Page 20 of Pucking One Night Stand

The media room is clean and sharp, big flat screens on the walls, a long conference table stretching the length of the space, and plenty of ergonomic seating pretending to make us comfortable while we get lectured.

“Watch it, man,” McAvoy grumbles, still half-laughing.

Bishy throws his arm around his shoulders. “You ready for your close-up, superstar?”

McAvoy deadpans, “If this is another ‘mic’d up’ thing, I’m out of here.”

Bishy’s gaze flicks to Cassy, then right to me, and just smirks.

Brody scans the room and drops into the seat next to me, then leans back like this is just background noise to him.

“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” I mutter.

Brody shrugs. “Better than sitting next to Thumper. He smells worse than you.”

Thumper flips him off across the table.

Cassy’s talking quietly to Riley on the other side of the room, and I catch it out of the corner of my eye as she stands up with her hands on her hips. Her presence shifts the air in the room like someone just changed the weather.

“I’m Cassy McCullum, the Aces’ new Media and Communications Manager.”

Silence. Like actual, pin-drop silence.

Mouths open. Eyes wide. Then you see it, McCullum. It finally lands.

And all the idiots try not to stare like she just announced she’s the Queen of England.

“Alright, gentlemen, let’s focus.”

Her voice is firm. But there’s a thread of nerves in it, barely there. Still, she doesn’t look at me. Not once. Like I’m contagious.

The room quiets. Mostly. Thumper’s still smirking, and Bishy leans back like he’s settling in for a bedtime story.

“We’re here to talk about expanding our player-driven media content. Fans want more access, behind-the-scenes footage, interactive polls, and a new series we’re calling ‘Roomies on the Road’.”

Riley jumps in, “So... ‘Roomies on the Road’ is simple: we pair up guys who room together on road trips and film their interactions, pre-game routines, travel habits, even the dumb arguments over who gets the best pillow.”

Bishy laughs. “So basically, exposing how much of a disaster Thumper is?”

“Fuck you. I’m a fantastic roommate.”

Bishy shakes his head. “Jesus Christ. You left all your gear in the hotel bathroom last trip.”

Cassy smirks. “Exactly the kind of content fans love.” Her eyes flick to me for barely more than a second. But there’s fire in it. Electricity. Tension that creeps up your spine and wraps around your throat.

I lean back.

Just another girl. Just another night. That’s it. Even if I was easing my dick into—

Michael, the Senior Comms guy, chimes in, shattering my flashback. “We’ll also be running fan polls, who’s the funniest guy on the team, who’s the worst roommate, who eats the weirdest pre-game meal...”

I lean forward. “What’s the deadline?”

Cassy checks her notes. Doesn’t even flinch. “We want the first episode of ‘Roomies on the Road’ ready by the start of next month’s road trip. That means filming starts next week.”

Musa, one of the content creators, nods. “We’ll need players to be available for short interviews and casual footage. Nothing scripted, just natural interactions.”

Peters lifts an eyebrow. “So, basically, just us being idiots?”