“I did?” I’m not sure why it comes out as a question. I know I did. I had a killer practice, but when I get around people I’m not comfortable with, I turn into this.
Someone who loses all thought and ends up spewing random words all over the place.
“Of course. It’s why we pay you the big bucks.”
“Big bucks. Me. Right.”
Fidgeting, I take my gloves and helmet off. I need something to do with my hands to try and stop myself from making this worse.
“Even though this is my second season as GM, I’m still learning the ropes around here, but you’re one of the breakout stars from your draft class. Picked in the middle of the pack and not expected to get much playing time?—”
“Until Anderson went down.”
It isn’t the kind of hit I like to see toward anyone. His legs got taken out from under him while another guy crashed into him from behind. It broke his femur in two spots. He was never quite the same after that.
Even though he isn’t playing anymore, he still offers me his guidance.
“I hear he’s been helping you.”
“Yup.”
Bex smiles at me because I can’t elaborate any more than that. “I hear he studies film with you. Quite nice when he’s no longer with the team.” She quirks a perfect brow at me.
“Really nice. He’s good at it. Helps me. A lot.”
Words, Nick, words.
“Good, I’m glad.” Bexley looks off to the ice where the other guys are still running through drills. “I don’t want to keep you. Just came to see how the guys are doing today.”
“Right.”
I wish I could be more impressive around this woman. She’s a badass as far as I’m concerned. It only makes my blabbering worse around her.
I’m not your typical egotistical hockey player. I’d rather stay out of the spotlight. It’s quite the conundrum of a job—loving what I do, but not wanting to be in the limelight.
I want to come off as the confident goalie I am between the pipes. Usually it’s not this bad. But somehow, being in the presence of someone so…so powerful and assured only makes it worse for me.
The sounds of sticks hitting the ice tells me practice is wrapping up. I need to hit the weight room to wind down before heading home.
“Gentlemen. Looking good out there. Looks like we could have another great season this year,” Bex calls out as the guys start skating off the ice.
“Hope so,” Troy tells her matter-of-factly. “Team is strong this year.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
Players jostle me as they go, pushing me right into Bexley. In my skates and gear, I tower over her. She is small compared to me, but that is not the way I’d describe her.
“Sorry,” I whisper to her.
A smile tilts up one side of her mouth. “It’s okay.”
I shouldn’t be thinking about what a cute smile that is. Or how good she smells.For God sake’s, Nick, she’s your GM, I chide myself.
It’s overwhelming being this close to her. It shouldn’t be, though. I need to push these thoughts out of my head. The lastthing I need is to think about Bexley this way. It will only make it worse for me the next time I see her.
Just because she smiled at you and complimented your play doesn’t mean she likes you.She does it for everyone.
“Bex. Glad you’re here. Ready to talk numbers?” Coach Barney asks her.
