“I’m Silas Murdock withThe Hockey Star. I have a few questions if you don’t mind.”
“Pleasure to see you, Silas,” she says, reaching a hand out to shake his. I bite back a grimace. I just want to be over and done with this.
“Likewise.”
He stares at me for a moment, but I don’t reach out to shake his hand until Eloise taps me. “Just do it,” she mutters, “I know this guy, so the quicker, the better.”
“Fine,” I grumble, plastering on a fake smile and shaking his hand. If I grip his hand a little harder than necessary, then he doesn’t say anything.
“Great, lovely to meet you both. We’re going to be flying fast, and then I’ll have you out of here as quickly as possible. First question for Eloise: How did you feel knowing that you were being traded to the Vortex so soon before the season started?”
El’s smile remains frozen. “It was scary at first. I’ve been with the Chill for so long, but I think that this will be a great experience.” She grips my arm a bit tighter. “It was a rocky start, but I think the team and I are really gelling. Everyone’s been so lovely.”
“Even Taylor?” he asks incredulously, and I furrow my brows, wanting to argue, but her hand on my arm stops me.
She seems a bit taken aback by the question as well. “What do you mean? Of course she has.”
“There’s video footage of the two of you arguing. I was wondering if you wanted to make a statement in regard to that.”
She lets out a fake laugh. “It was over something silly; you know what it’s like. Winnie likes to pose hypotheticals in the locker room, and we got a bit heated about it. I can’t even remember what the hypothetical was about now.”
“So the rumour that the two of you have been at odds since you got to the locker room—“
“Unfounded,” I retort. “We’re becoming very fast friends, and once we hit the ice, I realized how much happier I’ll be playing with her than against her. She’s been a thorn in my side throughout our wholeprofessional careers.”
He purses his lips, nodding. “Silas, stay on task here,” Eloise’s agent says, coming into the room. She’s got her arms crossed, and I wonder if this is a regular thing for him.
He looks frustrated, and I keep a smile on my face, despite the sinking feeling in my stomach. He doesn’t seem like he’s going to stop there. “Right. Thanks, Annalise,” he clears his throat, and something about the way he dismissed her concerns leaves an even worse taste in my mouth. “Taylor, you and your partner broke up earlier this year. Do you want to talk about it?”
My hearing goes quiet for a moment, a high-pitched whine that blocks everything else out. “My personal life isn’t up for conversation here, Silas,” I ground out through gritted teeth.
“Did Frank get tired of being a beard?”
“Pardon?” I ask.
“You know, I think we’re done here,” Eloise says loudly, getting up. “Of all the fucking questions to ask. You’d think we wouldn’t have to deal with this shit in the PWHL.”
“No, no, I mean, you and Rosie, and now you and Eloise here. Come on, Taylor—”
he says, digging himself further into a hole.
“I’m not—” I stop myself.
El is pulling at my hands. “You don’t have to explain yourself,” she whispers. I shake my head.
“I didn’t cheat on him. Not with Rosie and not with Eloise, because I was committed to our relationship. I have very close personal friendships with my teammates, and he was never a part of a sports team, so maybe the relationship between Rosie and I may have seemed weird or hyperdependent on each other, but we were just friends.”
Eloise has her back to Silas, but it doesn’t stop me seeing the shuttered look on her face, the way that any feeling is put away. “I mean—” I start.
“Goodbye, Silas,” Eloise says coldly, pulling me out of there. He has a look of determination in his eyes as he watches us leave, and I wonder if this is going to be a massive problem for us in the future. “Annalise, what the fuck was that?” she snaps at her agent when we exit the stage.
“El, I have no idea. Taylor, I’m so sorry. I tried getting a hold of your agent, but she’s dealing with another issue right now. I’m going to make sure that he doesn’t get that on air.”
“He shouldn’t be interviewing anyone anymore,” El growls, “Completely unfounded. Does he not realize how damaging that kind of questioning is to—”
“It’s alright,” I say, cutting her off. “It looks sketchy now that I think about it.“
“Taylor,” Eloise says, a hand on my shoulder and forcing me to look her in the eye. I’m a little numb to everything, and I’m doing my best not to hyperventilate at that rumour getting out. “Taylor, come on. It’s not sketchy. You’re right; we’re closer than usual peoplebecause we’re on a team. You and Rosie were the same. However, no one should be asking questions that invade your privacy, especially not that prick.” She’s pacing, her cheeks flushed with anger.
