Page 86 of Want You

“Sadly, yes.” He leaned back and withdrew his phone from his pocket, tapping and scrolling before passing it to Octavia. “I also got connected with someone who is a nonprofit consultant. He’s one of the trainer’s brothers and said he’d be interested in chatting whenever we’re ready.”

Octavia read through the email he received from Adam before he left the rink and smiled.

“I’ve heard of this guy. He’s had his hand in some of the best run charities in the city. He works closely with one of the women’s shelters my friend does pro bono for.”

“Shannon mentioned that he got involved with this stuff after a friend in university had been involved in something horrific. I don’t know what but clearly it left an impression.”

Between Nathan’s news and the email, Octavia realized she wasn’t going to be able to focus much more on studying, so she started to pack up. Once her books were stacked neatly at the end of the table she held her hand out to him.

“I need to shut my brain down, do you want to watch a stupid movie or something?”

There was an expectation that he’d suggest something more physical, but he just nodded and let her lead him to the living room.

“Pick something and I’ll grab some water.”

“Do we still have ketchup chips?” he asked before she was out of the room.

Warmth spread through her chest at the use of we. They’d come a long way from that first night. The woman who wouldn’t dare date a hockey player. The man who never spent the night in someone else’s bed.

“We do,” she confirmed.

Four Months Later

Nathan sat in the makeup chair fidgeting so much that Octavia reached out and took his hands. He smiled up at her, running his thumb over the back of her fingers, giving her left ring finger a bit more attention than the others.

There wasn’t a ring there, not yet anyway, but he wasn’t shy about talking about how much he looked forward to sliding one on.

“You sure you want to do this?” she asked as the makeup artist removed the bib that had been protecting his crisp navy suit.

“Yes,” he assured her, his brown eyes calmer than the rest of him. “I kind of wish I insisted that we did this at the cottage.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that,” she teased. “But every time we went back you’d think about this interview and I don’t want you to have to think about it there.”

“I’m never going to stop thinking about this interview, Autumn. Thinking about how it’s something that shouldn’t be needed. Thinking about how I’m the first to do something like this. Thinking about all the things that could have been prevented if anyone had done something earlier on.”

“I know, honey.” She slid her chair closer, somehow keeping her hands from reaching out for his face. “We can’t change the past though, no matter how badly we wish we could. But you’re doing something that may change the future. You’re respected in this world. Loved by teammates and fans alike. I can’t think of anyone better to take this stand and I’m so fucking proud of you.”

Nathan didn’t seem to have the same reservation about taking her face in his hands, his thumb dragging along her bottom lip.

“I’m only in this position because you gave me the courage to do it. I don’t know where I’d be without you but I know I wouldn’t be here. I’d still be behind the times. Still a silent member of the boys’ club. Watching you take on this new role. Getting to be on a team with you. Fuck,” he breathed out heavily, looking skyward. “Octavia, you changed my life in a way I never could have imagined.”

Octavia wanted to keep throwing the compliments back at him but knew this would go on forever, so she let his words sink in without trying to match them with her own. He knew how she felt, she didn’t have to keep saying it in different ways.

“You’re welcome,” she said, laughing when he smiled at her.

Ten minutes later, Octavia sat off to the side of the set, watching as the man who’d been unable to sit still in the makeup chair appeared calm, cool, and collected while the interviewer introduced him. Media training hadn’t squashed Nathan’s personality like it tended to do with so many players. No, it just grounded him.

He’s all mine, she thought, trying to hide her smile, knowing where the conversation was about to go.

Nathan was asked if he had been the anonymous player interviewed a few months ago. He was. He was asked to expand on his answers, asked to provide real life examples of things he’d heard or been part of. He’d reiterated that while he hadn’t ever acted like some of his teammates, he’d stayed quiet when he knew about things and that was something he’d never forgive himself for. As for immediate actions, he revealed that several players were putting forward a motion within the league to expand the player code of conduct that was seriously lacking in areas that would prevent abusers from being able to play professionally.

In the end, they asked him if he thought change was possible. Would any other players come forward? Would more survivors? How did he feel about the players involved being placed on leave from the league?

All he could do was say he hoped change was on its way, but he couldn’t see the future. He couldn’t even see where the Hockey Seven case was going since the trial was set for late the following year. He also admitted that a few players had reached out to let him know they’d be interested in speaking up but had their reservations. And if more survivors came forward, while it was hard to acknowledge there would be more, he hoped they’d be listened to and taken seriously.

As for the players, if they were found to have done any of what the survivor had claimed—and he believed her—they should be banned for life and face actual consequences for their actions.

Lastly, he was asked about his why.