Page 164 of Cross Check

It’s under my sister’s name, and you’ll be in a suite. Figured that was the best solution for privacy.

I’m going to shut up now. I’m so proud of you. Good luck!

Emmy Hartwell

I heard a rumor that you’re in Baltimore to interview for the head coach position?!

Holy shit, Amelia!!

I’m not allowed to have favorites, but I’m crossing my fingers everything goes well today. Having you on the staff would be a DREAM.

“Thank you so much for taking the time to come out and talk with us.” Darcy Benderson, the owner of the Baltimore Sea Crabs, gestures for me to take an open seat at the conference room table. “How was your flight?”

“Not bad. And the hotel is wonderful. I appreciate the accommodations.” I glance around the boardroom with large windows and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. “Your arena is so impressive.”

“We have investors and minority owners who have a lot of belief in the program despite us being a new team. They want to make sure our athletes can perform at the highest level, and one way to do that is by providing world-class facilities.”

“I’m jealous of the weight room I saw on my tour. And the ice baths and sauna? I think that’s a first.”

“I’m here to win, and that means cultivating the best of the best, from the locker room layout to players and coaches,” Darcy says. “It’s going to take us a few years to establish a roster that will be consistently competitive in this league, but we’re going to make it happen. I’m sure of it.”

“Confidence is half the battle,” I say, and her lips turn up in a cunning smile.

“That’s why I asked to meet you. You’ve always been sure of yourself too.” She drums her perfectly manicured nails on the table. She can’t be much older than me, in her mid-thirties with gorgeous dark brown hair and sharp green eyes that tell me she’s comfortable being around influential people. “I’m tired of the NHL being a men’s league. My ex-husband owns the New York Thunder, the fucker, and I want to do everything in my power to remind him I belong in this space just as much as he does. Recruiting Emerson Hartwell to play for the Sea Crabs was my top priority, and hiring you was my second priority.”

Darcy opens a leather portfolio and slides a stack of papers my way.

“One thing you should know about me, Amelia, is that I get what I want. And I want you to be the head coach of this team. I’m aware you have a good thing going in Denver after last season’s Stanley Cup win, and I understand if you decide to stay with the Goldminers until the end of the season.” She lifts her chin toward the papers. “That covers your base salary plus bonuses, a five-year plan for aggressive free agency signings and the cap space we’re working with. Also included is the proposal for a PWHL team and our community engagement with current ticket sales numbers. If there’s anything I didn’t include that will be pertinent to your decision, I can get it to you.”

My throat goes dry as I scan the first sheet of the contract.

Darcy is offering me three million dollars a year, an unheard-of salary for a first-time coach. My hands shake as I run my finger down the page, words like guaranteed and commitment to a female-led organization jumping out at me.

It seems too good to be true.

“Darcy. This is unfathomable,” I say.

“I didn’t fly you here to do the generic bullshit interview where I ask you to tell me about a time when you felt like a leader. I know your potential. You’re capable. Your track record speaks for itself, and I don’t care that you’ve never held a head coaching position before. There’s room to learn, and we can do that together.”

“I’m going to make mistakes. It’s going to take a while for the men in the locker room to trust me and see me as someone in a position of power,” I admit. “A year. Maybe two. I can’t promise the same camaraderie you’d get if you hired a man for the position, and I⁠—”

“A man was coaching this team before, and the locker room didn’t respect him.” She tips her head and stares at me intently. “The players and training staff that come here know exactly what I hope to accomplish in Baltimore, and that includes bringing on a coach like you.”

“This offer is more than generous, and I want to make sure I do my due diligence with reviewing all the information you’ve presented to me. Can I get together with my agent before circling back with an answer?” I ask.

“Absolutely. My personal number is on the top of page one, so feel free to call or email me with any additional questions.” Darcy smiles. “We’d make a great team, Amelia.”

“I think we would too.” I match her smile and stand. She offers me her hand, and I’m not surprised by the firmness in her handshake. “I promise you’ll hear from me soon.”

We exchange a few more pleasantries, and I’m shown the location of my would-be office. The space offers a view of the Baltimore skyline and the baseball stadium a block away, and contentment settles between my shoulder blades as I head back to my hotel.

You belong there, a voice whispers, and I don’t try to shut it out.

After a quick text to my agent to set up a call tomorrow and run through the details of my meeting, I change into a pair of jeans. I put on a hat and slip my phone in my back pocket.

I should look over the logistics of the offer, but I’m bursting with energy. I don’t want to sit in my room all night. I want to see Grant and share the news with him.

At the Stars’ arena, I collect my ticket from the box office and scan it at the turnstiles out front. The fans are decked out in Stars gear, and I smile at the security guard who blinks twice in my direction. It’s as if he’s trying to place me, but I pass through the metal detector before he can connect the dots.