“Martin!”my editor calls, and I squeak, startling in my seat.
“Yes?”I ask, forcing a smile as I look up at him.
“Are you all set for tonight’s game?”Tom asks me distractedly.
“Yep.”
“Good.”
He nods and heads off to his office, mumbling something about budgets and buyouts.Panic hits me as I think about this newspaper going under.I wouldn’t be surprised.Maple Creek is a small town, and newspapers are dying off left and right.
I force my gaze to my computer screen and get to work, typing up an article about some of the star players.By the time I finish, it’s time for me to head home and get ready for the game.
I dress warmly for the game, hoping I don’t freeze my butt off at the game.Grabbing my bag, notepad, pen, recorder, and keys, I head out.
Traffic is insane on the way to the game, and by the time I finally park, I’m running late.I jog up to the front doors, showing them my press badge and squeezing through the entrance.I’m out of breath by the time I join the other reporters in the press box.Taking deep breaths, I smile and nod at a few people.No one returns my smile, and I sigh, cramming my butt into a seat between two intense-looking guys by the railing.
The rink is packed, and the crowd is rowdy as the players take to the ice.I pull out my notepad and scribble notes.I may or may not peek at my neighbors’ notepads to get an idea of what they find interesting.One guy glares at me, and I give him an innocent smile.
My palms are sweaty as the players stretch, and I take a deep, steadying breath.
I don’t know why I’m nervous.
Okay, that’s a lie.I know exactly why I’m nervous.
Declan Hayes.
My eyes find him on the ice, and I lick my lips.He looks hot and focused, like a warrior.
I can’t take my eyes off him as the game starts, and by the first intermission, I’m breathless on the edge of my seat.Declan plays like a demon, with so much focus and passion.It’s hot.Reallyhot.
“Hayes is so good,” a fan says a few rows in front of me.
“And so hot!”her friend adds.
“I know!It’s crazy that he’s still single.”
I lean forward, trying to act naturally and not like I’m eavesdropping.
“I heard he’s never dated anyone,” her friend says.
“Maybe he’s gay.”
“That would be such a shame,” her friend sighs.
“He needs to get laid.He’s so uptight.I bet all of that would come out in bed.”
The girls giggle, and I blush as I imagine Declan and me tangled up in bed together.
“I heard he killed his dad,” her friend adds.
I blink.Wait, what?
“Yeah, and his grandpa.”
How did I not hear about any of this?I think as the girls continue to giggle about the hot players.
I make a note to look it up as the game continues, and I get distracted watching.Time flies, and before I know it, it’s over, and the Maple Creek Thunder has won.
