the horse!

Inside the car, I take a long, deep breath to refocus. There’s nothing more I can do but pray.

“Good morning, Koa. Have a seat, and we’ll get right down to it.” Coach motions for me to sit at the conference table in the Sharks’ media room. It’s where journalists get the scoop, interview players, and spend their time seeking the best stories.

Well, have I got a doozy for them.

Quade Dawson sits at the head of the table reviewing a portfolio, probably my record, and nods a few times. Hopefully, my past behavior will bode well for his decision making today.

I try to decipher the general mood by Coach’s expressions, but he’s stoic as ever and holds a bit of an icy exterior in meetings. Generally, he’s impossible to read on a good day, let alone under such circumstances. He takes the seat across from me, flanking Mr. Dawson, who looks up from the portfolio and offers me his hand to shake.

Taking it feels a lot like sealing my fate, but I manage to give it a hearty shake anyway.

“First, Mr. Keaton, I want to extend my sincerest sympathies for what you and your sister must be going through. I understand what it means to come from a wealthy family, and more so what it’s like when our parents allegedly misuse the law for their benefit.”

Allegedly sounds a lot like he’s already decided they’re guilty, just like every news outlet and social media keyboard warrior in the whole country and then some.

“Nevertheless, we have to look at the team’s image and how we can maintain it positively. I’ve looked over your portfolio, and I have no complaints about your performance or behavior these past years that you’ve been with the Sharks.”

He pauses, so I push out a throaty, “Thank you, sir.”

“I’d like to know if there is any way we can support you through this?” he asks.

I’m not expecting this question, let alone any sort of sympathy. He’s a kind man, godly, but he’s also been known to cut people from a team so fast their heads spin. Coach nudges my shin beneath the table, pushing me to respond.

“Uh…I’m not sure what you mean, exactly,” I admit.

“Your sister, does she need protection? I know from experience, these things can get messy. I’m willing to send someone to keep watch over her while you’re away from…where are you staying?” His brow furrows and he checks his paperwork again. “They seized your home, yes?”

“They did, but we’re staying with Spencer Pruitt. He’s a longtime friend.”

Mr. Dawson looks over the folder once more. “Oh, yes. I’d forgotten that. You came up together through the ranks from kindergarten? That is a long friendship.” He lifts his gaze back to me but keeps his face down.

“It’s dear to me. I’m not sure I would have made it pro if not for him.”

“We were happy to sign you both, and I have no regrets.” He closes my portfolio and clasps his hands in front of him. “Now, about the incident at Sparkly’s”

I open my mouth to explain, but Coach nudges me beneath the table again.

“I see no reason to discipline you for a simple misunderstanding. Gracious, we all have them, don’t we? If you’re willing to issue a private apology, I see no reason we can’t put it behind us.”