One in 2330 ~ Connor Bedard Love Story

15. I'm Done. I Quit

The next thing that happened was not what I was expecting. I expected him to yell at my face some more and tell me how I screwed the game up even further, but instead, he wound his arm back and slapped me across my face.

The shock of the blow made me stumble back a bit, but I quickly regained my composure and glared daggers at him.

"You know what, I'm done!" I shouted. "I'm done playing for a team where my head coach doesn't even respect me!"

I grabbed my bag, threw it over my shoulder and made my way towards the exit.

"Were the fuck do you think you're going?" he growled, grabbing my wrist before I had managed to exit the dressing room, halting me in my place.

Not putting up with this anymore, I whirled around, wound my arm back and straight up punched him in the face, hearing the satisfying crack of his nose breaking.

"If you really must know, I'm getting the fuck away from you, and I won't come back until Connor calls me, telling me that you have been fried." I snarled before storming out of the room, not even giving him a second glance.

I didn't really know where to go as I didn't really feel like heading back into my dressing room, I went to the one place that I knew I would be able to find someone that would support me. The visitors' dressing room.

I hesitantly knocked on the door to the dressing room, not knowing if their coach was in the middle of talking to them or something. A few seconds later, the door opened revealing a confused Anton Lundell.

"Hey, Soph. What's up?"

"Can I hang out with you guys?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure," Anton shrugged. "Why?"

"My coach's a dick."

Anton simply chuckled and opened the door further, allowing me into the dressing room. I walked in and immediately made my way over to Matthew, sat down beside him and rested my head on his shoulder.

"Okay, Soph, what's wrong, 'cause we all know that the second you initiate contact with anyone, we know you're upset. So, what's up?" Carter asked me.

"My coach's a dick." I repeated.

"Why? What'd he do?" Matthew questioned, raising my head off his shoulder to look at me properly.

So, I explained everything that had happened over the past week, from my teammates blaming me for our losses against New Jersey and them and Derek's slap to the face and me breaking his nose.

"I'm going to fucking kill that guy." Matthew snarled, getting up from the bench.

"Matt, don't. It's not worth it." I sighed, placing my hand on his arm to stop him from doing something he'd regret.

"Soph, when does your bus take you back to the hotel?" Matthew wondered.

"Not for another hour, why?"

"Because, I'm gonna drive you back to your hotel right now. You're going to pack up all of your stuff from your hotel, and you're going to stay with me tonight and for as long as you want." Matthew explained.

"Matt, I can't have you do that." I said.

"I don't care, Soph." Matt replied. "Answer me honestly, Soph. Do you want to hang out with your team right now?"

"No."

"Then get ready to leave in five minutes."

* * *

Matthew really wasn't kidding when he said that he was going to drive me back to my apartment so I could pack my stuff up and stay with him for the night. He drove me back to my hotel room and I packed up all of my stuff and Matthew brought me back to his place and allowed me to settle in for the night.

I felt bad that I was leaving Connor, Alex, Kevin and Nick, but I wasn't going to stay around with a group that constantly made me feel like shit.

I sent a group text to Connor, Alex and Kevin, telling them that I wasn't going to be coming back to the team until it was confirmed that Derek was fired.

Hawks - c.bedsy98, Soph96, Vlassy72 & KK55

Soph96

I'm really sorry, but I won't be coming back to the team for a little while. I know that the team needs me right now, but I refuse to be in a room with Derek as long as he's the coach. I will come back when it is confirmed that he has been fired, but until then, don't expect me to come to practice.
Connor, when you get back to the hotel, don't be confused when you see that all of my stuff is gone, as I had brought it all to Matt's place, and I'll be staying there for the night.
Please call me when you can confirm that Derek has been fired, as I would love to come back as soon as possible, but until then, if you ever need to find me, you'll most likely find me in Ottawa.
I'm sorry again, and I hope I see you guys again soon.

c.bedsy98

Yeah, no problem, Soph
Hope you're doing okay
I promise that the entire team stands behind you and we're going to do everything we can to make sure you come back to Chicago as soon as possible.

Vlassy72

Yeah, don't worry about it, Soph, take your time
Just don't forget about us while you're in Ottawa and abandon us for your brother

KK55

Chicago's not gonna be the same without you, Soph
Like Connor said, we'll do all we can to make sure that you come back soon
We're all gonna miss you, Soph, but we all understand. You need a break, so don't tell the management that I suggested this, but see if you can get tickets to the Global Series while you're in Ottawa.

Soph96

Thanks, guys
I don't want to be away for too long, but we'll see
Also, Connor, don't get too many points without me. I can't have you upstaging me too much, can I? 😁
I'm going to miss you guys while I'm gone, but I hope you guys can scrap out a few wins without me.

"Hey, Matt?" I called from my spot on Matthew's couch.

"'Sup, Soph?"

"You cool if I see if I can head down to Ottawa tomorrow?" I ask him, checking my phone for flights to Ottawa.

"Yeah, of course. In my opinion, going to Ottawa for a break is a lot better than hanging out with me and my crew." Matthew replied.

"Why do you say that?"

"I dunno," Matt shrugged. "It's just that you have a better connection with the guys on the Sens that you do with us."

"That's fair,"

After I had gotten the go ahead from Matthew, I quickly called up Brady.

"Hey, Soph. What's up?"

"Hey, Brady. You hanging out with anyone right now?" I question.

"Yeah, I'm hangin' with Timmy and Josh right now. Why?"

"Oh, 'cause I was wondering if you were cool with me coming down to Ottawa for a little while." I replied.

"Yeah, sure, but don't you have a game in a few days?"Brady asked, confused.

"Yeah, I do, but I'll explain everything when I get in tomorrow. I'll see you then, Brady."

"Yeah, see ya soon, Soph."

~*~*~