“Because he’s lonely.”
“What?”
“He had a terrible breakup, so he’s playing badly. You shouldn’t bench him for that. Once he gets over it, he might even be better than Moreau. But please don’t tell him I told you that. Just keep Blake Ford.”
Gareth blinked. He wanted to say yes. Justyes. It was hard to argue with Hazel right now, as her fingertips reached his belt — and he was so hard it hurt.
“Hazel…” he whispered. “Are you using sex to make me listen?”
She smiled broadly. “Is it working?”
Yes. “No.” And shit, they had to add a clause that she couldn’t use her power over him for evil. Because she could.
“Too bad.” She sighed dramatically. “I guess I’ll try logic then.” The next moment, she pushed him away with both hands, crossed her arms and legs, and stated, “Let Penny rattle off the stats and numbers. Blake was a solid player last season.”
“Yeah, but not an incredibly good one.”
“Because his relationship was on the rocks! The guy’s twenty-two. He still needs to learn not to let his emotions ruin his game.”
“It’s his fucking job to play well anyway!”
“He’s still learning! Come on, Gare. I know a lot of people doubt it, but you’re human too. Has your personal life never messed you up so much that you couldn’t think straight or work properly for days?
He opened his mouth to contradict her — but their contract prohibited him from lying to her. “Fine,” he said roughly. “Let’s assume that’s it. The season starts in ten days, and Moreau can’t play every game. We need a second capable goalie.”
“Thentalkto Blake!” she said loudly. “Ask him if he wants to talk to someone about his ex-girlfriend. I think he needs a male opinion. With me, he just whines and doesn’t listen.”
Gareth snorted loudly. “My job isn’t to hold players’ hands.”
“No. But you’d do an exceptional job if you cared about your players’ well-being as well as their performance,” she replied stoically. “Isn’t that what separates the Hawks from all the other NHL teams? You’re a fucking family. At least, that’s how Penny sells it.”
“Yes,” he replied tersely. “But I’m comfortable being the grumpy, filthy rich great-uncle by marriage, the one who makes decisions.”
“Naturally, you’re comfortable with that because that’s your zone! But sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone to become a better, happier person.”
“I think I’ve already stepped way out of my comfort zone. Or doesn’t entering into a sex contract with your nemesis count?” he asked, interested.
She raised the corner of her mouth. “Nemesis? Personally, I see myself more as a thorn in your side. Oh, come on, at least try to talk to him once and make him understand that he needs topull himself together or he’s out of the game. What do you have to lose?”
“Time? Nerves? Patience?”
“Oh, you have so much money, you can buy it all new again,” she replied lightly, waving her hand dismissively.
He sighed heavily. “Hazel…”
“Come on.” She looked at him pleadingly… Fuck, she wasn’t playing fair. “Consider it a…favor?”
“Fine. Deal. Then you owe me a favor too.”
“Okay. And the favor is…?”
He strolled over to her. “I want you to take your lunch break right now.”
“What?”
“Lunch break. Now.”
“Um…okay? Why…”
