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Money isn’t an issue. We have millions in the bank. Lily and I have always been sensible with our investments and savings. “Okay.”
“I want you to use this break to decide whether you want to carry on your career with the Eagles.”
“Oh.”
“It’s all or nothing, Ash. No in-between. You’re a dynamic head coach, the best in the NHL, in my opinion. You’re young, relatable, the guys love you, and you’ve won us the Stanley Cup three years in a row.” It’s unheard of in the modern era and hasn’t happened in decades.
“I didn’t win the Cup; the team won.” It’s the truth.
He wags his finger at me. “Yeah, but without you…” Shaking his head, he adds, “You’re special, Ash. The best.”
Hell, now I feel guilty about making my demands.
He lets his offer settle, then he makes sure I understand. “Work out the rest of this week. Give the guys a few days to get used to the idea of you being off. We don’t need to give them a reason why. We’ll tell them it’s personal, which we will do in a press release as well. The deal is, two months off, no pay, and if you do come back, you will resume your full-time position as head coach. And if you decide it isn’t for you anymore, then we go our separate ways.” Dustin rubs his chin.
He's right, I’m an all or nothing guy.
Shit. This seems final. “I've been part of the team since I was eighteen.”
“I know.”
“This is my family.” I’m almost too scared to agree.
“Ash, your wife is your family.”
“She’s my everything.”
“Then take the deal. Sort your marriage out and don’t be an old fool like me with an ex-wife who hates me for choosing hockey over birthday parties, and a daughter I barely know. Trust me, dating at my age is complete shit. Online dating sucks balls.” He makes me chuckle. Dustin is at least fifteen years older than me, and I have no plans on being single ever again.
“I never knew you were married or had a daughter.”
“Because I never saw them and vice versa, Ash. This place rules my life and has become my life. I have nothing to go home to.”
Yeah, that has made my decision easy. I don’t want that. “I’ll take the deal.” It’s time for a change.
“Great. Well, not great, but I think you made the right decision.”
“Do you have someone in mind to replace me?” Don’t say Brayden, I inwardly pray or Candy will kill me.
He replies quickly. “Not Brayden or Candy will serve us your nuts on a silver platter at her Christmas party.” He knew that wasn’t an option. “I need to make a few calls and have a meeting with the scouting team tomorrow. We’ll do the paperwork and press release sign off at lunchtime today for release on Sunday afternoon.”
Sunday morning for release sounds perfect. The focus won’t be on me on Saturday night’s game. Although I hope they keep Britney away from it, even at the age of thirty-four, she’s incredibly immature and I don’t trust her not to leak anything to the press.
The constant crazed look in her eyes makes me feel uneasy.
“Sounds like you have everything under control.” I feel like I just made the biggest mistake and yet the best one of my life all at the same time. It’s a mix of emotions I’m not sure how to react to.
“Can you come back at lunch and we’ll both sign off on the press release together?” Dustin asks.
Shit, I had plans with Lily for lunch today, which I will have to cancel.
I need to speak to her. Or maybe I should wait and tell her my news on Saturday night?
Rising to my full height, Dustin stands on the other side of his desk. I reach over to shake his hand. “Thank you, Dustin. I appreciate this.”
“Do great things, Ash.” He winks. I think he already knows I won’t be coming back. Sandwiching my hand between both of his, he adds, “And win that game on Saturday night. Go out with a bang, ma boy.”
Emotion the size of a bowling ball gets stuck in my throat. “Thanks.” My short word cracks.
