He nods once. Controlled. But his eyes burn.
We walk back toward the crowd together.
Not talking. Just existing in the same gravitational pull neither of us knows how to escape.
I look at my watch. "Bryce, let's move it. We have the goat feeding exhibition in five minutes."
He deadpans, "Please. I'll have it eating out of my hand in thirty seconds. Especially if it’s a female. Females never resist me."
I give him the slowest stare known to mankind. "Right. Just remember, if she bites you, that’s a review, not flirting."
He chuckles with his devilish grin.
Within a few minutes, a volunteer appears with a bucket of hay and a very enthusiastic baby goat who clearly has zero respect for personal space or Bryce's reputation.
"You’re up, Blackhorn," Dex calls, way too delighted.
Bryce blinks at the goat like it’s a trap. The goat stares back like it has already decided custody of the kids and the house, and the crowd gathering around us is clearly here for the drama.
Before he can protest, I hand him a handful of hay. "Feed the goat," I say flatly. "Smile. Pretend you love nature. Try not to start another rumor."
The goat immediately latches onto his glove and starts chewing with the intensity of a chainsaw. Then, apparently deciding that’s not enough, she plants her hooves on his thigh and tries to climb him like he’s a tree.
Colby bursts out laughing. "Should we charge admission? Because this is better than television."
Cameras fire. Flashes light up.
Eli calls out, "Ladies and gentlemen… the G.O.A.T. feeds the goat. The Greatest Of All Time feeds the goat!"
Someone yells, "G.O.A.T feeding the G.O.A.T!" and the crowd howls.
Bryce mutters under his breath, "If she headbutts me, I’m retiring."
I school my face into calm PR neutrality, but inside? I am screaming. Because this might be the cutest disaster I’ve ever witnessed.
I hand out more hay to the other players as parents snap pictures.
Kids squeal. Fans record videos. A reporter livestreams the moment like it’s breaking national news.
Within minutes my phone vibrates.
Headline: G.O.A.T FEEDS GOAT — Bryce Blackhorn Shows His Wild Side Off The Ice.
My breath catches.
Good press. Finally.
My cheeks lift into an uncontrollable smile.
For the first time since I took this job, and this disaster of a man, I feel… relief.
Maybe even pride.
And when I look at Bryce, still holding hay, still being lightly mugged by a goat…
Yeah.
My dad is going to love this one.
