“Thank you all for taking the time to come in today,” Sabrina starts. “We’re just waiting for two more before we begin.”
I stare at the time on my phone’s lock screen, wondering how long this will take. I have at least another two hours left of training and recovery before I can head back to my apartment. As the numbers change to ten o’clock, Coach Blake walks through the door. There’s something about her hair that’s slightly different today, making her face look softer. It’s…
“Thanks for waiting,” a man says, and I realize I failed to notice that Coach Blake was followed in by none other than Ken Peterson, the owner of the Denver Yeti.Fuck.Now is not the time for distractions. This must be serious if the owner is getting involved.
Mr. Peterson offers, sitting down, “Sabrina, this was your brainchild. Why don’t you take it away?”
“Thanks, Ken.” Sabrina smiles widely as she clicks a button. At the end of the room, an image appears on the TV. “I’m excited to announce that you all will be participating in a very exciting new PR campaign: ‘The Great Yeti Challenge.’”
She looks around the room as if expecting applause, but when she gets none, she smooths out her ice-blue blazer and forges ahead. “In pre-established pairs, you all spend the next two months participating in a series of five challenges, all of which will be recorded and broadcast on social media. A winner will be picked each week.”
No. Nope. Not happening. Iwill notbe competing in challenges.
“This is just what the team needs to really get the fan base behind us,” Mr. Peterson praises from his seat next to Sabrina. “The Mountaineers did something similar last year, and the basketball games’ attendance increased by almost fifteenpercent within the first month.” He smiles at us, like that should be enough of a reason to do some ridiculous challenge.
I look around the room to see how the rest of the group is responding. Dr. Pearce is in full student mode, her e-pencil poised on the top of her device, ready to take notes. Li is watching her like he’s trying to decide whether he needs to take out his notebook, too. Larsen is—Oh, Jesus, Murphy, they’re going to pair me with Larsen.
I enjoyed having the guys over to my place a few weeks ago, but Larsen is a golden retriever who someone fed a bowl of sugar and then set loose a basket of squirrels. He stops by my place regularly now that he knows where I live, and frequently invites me to come over for dinner or to come play video games with him and Li. It’s… Okay, it’s actually pretty fun, but it’s also a lot. When I was in Florida, I spent time with people socially once every couple of months at most. I’m okay with some Larsen in my life, but I know if we get paired together, it will be too much. I’ll bark at him, and like the puppy he is, he’ll be devastated. And then I’ll have to live with that on my conscience.
Sabrina walks us through a series of five challenges, including a bake-off, a talent show, an obstacle course with other Colorado pro athletes, a trivia contest, where we answer questions about our partner, and a surprise final event that she won’t give us any more information on. She didn’t even break when Larsen stuck out his bottom lip and begged.
“And finally,” she says, “the moment you’ve all been waiting for—the teams.”
I catch the quick glance Li gives Dr. Pearce, and a tug pulls on the side of my lips. Does Li have a thing for Pearce? I guess in my new role as team leader—despite the lack of C on my jersey—I should talk to him about why falling for a coach would be a good way to ruin his career.
“J.D., you’re pairing with Rob,” Sabrina informs them, nodding toward the two men as J.D. pats Rob on the shoulder.
“Team Dad!” Larsen jokes, earning him an eye roll from both men. Though I hate to admit it, J.D. isn’t half bad as a captain. He has the guys’ respect, even if he wasn’t able to get the defense straightened out.
Sabrina ignores him and continues with her list, “Lefevre and Dr. Pearce.”
Li’s shoulders slump ever so slightly as Lefevre lets out a whoop.
“Björk, you’re with Volkov.” The two high-five, and I laugh as Larsen starts poking Li in the arm.
“Please tell me I’m with anyone except the rookie,” Li pleads.
Sabrina laughs. “Li and Larsen. How could I break up the bromance?!”
Li drops his head into his hands. “Please don’t call it that.”
“Dude!” Larsen exclaims, dropping a heavy arm over Li’s shoulder. “We’re going to kick ass!”
“Everly, you’re with John,” Sabrina tells the two youngest people in the room by far, both here for college internships.
“Team Intern!” Larsen laughs. “You two are going to get crushed.”
I look around the room, realizing I’m the only player left. And the only other people in the room are the owner, my coach, and the head of PR. Who the fuck—
“And that leaves Beckett and Coach Blake.”
Coach’s head jerks up from her phone. “No.” She looks back down as if that’s the end of the conversation. I mean, I don’t want to partner with her, either, but that’s pretty fucking rude.
Sabrina sighs, looking to the owner for support.
“You’re an important part of this team, Coach Blake.” Mr. Peterson focuses his attention on Coach. “We need you out there.”
“Ah, she’s just scared that Li and I are going to kick her and Kane’s ass,” Larsen teases, shooting me a wink.
