“DeMarco. Is it true he’s being traded to the Thunder?”
Coach squints. “Not to my knowledge. Why?”
“Because I won’t play with him. Period. End of story. It’s him or me.” I don’t know if Coach is up to date on the terms of my agreement with the team, but if not, he’s about to find out.
Coach just looks confused. “I’ll be honest with you, West—I haven’t heard anything about it, but if there are trades to be made before the deadline, there could be something in the works no one has mentioned yet.”
“There are only two teams I’ll agree to be traded to,” I say quietly. “The Knights or the Sidewinders. That’s it. It’s in my contract. And I have a gentleman’s agreement with Mr. Carrier that DeMarco wouldn’t be traded here for at least two years.” I fold my arms across my chest. “I don’t mean to be a jerk, not to you at least, but I need to know what’s going on because I’m not willing to play with him.”
“Look, if I have any say in it, he’s not coming here,” Coach says quietly. “I don’t know what your history is with him, and if you have an agreement with Mr. Carrier, then you need to be talking to him. Not me.”
I nod, annoyed but resigned.
“What’s really going on?” he asks after a moment. “This isn’t like you, and I’m willing to bet it’s about more than the possibility of DeMarco being traded to the team.”
“Serena and I are done,” I admit. “I guess I’m not handling it well. And then this DeMarco thing.”
“I’m sorry,” he says. “Is there any saving the relationship?”
“I don’t think so. She’s moving to L.A. She got picked up to do the reboot of Dusty Peaks. You ever watch it?”
“Hell yeah.” He nods. “Viggo and I loved that show. Damn, I’m really sorry. You not interested in going back to your old team?”
“Not a chance in hell.” I shake my head and then sigh. “I’m sorry—I shouldn’t be taking my bad mood out on you.”
“That’s partly what I’m here for. You want to talk about it?”
I hesitate.
Do I?
Not really.
There’s nothing to say.
She made her choice and I’m making mine.
“Not yet,” I say. “I’m not ready. Gotta lick my wounds in private.”
“Understood. But if you change your mind, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
“Listen, I don’t know what’s happening with regard to DeMarco but I’ll find out, okay? Try not to overthink things. We’re on track to make the playoffs, and the chemistry both in the locker room and on the ice is really good. There are no plans to fuck that up. Trust me when I tell you I have no interest in bringing on a shit disturber like DeMarco.”
That’s good to hear.
We talk for a few more minutes and then I head back to my room.
I got a text from Serena while we were talking but I haven’t read it yet. I wait until I’m in my room and sink down on the edge of the mattress.
SERENA: I’m not sure what you’re talking about—would you call me please?
I think about that for a long time as I stare at her text.
What’s the point?
They wouldn’t have put out a press release about her being on the show if the deal wasn’t inked, so what is there to say? She’s moving to L.A. and I absolutely am not. I’m also not particularly interested in a long-distance relationship.