Grant Mackenzie signs extension amid scandal.
Few would argue that Grant Mackenzie of the Columbus Cavalry isn’t one of the top young centers in the league. He’s excelled at every level of hockey and continues to do so. This year, we’ve seen vast improvements in certain areas of his game that his coaches attribute to changes off the ice.
Mackenzie’s short NHL career has been plagued with scandals from being thrown out of bars to fights at charity balls. He has never been able to get his personal life together and today, on the day of his signing, a new event from his past comes to light.
It was the summer after his rookie year in the league. Mackenzie lost his mother during the season and it affected every part of his life. Along with a few of his buddies, he went to Las Vegas.
“Most people go there to have fun,” Mackenzie said. “I went there to forget.”
Drugs, alcohol, prostitutes.
Grant Mackenzie might have been able to forget, but others never will. Travis Landow never made it back. He overdosed in their hotel room.
“We didn’t know what to do,” Derek, the third party present, said. “So I told Mack to run, and he did. I went to prison.”
“I think about it every day,” Mackenzie said. “Travis will always be with me. Since then, everything I’ve done has been out of shame or guilt. I’ve learned the hard way that that isn’t the way to redemption. I need to be better. I need to do better. I can’t let it destroy me.”
Today, Grant Mackenzie signs a contract extension. It is a two-year “show me” contract, minimizing the risk to the team if he continues to have off-ice problems.
“We were aware of Grant Mackenzie’s past when we made the offer,” says general manager John Simms. “And we have every faith in him.”
A last word from Mackenzie: “I’m going to bring a cup to this city. You can count on that.”
“It’s shorter than I thought it’d be.” Abigail grabbed the tablet from Mack and read the article again. “And nicer.”
“That would be the Simms spin.” Mack laughed, feeling relieved. The whole world now knew what he’d done, and he was glad.
The article was posted in the early hours of the morning and had since been picked up by every major news outlet.
Abigail’s phone chimed, and she scowled as she looked at it.
“Colin again?” Mack asked.
“Yeah, wants to know what I think about what you did.”
“What do you think?”
She rested her chin on his shoulder and ran a hand up and down his arm that was resting on the table. “One mistake doesn’t make the man.”
“Yeah?” He grinned down at her. “Then what does make the man?”
She smiled wickedly, and he laughed.
“Press conference, remember?”
“Yeah.” she sighed. “You might want to get dressed.”
When he didn’t move, her hand wandered lower.
Their spell was broken by the sound of his phone cutting through the tension. She stood and looked down at him as he answered.
“Hello?” he said, not bothering to read the name on the screen.
“Grant,” a soft spoken woman on the other end said cautiously.
“Elise.” He was too stunned to say anything further.
“I’ve missed you, brother.”
“Yeah?” His voice thickened.
“I saw the article.” Her quiet crying sounded in his ear. “I’m so sorry.”
He tucked his phone between his ear and his shoulder as he raised his eyes to Abigail’s.
“Me too,” he said. “You have no idea how sorry I am.”
“Labor day weekend at Dad’s?” she asked. It used to be their tradition when their mom was alive. They’d throw big Labor Day bashes.
“I’ll be there,” he said.
Neither said anything for a long moment. Time and again Mack had thought about what he’d say if given the chance to reconcile with his sister and now none of it was coming out. He coughed quietly, trying to stave off the emotions that were swirling in his head.
“Brother,” she said softly.
“Uh huh?” he responded.
“I’ll see you.”
“Yeah.” He pulled the phone away from his face. “Bye, sis.”
Mack sat still for a bit, not quite believing that had just happened.
“I just talked to my sister,” he said.
Abigail ran a hand through his dark hair, cupping his chin with the other.
She just stared at him and leaned forward to brush her lips against his.
“She knows you aren’t that other guy.” Her breath warmed his lips. “And this man in front of me is all too easy to love.”
“Was that an I love you?” He smirked, pushing the phone call to the back of his mind.
“No.” Her voice didn’t waver.
“I think it was.” He stood, putting his hands on her hips.
“You’re delusional.” She squirmed, breaking free of him.
“I don’t know.” He scratched the back of his neck and looked away. “I mean, we haven’t been together long. You don’t really know me. You couldn’t possibly be in love with me.” He turned back towards her with a grin as he spouted off the same nonsense she’d said before.
She slugged him in the stomach. “I didn’t say I loved you.”
“Why, Miss Abigail.” He rubbed his stomach. “You do wound me so.”
“Why, Mister Mackenzie, you are an idiot.”
He grinned and pulled her back towards him. “You’re losing all credibility, you know.” He brushed his lips against hers. “Stop fighting it, babe.”
“Don’t—"
He cut her off with another kiss.
“Call you babe, I know.”
He kissed her again before she ducked out of his embrace.
“Come on,” she said, straightening up and bouncing on her toes. “Time to get ready.”
“Don’t be too excited. It’s only a press conference.”
“No it’s not.” Hands firmly planted on hips, she stared him down before breaking into a grin. “This, Grant Mackenzie, is your new beginning.”
“You think so?” he asked jokingly.
“Yeah. Don’t mess it up.”
The story might be over for this group of friends, but if you enjoyed watching them overcome obstacles to be with the people they love (and if you enjoyed the hockey bits), why not check out Jesse and the Ice Princess? Click below or keep reading for a sneak peek.