Page 92 of Puck Fest
I can’t live with every game, every interview, every moment being about us instead of hockey.
But I also can’t live with losing Danny.
Except the relationship is already over. The videos made sure of that. The league investigation. The media. The scrutiny.
We can’t survive it. Not with everyone watching. Not with this much at stake.
All that’s left is making it official. Trying to salvage what little control I have left.
I start typing.
Statement from Noah Enver, Director of Communications: I acknowledge that I was briefly involved in a personal relationship with Danny Masterson that began after his probation period concluded. I recognize that this relationship, while not in violation of any policies, created an appearance of impropriety given my role in supervising his community service. The relationship has ended. I am cooperating fully with any league investigation into the matter. I apologize to the Oakland Raptors organization, our fans, and the hockey community for any confusion or concern this situation has caused.
Every word feels like a knife twisting in my heart.
I send it to Marshall. He approves it within fifteen minutes.
“Release it,” he says. “Before the afternoon news cycle.”
I post it on the team’s official channels at 2:47 PM.
Within minutes, it’s everywhere.
The comments come fast.
“Briefly involved” = damage control
Coach’s son says it’s over but bet it’s not
Notice he doesn’t say when it started during probation
PR speak for “we got caught”
I close my laptop and stare at my phone.
I didn’t warn Danny before I released the statement. I didn’t tell him I was publicly announcing our break up.
But when I pull up his contact, my finger hovers over his name.
What do I even say?
My phone buzzes with a text from Marshall.
Saw the statement. Now let the dust settle.
I stare at the message.
But dust can’t ever settle since I just lost the only person who ever mattered to me.
CHAPTER 24
DANNY
I findout my relationship is over from a fucking Instagram post.
I’m sitting in my apartment, suspended from the team, banned from the arena, watching my phone blow up with notifications I’m trying to ignore, when Carter texts me.
Dude. Did you see Noah’s statement?
