Page 50 of Check & Chase (Breakaway #1)

Chase

Chapter Thirty-One

E mma’s sleeping beside me, her breathing slow and even, but I haven’t closed my eyes all night. I can’t stop my brain from spinning through worst-case scenarios, looking for a way out of this mess. A way to protect her.

Everything I touch turns to shit. That’s the thought that keeps circling back. I try to make things better and only make them worse.

The bedside clock reads 5:17 a.m. Too early to get up, but too late to hope for any meaningful sleep.

Emma shifts slightly, her arm tightening around my waist. Even in sleep, she seeks me out, trusts me. The weight of that trust is crushing when I know how badly I’ve failed her.

The last few days have been a nightmare. From the moment Natalie Winters called about the ethics complaint, everything has spiraled. I handled it all wrong—keeping it from Emma, confronting Carina, breaking my word after giving it.

Now Emma’s career is in jeopardy, and it’s my fault.

I slip carefully from her embrace, needing to move, to breathe. The ring box sits in my dresser, hidden after our fight last night.

I grab my phone, slipping out to the hall so I won’t wake Emma. My agent never sleeps, and sure enough, Phil answers on the second ring .

“This better be good, Mitchell,” he growls.

“It’s about the ethics complaint. I need your advice.”

He sighs heavily. “I was wondering when you’d call. The league office contacted me yesterday.”

“What did they say?”

“That you’re in deep shit. This isn’t just about the complaint anymore, Chase. Your little confrontation with Carina Reed has the Bears’ management losing patience.”

My stomach drops. “What does that mean?”

“It means they’re worried about off-ice drama affecting team performance. They’re worried you’re becoming more trouble than you’re worth.”

The words hit like a physical blow. “So what do I do?”

“First, you stop making scenes in public,” Phil says sharply. “Keep your head down and focus on hockey.”

“And that’s supposed to help Emma how?”

“You want to help Emma? Then stop throwing gasoline on the fire. Every time you draw attention to the situation, you make it worse for both of you.”

He’s right, and I hate it.

“Let the investigation play out,” Phil advises. “Cooperate fully, provide any documentation that supports your side. The truth will come out, Chase. But it takes time.”

After ending the call, I lean against the wall, feeling trapped. My phone buzzes with a text.

Tyler: Heard about the ethics complaint. Need to talk. Meet for coffee?

Despite everything, Tyler’s been trying to make amends. And he knows Carina better than anyone.

Me: Sunrise Café at 6.

I dress quietly, leaving a note for Emma: Gone for coffee with Tyler. Back soon. I love you.

Tyler is already there when I arrive, sitting at a corner table with two cups of coffee.

“Wasn’t sure how you take it,” he says, nodding to the extra cup. “But I remember Emma saying you like it black.”

“What’s this about?”

Tyler leans forward, lowering his voice. “I know who helped Carina file the complaint.”

My pulse jumps. “Who?”

“Andrea Flores. She’s an admin in the medical department, works with billing and patient records. Carina befriended her months ago, made her feel special.”

“How do you know this?”

“Because I was there when they discussed it,” Tyler admits, guilt flashing across his face. “About a week before Carina and I split. She was drunk, talking about how she was going to ‘make you pay.’ Said she had an insider who could pull patient records, appointment logs, anything she needed.”

Anger surges through me. “And you didn’t think to warn me?”

“I didn’t take it seriously. Carina was always making dramatic threats when she was drunk.” He looks genuinely remorseful. “I figured it was just talk.”

“Well, it wasn’t. And now Emma’s career is on the line.”

“That’s why I’m telling you now. Andrea has access to the scheduling system, treatment notes, all of it. She could have doctored records, made it look like Emma was still involved in your care even after she recused herself.”

“How does this help us? ”

“The ethics committee will review all the records, right? If you know what to look for—inconsistencies in dates, forged signatures, unauthorized access logs—you can point them in the right direction.”

It’s more strategic than my usual approach. “Why are you helping us?”

Tyler looks down at his coffee. “I’ve done a lot of terrible things. To Emma, to you, to a lot of people. I can’t undo any of that. But I can try to be better going forward.”

The drive back home is a blur of thoughts and plans. When I pull into my driveway, Emma’s car is still there. I find her in the kitchen, wrapped in one of my hoodies, making coffee.

“How was coffee with Tyler?”

“Surprisingly helpful. He told me who’s been helping Carina. An admin in the medical department named Andrea Flores.”

Her eyes widen. “Andrea? But she’s so sweet.”

“Apparently Carina’s been grooming her for months. She has access to all the medical records, scheduling systems. Could have fabricated evidence making it look like you were still involved in my care.”

Emma sets down her mug, her brow furrowing. “If that’s true, there would be a trail. Access logs, timestamps that don’t match up.”

“Exactly. We can direct the ethics committee toward those inconsistencies during the investigation.”

She studies me for a moment. “This is actually a smart approach.”

“Try not to sound so surprised.”

She doesn’t return my smile. “Chase, I’m still upset about yesterday. About you confronting Carina after promising you wouldn’t.”

The brief moment of hope deflates. “I know. And I’m sorry. It was stupid and impulsive.”

“I just don’t understand why you can’t trust me to handle my own problems.”

“I do trust you—”

“No, you don’t. You think you need to protect me, to fix everything. But all you’re doing is making decisions that affect both of us without consulting me. ”

“You’re right. I’ve been treating this like something I can fix on my own, when it’s ours. Together.”

Some of the tension leaves her shoulders. “That’s all I’m asking for, Chase.”

My phone buzzes.

Donny: Coach called an emergency meeting right now. Don’t be late.

“I have to go. Team meeting.”

“On a Sunday?” She frowns.

“Apparently so.” The timing feels ominous.

When I arrive at the Bears facility, I spot Coach talking with Mr. Vaughn, the legal counsel. Their expressions are grave.

In the team meeting room, most of the guys are already gathered, an unusual tension in the air. No one’s joking around. All eyes turn to me when I enter.

Coach enters, followed by Mr. Vaughn and the team’s general manager, Mr. Kingsley. That’s when I know this is serious.

“Thanks for coming in on short notice,” Coach begins, his voice unusually somber. “As most of you are aware, we’ve been dealing with some off-ice issues involving one of our medical staff members and a player.”

Every eye in the room shifts to me briefly.

“The situation has escalated with the league’s ethics commission launching a formal investigation. While we believe this will ultimately be resolved favorably, the timing couldn’t be worse.”

He pauses, exchanging a look with Kingsley that sends a cold shiver down my spine .

“In light of these circumstances,” Kingsley says, taking over, “we’ve made a difficult decision. Mitchell, you’re being placed on voluntary leave during the upcoming road trip.”

“Voluntary leave?” I repeat.

“A cooling-off period. Time for the initial investigation to proceed without additional incidents. You’ll rejoin the team when we return to Pinewood.”

“So I’m being benched for dating someone.”

“For creating a public spectacle that’s becoming a distraction to the team,” Kingsley corrects, his tone hardening. “Your confrontation with Carina Reed, your kiss cam stunt, your growing reputation for off-ice drama—that becomes the team’s business when it affects our image and performance.”

I want to argue, but recognize the futility. They’ve already made their decision.

“Fine. Voluntary leave. For how long?”

“The road trip is seven days,” Coach explains, looking genuinely regretful. “Use the time wisely, Mitchell. Get your stuff in order.”

Seven days off the ice. Seven days watching from home while my team plays without me.

By the time I reach my car, I know what I have to do. The clarity is terrifying but absolute.

Emma is waiting when I return home, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern as she reads my face. “What happened?”

“I’ve been put on ‘voluntary leave’ for the road trip. Seven days off the team, effective immediately.”

“What?” She stands, shock and anger warring on her face. “They can’t do that!”

“They can, and they did. Apparently I’m a ‘distraction’ and need to ‘get my stuff in order.’”

She sits beside me, taking my hand. “This is my fault. If we hadn’t gotten involved…”

“Don’t blame yourself for this. The only person at fault is Carina.”

“What are we going to do?” she asks, her voice small.

I look at her, really look at her, memorizing every detail of her face. “I think we need to take a break.”

She stiffens beside me. “What?”

“Not for real. Just publicly. Until the investigation is over, until you’re reinstated. We need to give them what they want—distance, professionalism, no distractions.”

“You want to pretend we’re not together?” Her voice rises. “After everything we’ve been through?”

“I want to protect your career. And right now, our relationship is threatening that.”

“So I’m just supposed to what? Move out? Ignore you? Pretend the last few months never happened?”

“Just temporarily. Just until the investigation clears you. Then we can be together openly again.”

“This is insane. You’re letting them dictate our relationship, our lives.”

“I’m trying to save what matters most. Your career, your reputation.”

“By throwing away what we have?”

“It’s not throwing away anything. It’s a strategic retreat.”

Emma stands, pacing the living room. “I can’t believe you’re suggesting this. After all our discussions about facing things together, about not letting Carina win.”

“Think about it logically,” I plead, keeping my voice steady.

“The ethics commission is investigating our relationship for professional misconduct. The Bears have put both of us on leave because we’re creating drama.

Every day we’re together publicly is another day that feeds into the narrative Carina’s created. ”

“So we just surrender?” she asks, tears gathering in her eyes.

“We outsmart her. We give the appearance of doing what they want, while fighting the investigation properly. Once you’re cleared, once your job is secure, we can be together again without this hanging over us. ”

Emma shakes her head, wiping angrily at a tear that escapes. “I can’t believe this is happening. After everything, after we finally got together for real, you want to walk away.”

“Not walk away. Step back. Temporarily.”

She backs away from my advance, wrapping her arms around herself. “It feels the same to me.”

“It’s not,” I insist, desperation leaking into my voice. “I love you, Emma. More than anything. That’s why I’m willing to do this, to suffer through this, if it means protecting your future.”

“And what about our future? The one we were planning together?”

The ring box flashes in my mind, a cruel reminder of how quickly dreams can shatter. “It’s still there. Waiting for us on the other side of this mess.”

She studies me for a long moment, her green eyes swimming with tears. “I can’t do this. I can’t play these games. It’s not who I am.”

“Emma…”

“No, Chase.” She holds up a hand, cutting me off. “If you think separation is the answer, then fine. We’ll separate. But don’t expect me to pretend it’s just for show. Don’t expect me to wait around while you decide when it’s safe to love me again.”

Her words cut deep. “That’s not fair. You know that’s not what this is about.”

“Do I? Because from where I’m standing, it looks a lot like you’re choosing the easy way out.”

“There is nothing easy about this,” I counter, an edge entering my voice. “You think I want to be apart from you? You think this isn’t killing me?”

“Then don’t do it,” she pleads. “We can fight this together, Chase. The right way.”

“We’ve tried that. And look where it’s gotten us. Both suspended from our jobs, our relationship under investigation, our careers in jeopardy. ”

Emma lets out a bitter laugh that cuts right through me. “You know what’s funny? We started off fake dating, and now we’re fake breaking up? Except this time it’s real, isn’t it?”

The parallel hits me hard. She’s right—we’ve come full circle, but in the worst possible way.

“I should go,” she says, her voice breaking.

“Em, please. Just think about it. We don’t have to decide anything right now.”

She steps back, avoiding my touch. “I think you’ve already decided, Chase. And maybe you’re right. Maybe we do need space to figure out what really matters to each of us.”

The finality in her voice terrifies me. “Don’t leave like this.”

“How else am I supposed to leave? You just broke my heart.”

She gathers her things—the small collection of items that have accumulated here over our weeks together. A toothbrush, a phone charger, the hoodie she borrowed last night. Each item she takes feels like another piece of me being torn away.

At the door, she pauses, looking back at me with eyes that have gone from stormy to hollow. “I hope this works out the way you think it will, Chase. I hope protecting me was worth it.”

And then she’s gone, the door closing with a soft click that somehow sounds more final than any slam could have.

I stand frozen in my living room, the enormity of what just happened washing over me in waves. This wasn’t the plan. Instead of helping the situation, I’ve driven away the one person who matters most to me.

I collapse onto the couch, my head in my hands, a horrible emptiness spreading through my chest.

I did this.

In my desperate attempt to save Emma’s career, I may have lost Emma herself.