I smile back at my communications director. “Not really since I sign your paychecks.”
“Technically accounting does. And technically it’s not a real check anymore.” She laughs.
I roll my eyes at her and stand. “Whatever. I have a meeting with Coach Barney I need to get to.”
“Well, I think you’re doing good.”
Cassie follows me as I head down the hall in the practice rink toward the coaches’ offices. A few of the guys are coming off the ice from practice.
I stand back and watch. They’re giving each other shit about something, it looks like, laughing and joshing around.
This is why I love doing what I do. I grew up around the game. With my dad playing for the Black Diamonds, this team means everything to me.
My eyes connect with our newest goalie, Nick Brooks-Young. A flush creeps up his cheeks as he tries to scurry even faster toward the locker room.
A feat considering he is in his goalie gear.
A smirk creeps up my lips. I think back to our earlier interaction from this week. It’s like he takes one look at me and he can’t string two words together.
I’m not that intimidating, am I?
I don’t rule with fear. I don’t see the point in making people scared of you. So I can’t quite figure out why Nick scurries away from me.
The rest of the day goes by without incident.
Meeting after meeting. A never-ending list of phone calls to return.
“Bex?” Anna, my assistant comes into my office, my bag in her hand.
“You wanted me to let you know when it’s seven.”
“Shit,” I mutter.
I glance at my watch and it’s seven on the dot. I have a date tonight. Not that I am overly excited about it, but at least I am putting myself out there.
“Can you cancel?” I ask.
“Nope.” Anna looks at me with a satisfied smile on her face.
“Aren’t you supposed to do what I ask of you?” I laugh, dropping the papers in my hand.
Even if I left now, in Denver traffic, it would take me at least thirty minutes to get across town.
Is it even worth it?
“If you want to cancel your date, you can do it. I was told to remind you of it so you could make it in time.”
“I should go.” There’s not much conviction in my voice.
“But…”
Anna knows me too well, having started with me last year when I got promoted. And in that time, the number of men I’ve scared off because they can’t handle what I do? The fact that I manage a professional hockey team?
It’s too many to count.
“But I need to review the new league initiatives on player safety that we’ll be voting on at the next league-wide meetings.”
Anna rolls her eyes at me.
