Page 27 of The Big Puck

Gavonza pushes open the door as we reach it and almost barrels into Krissy and me. Jason moves the stroller out of his way in a quick move, saving them both from a collision.

“You. You’re still here,” he says to me. He glances at the baby and squints his eyes. “This is no place for a baby.”

“We were just leaving.” I squeeze Jason’s arm to stop him from saying anything because I know he wants to jump in and defend me or take the blame for the baby being here, but I don’t want him getting in trouble with the owner on my behalf, even if he is a colossal ass.

Gavonza’s nose flares like he smells something bad, and I wonder if Krissy needs a diaper change. I smile and congratulate her silently on her impeccable judgment and perfect timing.

Gavonza barrels past us and heads straight for Spencer, who is sitting on a bench.

“Coach Logan. See me in my office as soon as you’re finished here.” Gavonza’s words are clipped, and he smiles through gritted teeth.

I hope to hell I didn’t get him in trouble by bringing Krissy here. I get the idea that he’s not on the best terms with Gavonza. Shit.

Chapter 11

SPENCE

While Gavonza lectures me about keeping focused on hockey and how the rink is no place for babies, I let my mind wander. So, of course, it takes a stroll down Lainey Lane. She saved me from the awkwardness of rebuffing Tina Gavonza’s obvious and inappropriate interest.

But why the fuck did I entertain for a second letting anyone think there was something more between Lainey and me when Tina made the assumption?

Must be playing house with her every day fucking with my head. And since she’s not much older than Tina, Lainey Hall is just as wrong to tangle with—and maybe more so—because she’s just mature enough and tempting enough to be dangerous.

Gavonza must notice my lack of attention because he raises his voice.

“Don’t mistake my lack of commitment to a long-term contract for a lack of attention to your performance.” He pounds his fist on his desk. “I plan to hold you accountable every step of the way. And I don’t mind making sure everyone knows how I feel about your performance.”

He’s threatening to use me as a scapegoat to justify the coaching switch to old Smitty at the end of the season. He’s assuming we’re going to suck.

“Don’t worry about my performance unless you’re worried about having no rope to hang me with. I intend to work hard. I am working hard, and the team is going to be well-prepared, well-coached, and playing like a well-oiled machine. I will get every last ounce of excellence out of this team, and that’s a promise.”

He snorts. “Whatever. The win-loss record is only one measure. You know more than one coach in the professional sports business has been fired for personal behavior issues.”

Every muscle inside me goes rigid, and my teeth clench with outrage. The familiar sharp pain knifes through my shoulder blades like an old enemy blindsiding me with a cross-check.

He nods and grins with repulsive arrogance, his intentions crystal clear.

Fuck.

“Same answer. My behavior outside the arena will be as focused and impeccable. In fact, there will be no such thing as personal behavior outside my job because there will be nothing I do this season besides concentrate on my job and care for Krissy.”

The lift of his mouth bares his teeth, and he almost snarls. “Krissy, your baby, is all I need. That baby is going to be your downfall, and there will be nothing you can do about it.”

I have no idea what kind of angle he has in mind, but the sudden leap of my heart to my throat in response to his threat is automatic because I know he’s serious. I know he’s dirty enough to create some kind of conflict, to push his agenda and spin things and make them look ugly.

It’s how he got majority ownership of the team. I’m sure of it. He used some kind of threat or blackmail, or leverage as it’s called in polite circles. Otherwise, there’s no way he would have gotten his two partners to agree to the silent part of the terms, giving him all the control of the team, not for the kind of money he put in. Hockey News Rap ran an article that questioned the notion that his business expertise had the extra value his partners needed. Supposedly, his so-called business acumen is why he’s President and CEO despite not putting up the kind of investment that would normally be required.

I’m staring at Gavonza, watching his fingers twitch. My silence is unnerving him. Good.

“Thank you for giving me valuable insight into your business style,” I say quietly.

It’s true. Every bit of knowledge is power, and I soak it all in and intend to use it. I’ll approach how I manage Gavonza the same way as I approach managing the team.

First step is understanding a person, their strengths and weaknesses. Second step is making a plan to use the strengths and overcome the weaknesses to achieve the goal.

The only difference between the team and Gavonza is that, while I’m on the same side as the team, I’m opposing Gavonza.

So, I’ll use his weaknesses against him and to my advantage in achieving my goal, the team’s goal. But I’ll need to figure out how to overcome his strengths, which are mainly his money and ownership control.