Page 8 of Puck Fest
Even if I have to drag him through the process kicking and screaming.
CHAPTER 3
DANNY
Twenty-four hours ago,I was signing autographs for kids. Now I’m about to go into a meeting with a guy who probably irons his underwear, waiting to find out if I still have a career.
I show up outside the conference room at 8:55 because being late to a meeting with the PR guy who controls whether or not I get suspended seems like a bad idea. I’ve got a large coffee from the deli down the street, opting against the arena coffee because I’m not a masochist.
Noah Enver’s already here when I twist the door handle and walk inside. Shocker.
He sits at the head of the conference table with his laptop open, tablet next to it, and what looks like a three-inch-thick folder of papers. He’s wearing another expensive suit, dark gray this time, and he looks like he slept eight hours and woke up ready to ruin my day.
I look like I slept in my truck. Which I didn’t, but I might as well have.
“Mr. Masterson.” He doesn’t look up from his screen. “You’re early.”
“You said nine.”
“I did. Most people interpret that as ‘arrive at 9:05 and make excuses.’”
“I’m not most people.”
“No, you’re the person who assaulted a fan on camera yesterday.” Now he looks up, his dark eyes narrowed. “Sit down. We have work to do.”
I sit across from him and put my coffee on the table. “You always this charming in the morning?”
“I’m not here to be charming. I’m here to keep you from getting suspended.”
“The league hasn’t even reviewed the situation yet.”
“The league is reviewing it right now. I have a call with them in forty-five minutes.” He slides a piece of paper across the table. “This is your statement. Read it.”
I pick up the paper and scan the words. It’s corporate PR speak, the kind of non-apology apology that says sorry without actually admitting anything.
“I regret that my actions at yesterday’s Puck Fest event caused concern,” I read out loud. “I take full responsibility for my conduct and am committed to representing the Raptors organization with professionalism and respect going forward.”
I look up. “This is crap.”
“No, it’s carefully crafted language that acknowledges the incident without admitting legal liability.”
“It doesn’t say anything about why I did it.”
“Because ‘why you did it’ opens us up to a debate about whether your actions were justified. We’re not having that debate.”
“The guy was harassing Tate. Using hate speech. That context matters.”
“Context matters to you. The league cares about optics.” Noah leans back in his chair, his back so straight it’s like he’s got a pole shoved pretty far up his ass. “Do you know how many phone calls I fielded last night? Seventeen. From sponsors, mediaoutlets, and concerned parents asking if the Raptors condone violence.”
“I don’t condone violence. I condone protecting my teammates.”
“By throwing fans into barricades.”
“By stopping a drunk asshole from putting his hands on someone I care about.”
“Noble. Also illegal.”
“He shoved me first.”
