Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Tamara turns her sharp gaze on Josie.
“We don’t glamorize fighting and suspensions. Have you seen the pictures of Sam Styles’s face?”
Josie shrugs. “It’s hockey, not badminton.”
I sneak a glance at Tim. My coach’s lips are quirking with a smile. Josie is a quick study. She didn’t just show up and follow me around; she immersed herself in listening and learning about the game, the players and the fans. She gets it in a way Tamara never will, and Tamara has worked for the Mammoths for years.
“Listen, Tamara,” Tim says. “We just got in from a long night of travel. I’d like to wrap this up as quickly as possible.”
Tamara nods and looks down at her notepad. “Will you consider an apology?”
I scoff. “Absolutely not.”
Josie speaks up. “I think Dane should attend the games he’s suspended from to support his team. He can stop by the VIP boxes to meet fans. I also want to get him to the children’s hospital to meet the boy with cancer who started a Twitter campaign wanting to meet him.”
I don’t pay attention to social media, and I immediately feel guilty that a kid with cancer has been trying to meet me and I had no idea.
“Done,” I say. “But what if Josie wasn’t here? Isn’t it the team PR office’s job to know about that stuff? I don’t want people to think I blow off kids with cancer.”
Tamara’s eyes bulge. “Since when have you cared about your image?”
I look at Tim. “Isn’t it literally her job to be on top of things like that?”
Tim’s expression tells me he wants me to stop aggravating her so we can all get the hell out of here. Tamara’s like a wind-up toy fully wound now.
“We’re short-staffed and it’s all we can do to keep up with our regular work. If you want to know what’s happening with your social media, I suggest you look at it.”
Josie puts up a hand. “I’m here to look at it, and I am. Let’s stay focused.”
Tamara huffs out a sigh. “I need to clarify some things with Arnold. Now that Dane has a personal publicist, maybe the PR department needs to step away from things involving him.”
She might as well hiss and break out her claws. Josie cocks her head and meets my gaze for a brief second and I instinctively wink at her, silently telling her I get it.
“I don’t want you to step away,” Josie says. “I’d like us to work together.”
“I heard you think Dane should go on a date with a college student,” Tamara says. “Don’t you think college girls are too young for him?”
“She’s actually a law student. She’s twenty-four and he’s twenty-eight. I think it’s fine.”
Tamara sniffs. “Well, prepare for an onslaught of bad press when he dumps her and she’s on TikTok crying her eyes out.”
“Just one date,” Josie says. “He’ll be friendly” She shoots me a look. “With some coaching beforehand, I mean. There would be photos of the two of them smiling and having dinner. She’s not expecting a marriage proposal. She just wants to meet him.”
Josie stood up for me when I didn’t deserve it, and I want to return the favor.
“I’ll do it,” I say.
“Heaven help us,” Tamara mutters. “Don’t get yourself handcuffed to another park bench.”
Tim stands up. “I think we’re done here.”
Tamara stands too, not even looking at me or Josie as she says, “Thank you for your time, Coach.”
One of the equipment people loads our bags into my car, leaving my keys on the car seat, so Josie and I start our walk to the players’ parking garage. Tim waves at us and heads toward the front office.
Josie looks over at me and smiles. “I think she likes me.”
“Not as much as she likes me,” I quip.
I wake up and reach for my phone on the nightstand, my eyelids heavy.
It’s 5:42. A.m. or pm., I have no idea. I don’t even know for sure what day it is, but thanks to my suspension, it’s no big deal either way.
I get up and use the bathroom, then head for the kitchen. A savory garlic smell makes my stomach rumble. I’m thirsty as hell and hungry, too.
When I make it to the kitchen, I see Josie standing in front of the stove, her hair up in a big bun on top of her head. She’s wearing a gray tank top and black leggings, and my gaze wanders up and down her back, admiring the view.
Josie is pretty. I knew that the first time I saw her. But it’s not her looks making me feel drawn to her right now. Well...it’s not just her looks. I’m not blind.
I like that she doesn’t take an ounce of shit from me in private, but she publicly stands up for me. Who knows if she’d treat me that way if she wasn’t being paid to be here, but it feels good.