“Good, I could use the rest.” I knew coming out here I’d be mostly by myself because Cooper still had to work. My Kindle is loaded and already waiting.
“I have a meeting scheduled after morning skate.”
“With who?” I ask, almost knowing what it would be about.
“Charles, my agent Scott, and Coach.” He takes a gulp of his water.
“Cooper, I think we should just forget everything.” I grab his hands, bringing one hand up to my lips. “I think we made our point.”
“Not going to happen. After our season opener, Charles called me to discuss how inappropriate the interview was. He wanted me to just pretend that I was with Monica.”
“What do you mean? Why didn’t you tell me?” I’m a little bit fucking pissed he didn’t think he should tell me this.
“Because it was an open/closed conversation. It was never going to happen. Monica and I were over. Finished.” He takes off his hat, running his hand through his hair. “I’m not fucking backing down. She pulled shit in front of the kids. That isn’t okay, and I plan on letting him know there will not be another fucking time.”
“She’s not worth it,” I state.
“Damn fucking straight she isn’t, but you are.” He finishes his water. “I have to get going. I’ll be back around three. Will you take a nap with me?”
“Only nap, Stone. You need your strength for the kick ass game you’re going to play tonight.”
Cooper
I killed it in practice today. Skated hard. Just having her here I feel at peace.
I’m now freshly showered and ready to take the bull by the horns. The bull being Charles. If he thinks he can strong-arm me, he’s got another thing coming to him.
I walk out of practice, sending Parker a text just because I can. Then I make my way to the meeting they set up in the coach’s room.
When I walk in, my agent Scott is already there. I greet him with a chin up. He knows how this is going to go. He isn’t at all surprised by the turn of events. After the red carpet fiasco, I laid my cards on the table to him. I wasn’t backing down. I had a no trade clause, so they had no choice but to not trade me. I was also planning on finishing this season on a high and walking away. It was time. Meeting Parker just made me come to peace with it.
When you have lived and breathed hockey for so long, it’s hard to just walk away, but now I know what I’m walking to, and just that makes me feel at peace.
Coach is also sitting in on this meeting as the ‘neutral’ side. I sit next to Scott. The mood is tense. Coach doesn’t even want to be here, but he has no choice. It wasn’t a suggestion.
It takes two more minutes before Charles enters followed by Monica, making my blood fucking boil. I’m almost ready to jump out of my chair just as Scott puts his hand on my arm. Looking over, he smirks and shakes his head no.
I have no doubt that he is on my side.
Charles takes a seat next to Coach with Monica sitting beside her father.
Charles is the first to speak. “It has come to my attention that there was an altercation between you and my daughter.” He pauses to look at Scott. “An altercation that should have never happened.”
“You’re right,” I start, “you are one hundred percent right. This should have never happened. I have a contract. One that states I get certain privileges.”
“So this hissy fit you are throwing is about what exactly? You have to agree it would be in poor taste for your ‘friend’ to be in the wife lodge,” he says condescendingly, making me snap.
“I believe the only one making a hissy fit is the brat of a daughter you have.”
Charles sits up straight.
“Not only did she block my future wife from the lodge, she tried to verbally attack her in front of her children.”
“I think this has gone on long enough. You guys had a fight, a tiff if you may. It’s time to cut to the chase. Monica is very sorry for whatever you think it is she did. Let’s just start over.”
“You are right,” Scott states. “This has gone on for too long. Cooper dated Monica. That is over.”
I look at Monica and see her roll her eyes.
“Really, Cooper, isn’t this enough? I learned my lesson,” she states. “I’m willing to look past this and start over.”
“Have you lost your mind?” I stare at her. “Look past what exactly? That I don’t love you? That I never did? Look past that Parker will be my wife, something you would have never been?”
“That’s enough, Stone,” Charles says.
“No, it hasn’t even begun to be enough. Your daughter crossed lines. Lines that I drew. She knew we were over, she knew that whatever we had wasn’t anything to write home about. She took it upon herself to fuck with Parker and in return it means she fucks with me. You want to fuck with me, bring it on. But let’s be honest, Charles, I’m never going to marry your daughter, ever.” I lean forward.