Page 4 of Say It Isn't Snow

Sorry for not telling you. It all happened fast. When I took it to management, that little shit Chet had already gotten there ahead of me. They didn’t believe my side of things. I guess since the rookie’s family owns one of the club’s biggest sponsors, they’d rather drop me instead of losing the money for that deal and Chet at the same time.

Davy

Goddamn. Club politics are bullshit.

Caleb

Don’t I fuckin’ know it.

Davy

I’m making Chet eat the ice at practice tonight. Where are you right now? Let’s go grab a bite to eat.

Caleb

Thanks, but it’ll have to be the next time I see you. My flight just landed in New York.

Davy

Oh shit. You left?

Caleb

No point in staying there when I didn’t clear waivers. If no other team is biting on me to buy out my contract, my agent wants me close by while he works his connections. Otherwise, I’ll most likely be sent down.

The other teams must view me as a liability, despite all the work I’ve put into my career. If I’m lucky, Trevon will negotiate a new offer that keeps me playing at the NHL level.

Davy replies again, but I swipe out of the conversation before reading it. I’m not in the mood for platitudes when it’s not like it’s a skill issue that’s burning my career to the ground. I made it through my rookie years and a trade. Then I solidified my place on this team with dedication, and my focus one hundred percent on honing my game.

This is where it gets me. Fired like I’m the bad guy, not Chet.

Swiping a hand over my mouth in agitation, I shuffle off the plane with the flow of passengers and keep my head bowed until I reach baggage claim.

As pissed off as I am about this mess…I don’t regret my actions that landed me here. I’d do the same thing again in a heartbeat, because it made my blood boil to see the cocky rookie harassing the girl he was trying to take home. She wasn’t interested in Chet, but he wasn’t taking no for an answer. WhenI intervened and offered to escort her home safely, Chet started a fight with me that he couldn’t finish.

He’s the one with the fucking conduct issues. Not me.

I keep myself distracted by checking in with my family’s group chat, scrolling back through the messages I’ve missed since I turned my phone off last night.

Dad

Mom made your favorite, kiddos. Except none of you are here, so I get it all to myself now hahaha.

Layla

Jokes on you, Dad. I know the recipe by heart and make it for dinner once a week.

Dad

[GIF of Homer Simpson compilation yelling Doh!]

Elijah

Seriously, who taught him where the GIF keyboard is? I just wanna talk…

Lyla

Yeah, that was me. No regrets. [Laughing emoji]