Hot water sluices down my body, but it does little to help my shoulder muscles, tightly bunched around my ears.
I crack my neck and rinse off. No sense in standing here if it’s not going to help my sour mood.
I sling a towel low around my hips and head back to the locker room. A few guys are already heading out, likely to meet their loved ones in the family suite.
I’ve never had anyone there to meet me. Not that it bothers me because I don’t want my family here.
“Don’t let it get you down, Cash.” Troy slaps me on the shoulder as I dry off and slip back into my suit.
“Easy for you to say. I have to visit Cassie.”
“Ouch.” He winces. “What’d you do to incur her wrath?”
“Just being my usual delightful self.”
“Don’t know if I’d call you that.” Troy laughs.
“Get out of here, cap. Go see the wife.”
“See ya at practice tomorrow.” Troy doesn’t need to be told twice, running out to see his family.
Must be nice to have someone to go home to. Not that I don’t love going home to my chocolate Lab, Puck, but it’s not the same. Instead, I grab my wallet, keys, and Dopp Kit and head to Cassie’s office.
The cinder blocks of the tunnel echo around my dress shoes. With the game ending so late, most of the staff hurried to get out of here and are gone.
Photos of bygone teams line the walls. The history of the team and its greatness presses in on you anytime you’re here.
The Colorado Black Diamonds have been one of themost successful teams in the history of the league. Even if we have an off year, we always bounce back. We are in the top ten of most Stanley Cup wins with four.
We pride ourselves on being the best. This is the only professional hockey team I’ve played for, and I want to keep it that way.
I pass through the glass doors of the executive offices and make a beeline for Cassie’s. Her door is wide open since she’s expecting me.
“Cassie.” I drop down into one of the chairs in front of her desk. It’s all glass with a black shelf behind her holding numerous degrees and awards.
A.k.a., don’t mess with her.
“Can you not keep it together during a postgame interview?”
I guess she’s not going to beat around the bush tonight.
“That reporter was a dick.”
“And he was asking you the questions that any reporter would ask after a loss.”
I roll my eyes. “And how many times do I have to answer that we’ll play better next time? It’s a stupid question.”
Cassie opens her laptop and starts tapping away. “Do I need to go over the basics of PR with you again, Cash? You’ve known this since you were drafted. And don’t even get me started on your language. Cash, you’re supposed to be a role model for fans to look up to.”
“I didn’t ask for that.”
“Well, it comes with the territory.”
I grind my teeth together. I do know this, but sometimes, I’m tired. All I want to do is play hockey and not have to deal with the other shit that goes along with it.
“I know how to handle the press.”
“Really? Because after witnessing you out there on theice and that disaster of an interview, I’m questioning whether you know how to do any of it.”
