Page 38 of Playing the Pucking Game

Esme pauses, moving her mouse before ripping her eyes from her screen and focusing on me.

“Don’t worry, he’s already let me know. I’ve updated your contact details already.”

“Oh,” I say, deflating a little. “It’s only temporary, and I don’t actually want to be there. I don’t like him very much and—” I cut myself off when an amused smile spreads across her lips. “Sorry, you don’t need to know any of that.”

“It’s okay.” She laughs. “I’m sorry to hear about your apartment. If you need our support with anything, please just ask. We might be a sports franchise, but we’re also a family, and you’re a part of that now. We look after our own before anything else.”

“That’s…” Emotion burns up my throat and tickles my nose. “Thank you.”

“Anytime. Hailee, our PR Director, is the one who knows everything around here. She’s the best one to ask if you need to know anything.”

“Funny, you’re not the first person to say that.”

Esme chuckles. “She’ll be glad to know she’s got a reputation as a busybody.”

“All a part of the job, I guess.”

“Okay, so,” Esme starts as she scrolls through whatever is on her screen.

“Personal details, emergency contact, ID…all good. Okay, next thing is passes.” She pulls her drawer out and retrieves an ID card, sliding it over to me. “This will give you access to everywhere you need in the building. Keep it on you at all times, and if you lose it, you must report it immediately.”

“Okay,” I say, taking it and studying the awful mug shot gracing the front.

After passing me a holder and lanyard, she moves on to my new laptop and iPad.

After ensuring I can log onto both and am successfully into my email, almost an hour has passed.

A firm knock sounds on the door, and after Esme calls out, another familiar face pokes his head inside.

Jarad Lennon is the Vipers Head Athletic Trainer. He’s probably in his fifties, with salt and pepper hair and beard, and glasses that make his eyes look a little larger than I’m sure they are. Along with the General Manager and the team’s Head Physician, he was in all my interviews. From the very first moment, I felt like he was on my side. Without knowing, he helped put me at ease right from the very beginning, and it’s no different now.

“Are you finished with my new trainer, Es?” Jarad asks.

“Parker, are you happy with everything? Do you have any questions before I set you free?”

I shake my head, thinking for a moment. “No, I think I’m good.”

“Okay then. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, and if you do think of anything, you know where to find me.”

“Thank you,” I say, standing and clutching my new IT equipment to my chest.

I walk silently beside Jarad as we move toward the elevator that will take us down to where the medical staff offices and training rooms are.

“So we haven’t scared you off yet then?” he teases.

“It’ll take more than a few hockey players to do that,” I shoot back.

“Glad to hear it, Donnelly.”

He walks me through everything. I may have been back here numerous times before, but it’s good to see it all with fresh eyes. He introduces me to everyone we pass—some of whom I already know, but many I don’t. He shows me where my desk is, and my locker for my things. We’re about to hit the training room whereDillion is working with some of the guys when an excitable blonde comes racing toward us.

“Parker Donnelly,” she announces. “By the end of the day, everyone is going to know your name.”

I groan, making Jarad chuckle.

“Good luck with this one,” he says. “She tried to convince me to do some viral dance last week. Do I look like a man who dances?”

“Parker, I’m Brooke,” she says, holding her hand out that’s not clutching a cell. “Content creator. Are you ready to let the world know about your new position?”