Page 130 of Home of the Brave

Cambrie moved between the three other cameras, had us test volume, then went to her laptop and nodded, “We’re good.”

I pulled my shoulders back and smiled. “Welcome to the very first episode of Off the Record. I’m your host, Victoria Kehoe, and you might recognize my guest, Josh Henson. Starting goaltender for Utah’s NHL team, gold medalist from USA Men’s hockey team, and most recently the winners of the Stars and Stripes Tournament.” I smiled at him. “Thanks for being our first-ever guest, Josh.”

“I’m honored you allowed me that very special title,” he smiled back at me. “I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this.”

“Let’s get right into it,” I fought to keep a straight face. “For those of you who followed along while we were in DC., you may have heard rumors circulating about us.” I winked at him before turning to the camera. “And we’re here to set the record straight.”

“We’re together,” Josh blurted. “Those weren’t rumors; we didn’t bother trying to hide it.”

I laughed, “No, we really didn’t.”

He leaned back, getting more comfortable. “But it was far from love at first sight.”

I cocked a brow. “Oh, we’re going there?”

He chuckled, “If we’re going to tell our story, we’re doing it right.”

I rolled my eyes, and he jumped in, starting with his perspective of the article, avoiding me at the Olympics, and snapping at the first press meeting.

Cambrie covered her mouth to keep her laughter from getting picked up, but I didn’t bother. I let him finish, and he shrugged, “Did I leave anything out?”

“Nope, I’m pretty sure you covered everything.”

“It’s all off the record, though, right?”

“Of course,” I couldn’t stop smiling at him. “Although, in my version of events, I was attracted to you from the first moment we met all those years ago and couldn’t fathom why you were so rude to me in the beginning.”

“Aw,” he frowned. “I’m glad you stood up to me and called me out on how I was acting.”

“It wasn’t my most professional moment, but I’d say it worked out.”

“I’d say going from enemies to dates at the gala was probably the biggest shock of the entire tournament.” His smile turned sweet. “Showing up with you was better than winning the Cup.”

I put my hand over my heart. “You’re making me blush.”

It had been three weeks since that night, and I still pulled up pictures of him in that black tux at least once a day. He looked incredibly handsome, but hanging out in my apartment, just a short drive away from his, in team sweats and a white t-shirt, was so much better.

I adjusted in my seat and locked in on him. “Well, Josh, you’re not only on the inaugural episode to confirm we’re dating. You told me you have something you need to get off your chest.”

He rubbed his jaw. “Yes. There is something I need to confess, and I wanted to wait until it was safe to do so.”

“Safe? From what?”

“Bodily harm,” he cringed. “Although I’m sure people will find a way to get payback still.”

I glanced at Cambrie, and she looked just as confused. “Okay, well, now I’m nervous.”

He ran his hands over the arms of the chair. “Right, you grew your platform quite a bit during the tournament by covering the pranks and getting our reactions.”

I nodded, “That’s right.”

“You had a secret source letting you know where and when to show up.”

“I did,” I looked to the camera over his shoulder. “An unknown number texted me about the uniforms hanging from the rafters and gave me time to get there and record the player’s reactions.”

“Then the elevators,” he reminded me.

“At the men’s hotel,” I nodded. “There were signs saying they were broken, and the guys had to take the stairs.”