Page 19

Brooke

My plan to start small with the first drop is out the window.

I wanted about twenty items and to use ten of the guys from the hockey team to model. So, when I reach fifty items while cataloguing, taking the boys with me shopping has both helped and hindered me.

We are at the hockey arena shooting the whole team in between them practicing using the ice for the first shoot, we are working on limited time and Coach Bennett looks like he is ready to eat me for dinner, so I’m hustling to get everyone in and out of the clothes while also getting the shots.

The pictures so far are incredible; the entire team is doing a fantastic job, and the clothes look great from the shots I've taken.

“Nick,” Cami calls as we switch boys out, and Nick skates over to change. “Sweater or shirt?” She holds both up for me to decide; both would look cool, the t-shirt being a bleached muscle tee and the sweater being an Anaheim Ducks one.

“T-shirt.” I nod, and she chucks it at Nick, who goes into the tunnel to change. “The sweater will look good on Adam with his blonde hair.”

She nods in agreement, turning to put it back in the unshot pile as Grant skates over. He has already modelled in the only non-thrifted item, a Huntington U jersey that will be included in each drop, and players will sign. He's back in all his gear.

“How’s it looking?” he asks, leaning over the boards of the bench, taking his helmet off and smiling. I bite my lip nervously, lifting my camera to show him some shots.

“Those look sick.” He takes a glove off to push his hair back off his forehead as I flick through, and I can’t help but watch the motion.

He towers over me, all bulked out in his gear, making him look dangerous on the ice, and the way he smirks over at me makes my breath catch.

Suddenly, the cold rink feels too warm. God, I hope I’m not drooling.

“Yeah, they look pretty good,” I hum, moving back away from the boards to put some space between us. “Hoping the launch goes well tomorrow night.”

“I better make sure we win so we can get the entire team out to celebrate.” He winks as he pushes off and skates backwards away, showing off.

I watch him with a smile, which I quickly hide by pursing my lips as Cami gives me a side eye.

“What’s going on with that?” Cami asks, nodding her head at Grant as he rejoins the team while folding the clothes we had already shot.

“Absolutely nothing,” I mutter. I've been trying to ignore the attraction to Grant I've been feeling. It's like every time he's near my body, it, it buzzes with excitement for just a second of his attention.

But, it's too soon since Josh. I need to try to figure out who I am without Josh or my mom deciding for me.

“Grant Anders isn’t nothing,” Cami says, sitting back on the bench and facing me, looking worried. “Just be careful.”

“Cam, I know, okay, I’m not looking for anything right now, anyway.” I sigh. “We are just becoming good friends.”

“If you’re sure.” She watches me warily. “He’s not the serious type, B.”

Another reason why I need to ignore this attraction is that he's not the serious type, and I'm not the casual hook-up type.

“Completely sure. I promise I’m not looking for anything with anyone right now, anyway.” I reach my pinkie out towards her, and she links hers for the promise.

“Ladies, you done bothering my team yet?” Coach yells over at us.

“Almost done,” I yell back, shooing Nick onto the ice to get final shots.

I hadn't realised how much I missed being on the ice, and although it's slightly terrifying with the teams actively practising, it’s pretty cool watching the team skate around while on it. I should ask Grant if he can let me in to skate. Although maybe that’s not allowed and would get him in trouble, he wouldn't want to risk it for me.

I focus as I click my camera to get the last few shots, as I step back, I watch in almost slow motion as Bear comes out of nowhere and ploughs into Nick, who ends up knocking forward into Cami and me.

We tumble backwards and I land on my ass hard. I somehow manage to hold my camera up to avoid damaging it; however, Cami is on top of me as we slide across the ice, coming to a stop just before we hit the boards. I groan as she rolls off, elbowing me as she goes..

“Why did you land on me?” I wheeze at her. “Aren't you used to this?”

“Oh yeah, injure the Olympic hopeful!” she shoots back, standing, checking she can move all her body parts and dusting herself off. “Self-preservation, B.”

“Sorry, sorry.” Bear jumps up and helps Nick, who luckily didn’t injure himself, while Grant grabs my arms from behind to help me up. Gunnar skates over to check on Cami, who just shoos him off while he laughs and starts skating around her while she crosses her arms, scowling at him.

“Adam tripped me.” Bear points accusingly at Adam as he starts skating circles around Bear, taunting him.

“No, I didn’t,” Adam shouts and throws his gloves down as they square off against each other.

“You idiots,” Coach Bennett yells, skating over and getting between them. “You both tripped each other up. Thank God you’re in the goal, McDonald.”

“I think that’s our cue,” I whisper to Cami as we step off the ice and begin to grab our stuff. “I can shoot the rest for the next one.”

“You, okay?” Grant asks skating over once Adam and Bear have moved away from each other, as I pack my camera away, facing away from the ice.

“You guys are lucky you wear all that padding.” I laugh, rubbing the sore spot on my lower back. “My ass is going to bruise where I landed on it.”

He doesnt say anything, so I turn around to check hes still there and I see he’s staring at my ass, and I raise my eyebrows at him tamping down a smile.

“Sorry.” He looks away, coughing into his gloved hand, and I can’t help but laugh at him, looking embarrassed; I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look embarrassed around me.

“Don’t worry, Brooke, Anders can kiss it better,” someone shouts as they skate past. I don’t have time to catch who says it, but Grant rushes after them and knocks them down, and I decide not to hang around as I hear Coach scream.

“For fuck’s sake.”