Page 33 of Playing the Field

The media is frothing at the mouth for this one.

A PR rep from our comms team steps up to the microphone, clearing her throat. “General Manager Brady Manson, Coach Nicholas Brandt, and Team Owner Graham Callahan are ready to take questions.”

I brace myself.

A reporter from The Toronto Star is the first to fire.

“Mr. Callahan, can you explain what happened in the final moments after the game? You were seen engaging in a physical altercation with Seattle’s number four, leading to multiple players and staff having to break things up.”

I flex my fingers under the table, forcing my jaw to stay unclenched. “It was a heated moment. Tensions were high after a tough game, and things escalated. I regret my involvement and take full responsibility for it.”

There. Clean. Controlled.

Next question.

A reporter from TSN raises his hand. “Mr. Callahan, you’ve been in the owner’s seat for just a few weeks, and this is already the second major incident involving you losing your temper. First with Elias Novak’s firing, and now this. Do you think your emotions are getting in the way of your ability to run this team professionally?”

I grip the edge of the table, forcing myself to stay calm.

I should say something polished. Something that puts the attention back on the team. But instead, my irritation rises, my pulse still running hot from everything that happened tonight—on and off the field.

“My emotions aren’t the problem,” I say, voice level. “My job is to ensure the integrity of this team, to create a culture of accountability and respect. That means making tough decisions. As for what happened on the field, I stepped over the line. I know that. But let’s not lose sight of what’s actually important—this team just took down one of the best squads in the league. Let’s talk about that.”

Brady nods beside me, backing me up. “The focus should be on how our players handled themselves tonight. They fought for this win, and that’s what matters.”

Another reporter jumps in.

“Mr. Callahan, can you clarify what triggered your reaction on the field? Was it something the Seattle player said to you?”

I exhale slowly.

Because what can I say?

That I lost my mind because a guy knocked into Anastasia? That I didn’t care about the game, the cameras, or the fact that I own this damn team—all I cared about at that moment was that she was on the ground and I wasn’t there fast enough?

No. I can’t say that.

I keep my voice even. “I didn’t like the way things played out, and I reacted poorly. That’s on me.”

A new voice rings out from the back of the room.

“Mr. Callahan, have you spoken to Dr. Bellows since the incident?”

I don’t blink, don’t react. But internally? That question hits me harder than any tackle I took in high school football.

No, I haven’t spoken to her since the tunnel. Since I kissed her like I had a right to.

Since she kissed me back before pulling away like she regretted every second of it.

“No comment,” I say smoothly because there’s no fucking way I’m answering that in front of the media.

The questions keep coming, but I don’t really hear them.

Because the only thing I can think about is how I have way bigger problems than the press.

I have to face Anastasia again.

And this time, I don’t think I can keep my hands off her.