“Hmmm… Playing a hero. Nice. That definitely would boost your image,” she continued.
Whether or not they believed me, I wasn’t certain I cared. When the two of them looked at each other, I shook my head and laughed. “You are not using her in some crazy social media game. That’s not fair. She didn’t ask to be a part of my life. In fact, she doesn’t even like me all that much. Trust me. Her words were not kind.”
They shared another look and it was as if they’d had this all planned out.
“What’s her name?” Bobby asked and there was no doubt by the flash in his eyes he was playing a little game.
A lot of people considered me an asshole. Others considered me arrogant, like the beautiful woman I’d been lucky enough to spend time with. And I’d done some shitty things in my life, including leading women on. However, I wasn’t a total asshole.
“I didn’t get her name. Besides. She doesn’t live here. She’s in vacationing with friends.”
The visible disappointment was disturbing.
Meanwhile, I was determined to keep Christine protected.
As expected, Ansley’s heavy sigh was annoying. “Okay then. We’ll use a different tactic. I’ll email you some notes including the rules of engagement as required by the team. We’ll chat once a week to ensure you’re on track.” She headed for the door, sashaying her hips as she did. When she had the door open, she barely tipped her head over her shoulder before tossing out another barb. “And if I see you doing anything mischievous, I will call your ass on the carpet. Don’t make me do that.”
Unable to help myself, I mimicked her words silently as she walked out, my body entirely too animated.
Bobby chuckled. “Don’t let her get to you. She’s not a bad kid and she knows her stuff.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Exhaling, I rubbed my eyes, the ache behind them more pronounced than before. “I’m not going to fake a damn relationship. That’s not who I am.”
“I understand. I really do.”
“Are we done because my roommate informed me I need to find another place to live pronto.”
“Ouch. I might have a lead on a little rental house. It’s owned by a friend of mine. Cute place. I’ve been inside. Anyway, I’ll send you the address.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
“One more thing. There’s a big game coming up in two weeks.”
“Oh, yeah?”
He nodded. Why was it that a sly grin drifted across his face? “Against the Chicago Wild Dogs.”
My brother’s team. I knew I’d have to compete against him, but from what I’d seen, that wouldn’t occur until much later in the season and after I had a chance of getting my shit together. “Fuck.”
“Yeah. The schedule was changed. Don’t ask me how or by whom, but I can guess someone pretty important had influence to make that happen. There are already some rumors flying about the two savages meeting on the ice.”
Bristling, I could feel an entirely different level of anger furrowing deep inside. “They’re pitting us against each other.”
“You bet. What better ratings. And my guess is the powers that be hope your sibling rivalry will remain intact.”
The look on his face indicated something much more sinister was going on. “What aren’t you telling me?”
He shook his head. “I just have a bad feeling someone or some entity is hoping the two of you lose your cool. As you might imagine, that is very… disconcerting for us including the team owners.”
Meaning that we’d breach all protocol and shift in front of an entire world of people. So they could make good on their claims that we were nothing but uncontrollable beasts.
Fuck.
This was all just a game and one I wasn’t good at playing.
“Don’t worry, Coach. I’ll be ready. So will my brother. After all, we are professionals.”
CHAPTER 14
