When I graduated from college in journalism, I pictured myself doing real sports reporting, not this shit, but it pays the bills. With newspapers and magazines dying a quick death and social media filling the void, I’m lucky to have a paying job with some benefits, even if my assignments aren’t what I consider real journalism.
All Hockey News is a successful subscription-based service dealing in sensationalism and gossip. Their motto is Hockey News with an Opinion. We’re the train wreck our readers can’t look away from, and digging up dirt on professional hockey players is our main function.
As the reporter assigned to the Icehawks, and I’ve been here since day one, moving from a previous assignment in sunny California.
My trip down memory lane is interrupted by a celebration on the ice. Gardenia leaps to her feet clapping, while I’m clueless. I’m the only parent sitting so I stand and join in, still not knowing what happened.
“That was a good goal,” Gardenia says. I nod and smile. I have no fucking clue who scored or how, but I’ll play along.
“Great goal.”
“Ryder is a challenge, but he’s dialed in when it comes to hockey. Great assist by your boy.”
“Yeah, it was.” I’m a horrible aunt. I missed the whole damn thing. I sit up straighter and pay attention for the remainder of practice. As the coach addresses the kids, their attention is drawn elsewhere. I follow their gazes to see what all the excitement is about.
My heart stops.
Drakos Lenkov struts onto the ice as if he owns it.
What is he doing here?
I grudgingly admit that he’s hotter than hot, a perfect male specimen of athleticism and power. Tall, built, and handsome with talent to match that big head of his. He’s one of the premier forwards in the league, and I’ve made it my personal mission to bring him down.
I bite a fingernail as he saunters up to the adoring group of kids. Disgusting. I want to puke at how they worship such an unworthy man. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but the entire group listens with rapt attention. No easy feat with six- and seven-year-old boys.
He takes questions, and the members of the group are all shouting at once until Coach reins them in. I watch him closely, and my nephew’s reaction to my archenemy makes me nauseous. His adoration of Drakos flashes like a neon sign.
Drakos, on the other hand, pays no particular attention to Noah, for which I’m grateful. He’s oblivious. I have no doubt he’s never made the connection between his one-night stand with Noah’s mother and her being my sister. Nor does he realize Noah is his son. I intend on keeping him indefinitely in the dark.
Tension tightens my muscles with a vise grip of equal parts of fear and anger. Gardenia casts a sideways glance my way, and I realize I’m telegraphing my hatred for this man. I force myself to relax somewhat.
“Hey, baby, you ready to go? The boys are almost done.”
I look over my shoulder to see Jakob Bang behind us. His eyes are on Gardenia, but he glances at me, then does a double take. His friendly smile disappears to be replaced by wary dislike. He definitely recognizes me. My brief friendship with Gardenia is most likely over. I can only hope his dislike doesn’t affect Noah. He needs friends, and Rowan and Ryder are the first kids he’s bonded with since his mom died.
“We should go,” he says tersely.
“Nice talking to you, Aria.” Gardenia smiles as she takes Jakob’s hand, and together they leave. Jakob glances over his shoulder and glares a warning in my direction. I read it loud and clear. Don’t mess with my family like you messed with me. And I did. When he first came to Portland, I was pretty hard on him, but then, I’ve been pretty hard on almost every member of this team, especially Drakos.
I’m only doing my job, even if I’m not exactly wild about some of the crap my boss wants to publish. I don’t have a choice. I have a kid to feed and clothe, and the money is too good to pass up.
Even if I’m selling my soul.
Chapter 3
Stare-down
With four games left in the regular season, the Icehawks are battling for the final playoff spot. If they succeed, it’ll be in spite of Drakos Lenkov rather than with his assistance. Drakos’s performance has been subpar this past month. His scoring and assists are virtually nonexistent. At this point, he’s a liability not an asset to the team, but it’s too late for the Icehawks to rectify the mistake they made by not trading him when they had the opportunity. —Aria at All Hockey News
* * *
~~Drakos~~
I swear Aria is everywhere. I can’t seem to avoid her.
Yesterday, the youth coach asked me to say a few words to his team, and I agreed. Normally, I’m not in the public part of the facility, but I’m more than happy to help the community and especially kids. The last person I expected to see there was Aria. After all, anyone knows witches eat little kids for dinner after cooking them in their cauldron.
In all seriousness, why was she in the Rink Three bleachers watching a kids’ team? Did someone clue her in that I’d be there, and she’s hoping to unearth or fabricate a new scandal to use against me?
