Page 38 of Penalty Kick

Mierda…

Unless somehow what had happened at the ice cream shop had made it back to the team. After having words with them, the group of boys followed his directions—allowing Tanner to order and covering the cost of his ice cream. They’d even done everyone a favor and disappeared after placing their own orders. If they had recognized him, no one had said anything. Even the staff. The most he’d heard from the girl behind the counter was a compliment for putting the boys in their place and her handing them a coupon for some freebies on their next visit. The rest of the evening had gone without a hitch. Or so he’d thought. Didn’t mean there hadn’t been someone else around, watching it all unfold. Or worse, catching it all on video.

Just like in Vegas.

Dash’s stomach twisted. If there was video of the incident, that could be the end of his career with the Rising. Hell, the end of his career period. The Vegas video had resurfaced once or twice since its initial debut, a random reshare drawing attention back to it, but nothing that would have caused much outcry. Unless he missed something.

No, this had to be about his outburst in the ice cream shop. He stood by what he did. To do over again, he wouldn’t change his actions. What those boys said was wrong, and they needed someone to tell them it wasn’t acceptable. But that didn’t mean that a video of him getting in the face of a teenager—good intentions or not—was going to be viewed in a positive light if posted to social media. Especially not after drunken salsa dancing. This was all he needed.

Still, he followed Gunnar into the little office off the front of the hall leading to the locker room. The space was small—just big enough for a desk and two chairs. Gunnar pointed to the chair opposite the desk, indicating for him to sit. Swallowing hard, Dash gently lowered himself down, as if there was something sharp waiting for him in the seat. For all he knew, there was.

“Heard about what happened when you went for ice cream the other night,” Gunnar stated.

And there it was. Fuck. Dash swallowed hard again, nodding. What did he even say to that?

“It is not what you think.”

“It’s not?”

The skeptical look on Gunnar’s face sent a wave of nausea through Dash. This was going even worse than he thought. Reminding himself not to panic, he scrambled for something—anything—to say. That’s when it hit him.

This might not have to do with Tanner at all.

From day one Gunnar had told him to stay away from Talia. Every time the two were in the same room, or within fifty feet of each other, it had seemed like Gunnar had been there with the warning. Until he started working with the Unified team. Since then, they’d gotten all sorts of alone time. Or, well, semi-alone time. Hell, even Felicity had helped facilitate some of it at Bunz the other night. Why it was just registering that Gunnar could be just as pissed off about Dash hanging around his daughter as he could be about his outburst, Dash didn’t know. Probably because he’d been too busy enjoying all the time with Talia.

Either way, he was screwed. And he had no idea which thing to make excuses for.

“It had been a rough day, so Talia and Tanner asked if I wanted to join them for dinner, as a way to help cheer me up. After, I suggested ice cream. It was harmless, really,” he started, trying his hardest not to ramble. Last thing he needed right now was to sound like an idiot. “Then those boys showed up, and when they said what they did to Tanner…”

He trailed off, the anger surfacing again. He didn’t want to lose his cool in this moment. That would solve nothing.

“You don’t have to justify your actions to me,” Gunnar told him. Sitting back in his chair, the bulky former defenseman seemed to relax, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You did the right thing.”

I did…???

“I am still angry,” Dash admitted. “Tanner did not deserve that. None of the players on the Unified team do. They are good kids.”

“They don’t, and I agree, it’s a great group. They also look up to you, a lot. And what you did for Tanner…it means a lot. To each one of them, even if they don’t know that you did it. That is what being a good role model is about. That is the stuff real men are made of.”

Lightness wafted over Dash. Hearing his coach praise him felt better than he could have imagined.

“That is the kind of player I want on my team,” Gunnar continued. “I will admit, I had my doubts after what happened in Vegas. I get it, you’re young, and you love to have a good time. Believe it or not, I remember those days.”

Biting back a laugh, Dash nodded. The media might have focused on Cullen Cruz and his antics over the years, but it was well-known that Gunnar and Cowboy were never far from the superstar player. The trouble the three of them must have caused was probably legendary. Although he was sure none of them would admit to it.

“Cowboy and I talked it over, and we believe that you are ready to fully rejoin the team. You are still required to finish your community service hours working with the Unified group. But, when we travel to Portland week after next, you will be dressing for the game.”

“Will I start?” Dash asked. It was a bold question, but one he couldn’t hold back.

“We’ll see. I’ll make the decision on the starting eleven closer to, based on what I see in training and after reviewing film of Portland.”

“Thank you.”

Gunnar stood, signaling the end of the conversation. Dash followed, turning to go, but Gunnar’s voice stopped him, hand hovering over the door handle. “One last thing, Dash.”

Here it came, the same warning as always.

“I believe in you. So, don’t fuck up again. Got it?”