Page 293 of Cross Check

I set my bowl down, preparing for the worst: There’s a rumor the league is going to fire me. Every player hates me. The fans are calling for my immediate removal from the team.

“He and the boys have been working behind the scenes to propose an addendum to the CBA. They’ve been studying law books and consulting with lawyers,” Piper explains. “They want to include an addition to the players’ contract that prohibits them—prohibits anyone—from being punished if they’re in a relationship with someone in the league.”

“What?” I whisper. “He’s doing that?”

“Yup. There’s a lot more to it—Riley tried to read me the whole thing and I swear to god my eyes glazed over—but I think Grant is pushing it as a new bylaw. He said if the league doesn’t respond favorably to it, he’ll start boycotting games next season. The media lost their minds after those comments.” Lexi grins. “He’s a determined one, isn’t it?”

“He also had some very choice words for the commissioner when they met to discuss how long he was going to suspended. Grant told him to fuck off and then hung up on him. I’m kind of jealous he got to say what all of us were thinking, and apparently the commissioner called out of work the next day because he was so embarrassed.”

My heart somersaults in my chest.

For the first time in what feels like years, I have an ounce of hope.

He’s creating a bylaw for me.

He’s trying to find a way for us to be together, and the acknowledgement that he’s not giving up on us makes my hands shake. I have to grip the table because the room starts to spin.

“Trying to come up with a bylaw must be taking hours.” I wet my lips. The words crack in the center. So does my heart. “All while trying to make a playoff push? And telling off the commissioner we all hate? He’s… gosh.” I tip my head back and stare at the ceiling. I’m hoping the bright lights help me not to cry. “I love him so much.”

“He loves you too, Amelia. I’m sure this separation must be so hard for you—especially because you didn’t end the relationship voluntarily—but he’s still fighting for you.” Emmy puts her hand on my arm. “I have a feeling he’s going to keep fighting for you until he gets what he wants.”

“I didn’t know something like this was possible,” I admit. “There are votes that usually have to happen. Hoops people have to jump through.”

“There’s been a lot of backlash during your absence from the Sea Crabs,” Piper tells me. “The difference in punishment based on your genders has made many people upset. Same crime, but not the same length of suspension? There’s outrage, and rightfully so.”

“From what I’m hearing in the locker room, several players throughout the league also took your suspension really hard. I think there are a lot of relationships the league doesn’t know about, and guys are worried the league has too much control over our personal lives in a space where no laws were broken,” Emmy says. “And I agree with them.”

“It makes no sense to me,” Sienna adds. “How did they think they were in the right?”

“The way the men on the conduct review board talked to me…” I trail off. “They wanted to fix the problem as quickly as possible and with as little damage as possible. I hate that I didn’t stand up for myself, and now that I’ve had time to reflect, I’ve considered hiring legal counsel to assess if they’re even allowed to suspend me for a situation like this.”

“I love playing in this league, but if this is the way they’re going to handle situations that have no impact on anyone else, I might have to think about what my future in the NHL looks like.” Emmy sighs. “It’s really frustrating.”

“How many games are left in your suspension?” Lainey asks.

“Two,” I say. “I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and as soon as I’m back behind the bench, I’m going to keep my head down. I’m going to lead my team to the Stanley Cup again, and if anyone has a goddamn problem with it, I’m not going to care.”

“We’re here to support you however we can, Amelia,” Madeline says. “Women have to stick together. We’re on your side, and we’re going to do whatever we can to help get you back on your feet.”

“Thank you. Thank you all so much,” I mumble, gratitude and appreciation for these women sweeping over me. “You all are amazing, and I’m so lucky to have so many kind people in my life. The days are hard, but I’m going to get through it. I have to, because I’ve always gotten through it. I won’t let this new obstacle they’re throwing at me stop me from chasing my dreams.”

We spend the rest of the evening together with food, dessert, and stories. I didn’t realize how much I needed the six of them together in one place until they made it happen, and now that they’re here, I know the only way I come out on top is with them by my side.

Their company has me ready to fight, and knowing that Grant is fighting for me too has me convinced I’m the luckiest woman in the world.

NINETY-THREE

AMELIA

LATE MARCH, THIS SEASON

The drive to the house is gloomy. Gray skies, drizzling rain. The wind won’t stop howling, and leaves scatter across the road.

I can’t be too mad about it. It fits my mood of lonely, depressed, and absolutely fucking miserable.

My suspension lifts tomorrow, and while I’m excited to get back to work, I’m also dreading it. The idea of slotting back into a routine that doesn’t include Grant makes me sick, and the hope I had about the rumored bylaw passing gets weaker every day.

There’s been no news or updates. The league hasn’t outright rejected it, but they’re also not approving it.