“Hey, Scarlett. This is Coach Warren Johnson from the Seattle Rainiers. I apologise for calling you so late, but we have a pressing matter to discuss. Would you mind dropping intothe arena tomorrow morning at, say, nine?” A gruff, yet urgent, voice comes through the line.
My heart skips a beat. Why is the coach of an NHL team calling me and how did he get my number?
I’m almost at a loss for words but I just manage to get out, “Absolutely, I’ll see you then.”
“Thank you so much, Scarlett. We’ll see you then.” The line goes dead.
My pulse kicks up a notch. If he needs to meet this soon, obviously the matter is serious. I bite my lip as I think the brief conversation over. Then my mind flicks to Levi Carter – I’ve learnt my lesson when it comes to athletes. Never again.
I sigh to myself, as I move on through my nightly routine, my mind refusing to slow down. I think I’ll be lucky if I get any sleep tonight.
CHAPTER TWO
SCARLETT
Imove through the hallway of the Rainiers’ arena, taking in the surroundings – framed jerseys line the walls, reminders of the glory this team earned through heart and grit. There is a faint smell of sweat and coffee in the air, a confirmation of the determination by the staff and the team.
I’m not paying any attention as I walk, then suddenly I hit a wall. Wait, not a wall – a man. I look up to see none other than the Levi Carter. He looks like absolute sin, dressed in black exercise shorts showing off his muscular legs and a grey sweater stretched across his broad shoulders, his arm against his chest in its sling. My gaze continues upward, from the moustache tracing his upper lip to the striking blue eyes watching me curiously. It’s almost unfair how he looks so attractive, so effortlessly.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” I mutter, my eyes flitting to the ground before back up to meet his.
He simply grunts, before moving around me and taking a seat beside a door. The door to the coach’s office. My mind has been spinning with thoughts of what this meeting could be about… and I think I’ve just figured it out.
My head drops. Shit.
I give myself a second before straightening again, making my way to the door, and walking through to meet Coach Johnson. I take in the surroundings, frames line the walls, showing off years of success, oak floorboards, and a dark wooden desk by a window.
His head jerks up at the sound of the door closing behind me and he stands abruptly. “Scarlett, thank you for coming in on such short notice.”
He walks around the messy, paper strewn desk to meet me reaching his hand out in an offer for a handshake.
He moves to pull out a chair for me. I take a seat, thanking him as he strides back around and practically falls into his seat, running his fingers through his wavy, brown hair and blowing out a breath.
“Now, I’m not too sure if you’ve heard, but one of our star players endured quite a serious injury during the game last night.” Coach Johnson starts, and I nod my head slowly, waiting for him to continue.
“I reached out to your boss, Olivia Dunn, at Reform Method and she thinks you’d be a great fit to rehabilitate Levi back to full strength. Is this something you’d be interested in?”
There’s a somewhat desperate look in his eyes, almost pleading me to say yes.
“I don’t know…” I trail off, thinking it over, “do you think Pilates will be a quick enough fix?”
“Absolutely! Our doctor, Sloane Madison, thinks this kind of rehab is exactly what Levi needs. Slow movements to build up the strength from the root of the problem.”
I’m seriously considering this. It could be an incredible experience. I shouldn’t pass on an opportunity like this.
Coach Johnson speaks again, rustling through some papers. “Just take a look at the contract, will you? I’ll bring Levi in and then we can get it sorted?”
He gives me a big grin. I quickly scan the piece of paper, seeing the numbers at the bottom, making my eyes widen.
I nod quickly, my gaze flicking up to meet his. “I’ll take the job.”
…
LEVI
I sit outside Coach’s office with my head hung low, jaw clenched, ready to discuss my plan for recovery. I’m trying to pretend I’m fine as the sling digs into my shoulder, my knee bouncing as I wait impatiently. I feel pathetic.
My pulse is hammering as all the scenarios run through my head – how long will it take to recover? I am desperate to be healed in time for the upcoming season. And more importantly, who was that just that went in there? What is she here for? Is it related to my shoulder?
