“Are you all ready for this?” I say with a laugh.
“For the Gauntlet maybe,” Burton says, shaking his head.
“Okay, I don’t know if we have all of the supplies for that right now, but we can always bring you back when we do.” I raise my eyebrows and wait for his response. He’s speechless, but his teammates are enthusiastically heckling him.
I try to keep my smile from spreading. “My cameraman is almost here. We’re going to do a quick interview. Who wants to do it?”
Burton pushes Clark toward the front of the group, but I see it and say, “Maybe it’s Burton’s turn?”
His eyes go wide, and he shakes his head. “No. That’s the captain’s job.”
“Maybe he needs a break from that. And I can imagine you’ll answer the questions with no problem,” I say, waving him over.
He steps forward, and the rest of the group looks like kids compared to him.
The cameraman gets into position in front of the boards, and I turn to look up at Burton. I might’ve sat next to him the night before, but he looks taller and more intimidating right now. Maybe because I picked him to do the talking.
“What’s your full name?” I ask, hoping he’ll answer it before it’s our turn to go live.
“Burton.”
I frown. “That can’t be your full name.”
“And yet, it’s the only one I answer to.” He gives me a little half-smile that makes my insides flutter.
Focus. I don’t need a cute smile and a head of brown hair to sway me. I’m on the job right now.
The light to the camera turns on, and I say, “I’m down here with a few players from the Salt Lake Lancers lacrosse team getting ready for intermission. This is Burton. What position do you play?” I ask, pointing the microphone at him for his answer.
“Attack.” He looks like he’s switched to game mode, if that’s such a thing, and I have to keep my expression from showing any extra laughter.
“Explain what that is to all of us who don’t know.”
It’s me. I don’t know. I know a lot about sports, but lacrosse is definitely one I’m not familiar with.
“It’s the position closest to scoring goals for the team.”
“When is your first game?” I ask, knowing this is supposed to be a marketing promo for their team. If it helps my curiosity at the same time, that’s not a bad thing, right?
“We play in four weeks at home.”
I think they said that last night at the diner. Obviously my brain wasn’t in the right state of mind to remember details like that.
I glance at the paper in my hand. “That should bea good game. How does your team do against the Rattlers?”
His face falls, and he looks like he’s ready to fight. “We’ll be out for blood.”
Are we allowed to say that on camera? “I take it they’re a big rival?”
“We lost to them in the championship last year.”
“That makes sense. Well, good luck out on the ice today, and we wish you all the best as the season starts.” I turn back to face the camera. “Scan the QR code on the screen now to enter for a chance to become a Lancer VIP for opening weekend.”
Burton visibly relaxes once the light turns off. “How did I do?”
I try to stifle a laugh. “Well, you were two eye-black stripes short of going to war.”
“That’s what lacrosse is like,” Burton says, the corners of his lips twitching.
