Is that what it’s called? I should know since I’ve had to give several interviews over the course of my career.
She shrugs. “I watched a lot of sports with my grandpa. He taught me to analyze them and almost predict what’s going to happen before it does. So, it’s a fun challenge for me, and now I get to see it up close.”
“Oh wow. You’ve got an origin story and everything.”
“What brings you to the rink?” she asks with a laugh.
I laugh and close my eyes for a second. “Turns out we’re the intermission entertainment tonight.” I point over my shoulder—only to realize the guys are standing inches behind me, smiling in a weird robotic way.
Am I in some kind ofbubble?
Laney grins. “That’s awesome. I might interview you beforehand.”
I lean in slightly. “Have they done this activity before?”
She laughs. “Let me guess. You get the mini lacrosse sticks?”
When I nod, she does the same. “Yep. And no one’s made it yet from what I’ve heard.”
“Challenge accepted,” I say.
She laughs, and the sound hits me harder than it should. Melodic. Warm.
This is only the second time I’ve seen her, and my body is humming like I’m supposed to be standing next to her forever.
Which is definitely not happening.
CHAPTER 6
LANEY
“You look extra happy tonight,” Jessa says as she meets me in the hallway.
“It’s been a better day than I thought. Maybe I needed a change of scenery.”
“That’s why the door is open. Good luck with the rest of the broadcast. I have to get to my seat before the boys go out on the ice.”
“I need to get down to ice level. Gotta be prepared for all the interviews tonight.”
Jessa smiles at me and says, “Maybe you’ll have to interview the lacrosse boys. That would be fun.”
I laugh and try to picture them out on the ice as they try to win whatever tonight’s prize is. “I need tobrush up on some lacrosse terminology. And by brush up, I mean learn it.”
We both laugh at that.
Then Jessa says, “Let me know if you want a ride home tonight.”
Smiling, I say, “That would be amazing. If you’re staying for the entire game, I just have a few interviews after, so I’d be like thirty minutes.”
She nods. “That would be great. Have fun.”
Gratitude overwhelms me. I didn’t feel this close to anyone in Seattle, and I’d been there for a lot longer than this. Then again, there weren’t set teams or responsibilities among the sportscasters. Here, we’re still flexible, but we interact a lot more with the same teams.
I make it downstairs a while before the game starts and get my interview with the head coach, as well as the captain of the team. He’s a strong, silent leader, and I admire that about him.
The first period is rough, with a lot of big checks and a fight that has a player from each team in the penalty box for ten minutes.
I walk over to the doors where the Lancers are lined up. Each of the six that are here are wearing a helmet along with little grippy contraptions wrapped around their shoes.
