Page 3

Blair

New day, new me.

My nose and cheeks hummed in the cold air as I finally let Silver off the hook and put down my camera. We had some great action shots for his personal social account, and some that would go straight into the file for promotional use.

The phone call with my mother the night before still hung heavy over my head, but after a couple hours of sleep and two venti lattes from Starbucks on my way in, I was determined to shed the negativity of the night before and focus on what I loved. Hockey.

A shaggy head of dirty blond hair on a ridiculously tall body made me grin. Waving hello, I skated toward Cavanaugh to see how it had gone with the class he told me about the night before… only to realize he wasn’t alone.

The silken dark hair on a slightly shorter, though no less built, body shouldn’t have been a surprise, but maybe I needed a little more coffee before I dealt with that particular player.

“You’re here early,” Oscar said as I opened the gate and resolutely avoided his friend’s gaze.

“No rest for the wicked,” I quipped. “But hopefully, there’s more coffee in my future. Are you headed in to get changed? We can do some stills before training starts.”

Oscar’s eyes were warm as he clapped me gently on the shoulder, but as he opened his mouth, another voice cut in.

“Sounds great.” The deep timbre sent an unwelcome shiver of pleasure through my body. Despite his surname and obvious Irish features, his accent was all American and far too pleasant, considering my adamant dislike of the man.

“Actually, I was talking to—”

“I’ll just need a minute to kit up, then I’m all yours until Coach wants us.”

His olive-green eyes sparkled with a teasing light that I was sure he used to get what he wanted from everyone around him. It was too early to deal with him, but at least I’d have a chance to get another coffee before I hit the ice with him. Then I could avoid him for the rest of the day.

Sacrifice now for peace of mind later.

“Fine. I’ll meet you here after I get coffee.”

He was already backing toward the change rooms, maintaining eye contact like he thought I’d disappear the second he turned his back. The thought was tempting, and my usual MO when I could get away with it. I tried to create his content with footage recorded during games or, when necessary, filmed in conjunction with Oscar’s stuff. The ‘Caveman’ was a human social lubricant, using his ridiculous good looks and extroverted personality to make any interaction pleasant. Even with certain persons who could remain unnamed.

“Oh, I’d love one, thanks.”

The bastard flashed me a blinding smile and winked, jogging off before I could remind him I wasn’t his goddamn assistant.

Maybe I’d spit in his coffee. It would serve him right.

No more negativity, remember?

Shit. Okay. I could be civil.

Trading my skates for Crocs—when I was changing shoes all day sneakers weren’t practical, and heels were a torture device I reserved for times when I couldn’t avoid them—I went across the road to the Wild Brew Cafe where everyone knew my name… because I was in there several times a day.

The rich scent of coffee beans and sugar hit me like a wave as I pushed through the door and I paused for a moment, breathing the scent deep into my lungs and enjoying the somatic reset it offered. Instant calm.

“Usual, Blair?” Toni, the store manager, asked, already reaching for the largest cup they sold.

“Make it two, please.” I could be nice. And if it wasn’t to his taste, then I could drink it. Win/win.

“How’s the team looking this year?” Toni asked over the squeal of the frother wand. The Canadian barista had made the move to Austin twelve months before to meet up with her high school flame after they matched on a dating app. Their story was something straight out of a sapphic novel and I’d even managed to meet her partner a time or two when the need for coffee had brought me out into the Austin heat in search of my caffeine fix. The only thing Toni ever mentioned regretting about the move was the weather, and the American preference for football over hockey.

“The development camp went really well last month. A lot of players to watch in the next few years. Training camp starts today, though, and the vibe is awesome. Everyone’s excited to get back on the ice.”

The bean grinder interrupted our conversation for a moment and, like an addict, I took a deep breath of the sharp earthy scent.

“Good to hear. Kate bought us both season tickets this year, so we’ll be in the stands cheering them on.”

Toni didn’t miss a beat with the syrup, cream, and toffee chips, handing over the two cups with a wink.

“I’ll see you in a couple of hours?”

I laughed and took a test sip, not quite suppressing a moan.

“You know it.”

Saluting her with my cup, I returned to the heat of the day and hustled back to the rink to get Cian O’Leary’s content over and done with.

“Blair. Do you have a minute?”

Dante appeared out of a corridor on my right, signaling with her head to follow as she continued on without breaking stride. As usual, her blonde hair was perfectly styled in a neat French twist, her power suit screaming boss bitch to the tune of her sensible black pumps clicking across the floor. I looked down at my overalls and Crocs and, once again, felt the inadequacy build. Even when I put effort in, I never looked as cool as her.

“Are you coming?”

Shaking myself out of the impromptu self-flagellation session, I repeated my mantra and fell into step behind her.

New day, new me.

No more picking apart my appearance. No more negativity.

This self-improvement stuff was fucking hard.

Dante strode through the door of one of the vacant offices and turned, resting her hip against the empty desk. She crossed her arms and studied me with a critical eye as I followed her inside.

“Close the door for a sec.”

“Okay… Is everything alright? I’m supposed to be getting some shots in with O’Leary before they start for the day.”

I stood awkwardly in the space, both hands full of coffee cups and wishing I’d tied my unruly hair back. A ginger curl stuck to my lashes as I blinked. Using my forearm, I tried to brush it away but failed, as my glasses foiled my attempts. With a sigh, I gave up and set the cups down on a low counter, finally giving my full attention to my supervisor.

“This won’t take long. How have you been liking your role with the Aces?”

Her face was inscrutable.

Had I done something wrong?

The coffee cups beside me felt like glaring accusations of wasted time and resources. Maybe I should have taken less breaks.

Her pale blue eyes were steady as she waited through my internal panic.

Speak, idiot.

“Uhh, I love it here. It’s my dream job, so yeah. I, um… love it.”

Heat crawled up my neck and I cursed my pale skin. I never did well with confrontation because it was difficult to keep a position of power while glowing like a traffic light.

“What are your plans for the future?”

Considering she clearly meant further afield than drinking the coffee beside me and surviving the session with O’Leary, I didn’t know how to answer her.

“I’m not sure, but I hope it will involve staying with the Aces, or at the very least, working in hockey,” I said carefully, studying her perfectly made-up features for hints of what this could be about.

In an uncharacteristic move, she broke eye contact first, taking a stroll around the empty office. The window was her first stop. Cracking the blinds, she gazed outside for a moment, like there might be something interesting in the staff parking lot. Without a word, she let them fall shut and ran her fingers across the desk next, brushing the dust off on her skirt before returning to her lean in front of me.

“This isn’t common knowledge yet, but I don’t plan to renew my contract with the Aces next year. I love this job and the team, but it’s time for something new for me.”

I tried but failed to hide my reaction. Everyone knew Dante was one of the best in the business. She had gotten more players out of hot water than I’d had caffeine-free days… Okay, bad analogy. But she was a badass at what she did.

“So… what do you think?”

Her expression was expectant, and I silently cursed my distraction. What had she asked?

“I… don’t know…” Was I really in a position to cast judgment on her life choices?

“You’re great at what you do, and I feel like with a little training and a lot more self-confidence, you’d be a perfect fit. I could mentor you through this season.”

Did she mean…?

“You want me to go for the PR position?”

Dante’s brow wrinkled like we were speaking two different languages.

“That’s what I said. What do you think?”

A buzzing started at my toes, that flush making a reappearance in my cheeks, causing my scalp to itch. PR manager for the Austin Aces. I’d never considered moving that high because I couldn’t imagine the team without Dante at the head of it. But under her mentorship, it could be me next year.

Immediately, negative thoughts streamed in, to the tune of not good enough, too unsophisticated, and who do you think you are? The voice, I realized, was my mother’s.

She could take my self-image, but I’d be damned if she took my professional one. With a deep breath, I mustered a smile for Dante.

“I’d love to.”