My eyebrows rise. “Oh? What can I help you with?”
He grins. “Actually, it’s what I’m hoping you can help me with,” he chuckles.
My stomach clenches, wondering what the hell he wants to talk to me about. I hope I haven’t fucked up somehow. I know the Eagles coach doesn’t like me much, but I’m really hoping he hasn’t tried to smear my reputation with the parent team.
“I understand you’ve been doing a great job with the Eagles. How have you been enjoying it so far?”
I swallow, still confused at what this is about. “I’m really enjoying it. It’s been such a great opportunity, and I’ve been learning so much. We have a great team there.”
Carson nods. “Yeah, we do. I’m happy with how things are going. But I also suspect the equipment department isn’t where your future ambitions lie, and I wanted to talk to you about an opportunity.”
I swallow hard. “Um. Okay, sure.” I have no idea what he’s talking about, but it doesn’t sound like I’m about to get canned, so I’ve got that going for me.
“We just got approval for a special project, starting in the next couple of weeks,” he starts. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but Dr. Benjamin Jacobs, who’s making the keynote speech tonight, has come up with a revolutionary new helmet design. If it works, it could make a big difference in the number of head injuries to hockey players—actually, to all players of contact sports.”
Carson pauses and glances around quickly. When he continues, his voice is hushed. “Now, this part won’t be officially announced until next week, so please keep it to yourself for now, but he needs to trial the helmets in real-live games at the professional level, and the Sasquatch are going to be part of that trial. Our players are going to be wearing them for a few weeks for the games around the Christmas break so he can gather data.”
“Oh, wow, that’s amazing,” I say. “How will it work?” My mind races with all kinds of questions. It’s unusual for any team to make a change to its equipment in the middle of a season. But I like the fact that Wells is positioning the team to be a leader in player safety in a way I haven’t seen any other pro-level organization do. It shows they’re serious when they talk about wanting the best for their players; they’re not only concerned with the almighty dollar.
He nods. “Like I said, we haven’t made the official public announcement yet, but we’ve talked at length with the key players and coaching staff, as well as the Players’ Union. It was a… challenge… to get everyone on board, but everyone has been reassured the new helmets shouldn’t make any significant difference to what the players feel and see since they’re almost exactly the same shape and weight, et cetera, as the ones used now.”
“Wow, that’s incredible,” I say.
“So,” he continues. “All of that is a long-winded way of asking if you’d be interested in helping us out with managing the project.”
Carter’s eyes bore into mine, and my jaw drops open in surprise. I must be misunderstanding because it sounds like he just offered me a position working directly with the Sasquatch. But that can’t be right—he must be asking me to support them from my position on the Eagles.
Before I can say anything, he continues. “I’m not entirely sure yet what the job is going to look like, and that’s going to be part of the challenge. But basically, you’ll be responsible for making sure our equipment techs know how to properly care for everything, and after each game, it will be up to you to make sure all the data gets collected and sent to Dr. Jacobs’ team. So, it will mean traveling with the team for away games during that period around the holidays, which I know might be hard since it’s a busy time of year. But it will be a great way to showcase your skills as a project manager. It will also get your name in front of the right people. It could ultimately help you achieve some of your career goals.”
“Um. Wow. That sounds incredible. Are you thinking this would be a temp position, then?”
Carson’s smile grows bigger. “Well, yes, at first, it will be a temp position. But if things go well, I’m fairly certain I can find a permanent place for you in the organization. I’m not sure where that will be, but we’re always on the lookout for people with the right combination of personality and skills. I understand you haven’t had the easiest time with some of the coaching staff on the Eagles, and I’m sorry about that. But I hear you’ve handled yourself with incredible professionalism. I know that can be a difficult position to be in, and you’ve done very well.”
“Holy shit,” I breathe out and am immediately embarrassed. “Sorry,” I mutter. Carson is probably one of the only people I’ve ever come across in the hockey world who doesn’t have the mouth of a drunken sailor. He chuckles.
“Does that mean you’re interested?” he asks.
“Fuck yes I am,” I say with conviction, and heat rises in my cheeks again. “Sorry again,” I say sheepishly, and his eyes twinkle.
“Great, that makes me very happy,” he says. “I’m glad I caught you at the beginning of tonight’s events. It’s a good opportunity for you to make some contacts. I’ll try to find Dr. Jacobs and introduce you later since you’ll be working closely together. But watch for my assistant, Kelly, to contact you on Monday. They’ll get all the details of your transfer worked out with the HR department. I’d like you to start with us as soon as we can make it happen so once it’s time to start the trial, you’ll already have your feet under you.”
“Carson, this is amazing,” I sputter. “I mean, I can’t thank you enough, really. This is an incredible opportunity.”
“You’ve earned the chance. And I’m sure you’ll do an excellent job,” Carson says. “That’s why I ambushed you. I wanted to make sure you could take advantage of this time to make some connections.”
“Yeah, absolutely,” I say, still stunned, but at the same time, my brain is spinning with ideas.
Just then, a voice comes over the PA system, politely asking us to take our seats, as the speeches will be starting soon, followed by dinner. Carson claps me on the shoulder. “Alright, Aleks, Let’s go find our tables. I’ll make sure to find you later to introduce you around.”
Following him through the crowd of beautiful, glittering people, I shake my head, thinking about what an insane day this has been. I started out feeling like garbage after being ghosted, but I’ve now been given what could literally be the greatest opportunity of my career. It’s crazy how the universe works sometimes. I can’t wait to tell Josie—maybe she’s right about all her metaphysical stuff after all.
Carson and I find our tables easily, as the Sasquatch has sent a sizeable group this evening. I already know several people at my table, and Carson is next to us with several more players and coaches. Our table is making polite small talk as one of the serving staff fills our wineglasses when a woman takes to the stage and begins introducing the keynote speaker, listing an impressive number of accomplishments. I admit, I groan inwardly as she lists his many credentials because it sounds like this guy will probably be some kind of pencil-necked geek who has no idea about hockey and can’t tell one end of the stick from the other. I sincerely hope that’s not the case, especially since I’m going to be spending a lot of time with this person soon.
A moment later, my mouth goes dry, and the bottom drops out of my stomach. I squint my eyes and then shake my head in a vain attempt to clear it because I can’t possibly be seeing what I think I am. The man who has just walked out onto the stage… the person with whom I’m going to be spending many, many hours in the very near future, the esteemed and respected Dr. Benjamin Jacobs, is none other than my hookup from last night: Ben.
Chapter 9
BEN
