Page 284 of Cross Check

“Good morning,” I say, and the room goes silent.

“Amelia. Hi.” Darcy stands and offers me a tentative smile. She motions for me to take a seat, and I pick the chair at the end of the table away from everyone else.

I have the chance to make a quick escape down here should things turn south, and the space is nice.

“We have Lizette from HR joining us today,” she says, pointing to the woman across the table. “Also here from the league are Brian and Scott, who represent the NHL’s conduct review board.”

“Nice to meet you.” I nod their way while Darcy introduces the rest of the board of governors.

The tension is high. No one moves, and after I learn everyone’s name, Darcy clears her throat.

“We’re aware of the article published about an alleged relationship you had with a member of the DC Stars. Instead of speculating what’s fact and fiction, we wanted to offer you the chance to address the situation so we can have the whole story,” she says.

I wonder if there’s a person out there who would see this as an opportunity to lie and save face. All they have for evidence are grainy photos. In today’s day and age, anyone can doctor an image to look like something else. Without text messages or confirmed witnesses who can direct the league to concrete proof, they’re relying on me to provide them with answers to their questions so they can make a decision about my future.

And yet, for as much as I love my job, not a single part of me defaults to wanting to throw out bullshit theories to protect myself.

I did what I did, and I need to be honest about it.

How they decide to handle it is up to them.

“Thank you.” I reach for the glass of water in front of me and take a long sip. “The article is true. I’ve been dating Grant Everett for the last couple of years. Our paths have crossed for seven seasons, but our relationship took a romantic turn more recently. We’ve kept the relationship private in an effort to protect ourselves from something like this happening, but that’s unfortunately out of the question now.”

“Ms. Green.” Brian folds his hands in front of him. “Have you ever had any direct contact as Mr. Everett’s superior?”

“N-no,” I stammer. “Never. I’ve never coached a team that’s had him on the roster. I’ve never had any say in monetary decisions such as salaries or bonuses. The only working relationship we have is that we’re both affiliated with the National Hockey League.”

“Has a situation like this ever happened in the past?” Scott asks, and I keep my eyes on him as I shake my head. “You’ve never sought out a relationship with another player or man associated with any other team in the league?”

“No, and I’m happy to give you names of former and current players to support that answer.” I twist my fingers together. I wish the room were slightly cooler—it’s too hot in here. “My relationship with Grant started as a platonic friendship. I expressed to him numerous times that I was not comfortable in pursuing anything romantic with him, and he respected every boundary I put in place.”

“Until he didn’t,” Lizette says, and I look at her.

“I’m the one who crossed the line first,” I say. “I’m the one who initiated a physical relationship.”

“So you knew you were doing something inappropriate, and continued to do it anyway,” Brain adds.

“No. I never… I’ve never read anything that explicitly stated we couldn’t have a relationship. The CBA covers items like gambling, substance abuse, and rehab procedures, but there’s nothing listed about inner-team relationships or relationships between two individuals that operate under different governing bodies.”

“It was implied,” Scott says. “That anyone in a different position of power could not and should not pursue a relationship with another individual who would be considered less than their equal.”

I want to toss back a rebuttal about the football coach who was sleeping with one of his assistant coaches and didn’t receive anything but a slap on the wrist. I want to mention the team owner who was caught kissing someone on the training staff, but I keep my mouth closed.

It won’t help prove anything, because these men had their mind made up about me the second I walked in here.

If I do it, it’s wrong and inappropriate.

If a man does it, it’s an honest mistake, and they deserve a second chance.

The cycle continues, and I’m not going to be the one to break out of it.

“I understand,” I say.

“Where does your relationship with Grant stand now?” Darcy asks, and I’m grateful for the kindness infused in her voice.

“It’s up in the air. We agreed to not communicate until we were back from Italy. I haven’t had a chance to speak to him yet, but I plan to soon,” I say.

“The league has decided that this behavior warrants punishment,” Brian says, and this is it.