I scrunch up my nose. “He’s only concerned with what happens inside the rink. As long as nothing from the outside affects his team’s performance, then he doesn’t care much beyond that.”
Colton hums his agreement. “I’d be the same if I were him—another bottom-of-the-league finish last season has got to be weighing heavy on his shoulders by now.”
I smile at my boss, though it’s only to mask the truth in his statement. Sometimes, I wonder if Dad regrets taking on the role and relinquishing the college hockey job he had before the Rogues were formed. With the Scorpions flying high each season, it feels like the city is divided, and while Emmett Richards’s appointment a few seasons back has definitelyhelped, I know Dad is holding out for Will’s arrival to make an impact on the team and start turning losses into the wins they desperately need.
And regardless of his cocky nature, Will absolutely possesses the type of generational talent it takes to alter the fortunes of a team and inspire its fan base.
Quickly, excitement over the prospect of working with Will—along with the exposure this could bring for my own career—fizzles out, leaving behind the reality of what I’ll be taking on.
Will hasn’t hit one puck in the NHL yet, and he’s already got millions of eyes on him across North America.
I swallow hard, and Colton notices the shift in my demeanor.
“Is this something you want to take on, Drew?”
I pause on answering for the briefest second.
“Because I personally think you are ready.” He continues talking. “Sure, Will is a handful—we all know that—but I really think this is a great chance for you to get your name?—”
“I want the job.” I don’t even let Colton finish his sentence.
He smiles and clasps his hands on the wooden table in front of him. “And you know I’ll be here to support you, right?”
I nod once, pushing all self-doubt to the back of my mind.
It’s Will, for Christ’s sake. If he gives me shit, I’ll just tell him to get a goddamn grip and start acting like a professional. We’ve known each other for years, and he isn’t about to screw this up for either of us. He wouldn’t do that to me.
“Good. That’s settled then,” Colton confirms, dropping his leg and standing. “I think your priority is to first study his existing social media—along with any other public platforms he may have—and work out what needs to be archived.”
Just the entire past decade then.
Reopening my laptop, I hastily begin taking notes.
“I also think it would be wise to draft up a tailored crisis management plan and have Will approve it within the first week of you two working together.”
My fingers still. Crisis management is a part of what we do as publicists, but it’s interesting Colton wants me to pull one together so quickly and one customized for Will.
“What about brand partnerships?” I question. “Do we need to steer Will’s image in a certain direction and align with particular companies?”
Colton nods. “I understand that Will’s team has several potential deals in the works, although nothing has dropped as of yet.” Lines form across his forehead. “Apparently, a deal with a huge, and very influential, new sneaker brand went south a couple of weeks ago, and that’s contributed to the Rogues seeking external PR expertise.”
My jaw pops open. “Are you talking about Repeet? They’re making waves in the leisure industry right now.”
Colton nods and grimaces at the same time.
I rack my brain, trying to think over what Will could’ve posted or said that would put a brand deal like that in jeopardy.
When Colton gets a call on his cell, I take advantage of the pause and pull up Will’s socials.
Nothing on TikTok.
Or Threads.
Nothing on Instagram.
Fuck.
Will got into an online argument with a New York Blades fan two weeks ago over …
