I've never seen media training like this. In ten years of professional hockey, I've sat through my fair share of 'how to talk to reporters' presentations. They're always boring. Always pointless.
But this is different.
This is a full-blown production.
And I hate how impressed I am.
Beck arrives first, sliding into the seat beside me. "Shit. This might actually be good."
"Shut up."
Mason follows, taking the seat on my other side. Thank Christ Biscuit's not with him. "Damn. This is the real deal. How we feeling over there, Dec? Do we still follow your example?"
They both snigger, sensing how uncomfortable this is making me.
"You're both assholes."
"Love you too, Cap."
The rest of the team trickles in over the next few minutes. Finn and Sawyer, Max, Spencer and Travis, all of them still dressed like they just came from the beach. Pete Langford and Coach Pearson find their seats too, as Corbin Cole rushes in last, looking nervous as he takes a seat right up the front.
The room is packed.
And then there's Josie.
"Alright, everyone. Thanks for coming. I know this isn't how you'd normally spend your afternoon, but I promise this will be painless."
Beck snorts. "Famous last words."
Josie ignores him. "As you can see, we're going to do some media training today. Basic stuff. How to handle interviews, what to say when you don't want to answer a question, and how to pivot to talking points that don't attract unwanted attention." She clicks again, and a video starts playing. "Likethis."
It's a compilation of athletes getting destroyed in post-game interviews. Fumbling over words. Getting defensive. Saying something stupid that ends up as a headline.
The room groans in collective recognition.
"These are cautionary tales," Josie says, her lips glossy and distracting as she speaks. "Don't be these guys."
She runs through a few other scenarios. How to handle a tough question about a loss. How to deflect when a reporter asks about personal drama. How to stay on brand without sounding like a robot.
She's good. I'll give her that.
Then she starts pulling guys up one by one, going through a pretend interview with each of them. Spencer goes first, flashingthat Calvin Klein smile until Josie asks about his 'dating show history' and he blanks while the room loses it. Finn answers every question in Irish slang nobody understands. Corbin says 'sir' three times to an imaginary reporter and nearly cries. Beck turns his entire mock interview into a stand-up routine until Josie cuts him off, and somehow that's the funniest part of all.
She's got them eating out of her hand.
The whole team is laughing. Engaged. Wanting their turn.
But then her gaze lands on me.
And her expression shifts.
"Declan. Your turn."
I lean back in my chair, arms crossed. "I'm good."
"I'm sure you are. But let's do a practice run anyway. Just to be safe."
"I don't need practice."
