“Well, fucking don’t. The woe is me shit isn’t going to fly here. You also aren’t going to damage arena property. I couldn’t help but notice you used your locker as a punching bag. You’re a professional. You’re in the big leagues now, which you’ve fought for since you were a teenager. Did you know I saw you play a few years ago?”
When I tipped my head, he was smiling. “Where?”
“You were so damn good you were scooped off your high school team, drafted as a center to play with the University of Chicago. I heard all about you cause my agent insisted I go to a game. I did, but I wasn’t happy about it. Trust me.” He laughed bitterly. “Little did I know at the time, but I was about to be put on suspension and my agent thought I’d get a boost seeing young blood.”
“Oh, yeah? What did you think?”
“That you were fucking phenomenal. Just amazing. Anyway, you taught me a few moves that I took back with me. Salvaged my career for a year or so.”
A thought entered my mind. “You were the one who wanted me to come here. You pushed, didn’t you?”
He laughed. “I figured one good deed deserved another. You’re good. Just a little rough around the edges. Uponmy recommendation, we took a chance on you when other teams wanted nothing to do with you. Yeah, I get you feel discriminated against because of your lineage. But when you put your mind to the game, you are the best in the business. Hands down.”
“Better than my brother?”
He lifted his eyebrows. “Yeah. Better than your brother. Don’t let that go to your head.”
“You mean because I’m a wolf.” I shouldn’t have done it, but I growled and even bared my teeth to make a point.
My human teeth.
Neither shrank away in fear. Well, hell. I couldn’t even make anyone terrified that I’d eat them. What good was I after all? Okay, maybe I had dipped into the feeling sorry for myself pool of quicksand, but I was talented. I worked just as hard as my brother. I deserved a chance.
Maybe, but they’re right. You’re about to blow it because of petty jealousy.
My inner voice hadn’t been active for some time. Now, the all-knowing personality decided to rear its ugly head.
“Yeah, Masters. Because you’re a wolf.” He rolled his eyes. “Now, I can’t imagine what it feels like to be treated as if you’re going to come unglued at any moment, but you’re allowing these people to get to you. Instead of doing your job and feeling like the lucky man you truly are, you’re pretending being given this kind of an opportunity means nothing to you. Do you know how many little boys and even girls dream of being in your position? Thousands and if they’re lucky and work really hard and have the talent,something you have in spades, they might get a single chance to prove themselves. The difference between you and those talented kids is that they won’t allow anything to stop them from achieving their goals.”
I turned away from the window, shoving my hands into my pockets. “I get it. Have respect for myself and my fans.”
At least Ansley lit up like a Christmas tree. “Exactly.” She even clapped her hands. “I think we can work together to turn your social media around quickly and build your numbers. I’ll also get some candid shots of you during your next practice. We have team photos coming up on Friday. Don’t we?”
Bobby nodded. “Yeah. Since the first game with you as center is on Saturday, the owners want to make certain we cover all media sources on Saturday.”
Ansley nodded. “You’re going to need to promise me not to get into bar fights when you go out, Beast.”
“That’s not my name,” I insisted.
“For all practical purposes, it is,” she told me. “The fighting?”
“I didn’t get into one last night,” I reminded her. As if she was listening.
“Maybe you should refrain from going out at all. At least to normal bars. You need to eat, sleep, drink, and think about nothing but hockey.”
Now it was my turn with Bobby to glance at each other, thoroughly confused as to what she was getting at. “I can do that. But there are abnormal bars? What are you talking about?”
She rolled her eyes as if I was an idiot. “Yes. You know what I mean. Wolf bars. You are a werewolf. Right?” Was she seriously asking?
“Steven is a member of the Lycanthrope family or a wolf shifter, Ansley.” The coach had difficulty with his amusement.
I didn’t bother correcting her.
“Okay then. When you go out, maybe hit the Wolf Bar.”
“Is there a name of this bar?” I threw out, completely disgusted at this point.
She blinked several times. “That is the name.”
