Page 6 of Capturing the Captain

I pull up to the stadium just in time. I rush to get out of my car, change and get onto the ice before Coach berates me for being late again. I've been distracted lately and the only reason is the blonde bombshell that crashed into my life.

I've never let a woman distract me from the ice before, yet I've been spending every waking minute with her on my mind.

I skate onto the ice before Coach appears. My teammates have already started skating laps around the rink. Coach has had a stick up his ass lately and no one wants to cross him.

Michaelson skates up my left side and slows down when he gets beside me. “What’s up, Cap. You’re looking extra chipper today.”

“Chipper?” I ask, “Just happy to be here is all.”

“It’s a girl isn't it?” I give him a look that answers his question. “Is it the girl? Olivia?”

“Yeah it is!” I shout and he whoops along with me, bumping his shoulder against mine. It’s a good job Coach isn't here or we'd be getting yelled at like a bunch of school boys right about now. “I bumped into her this morning. We have a date tonight."

“Take it she didn't get the job then?” He asks, as we calm down.

“No, she did get it.” We continue skating around the rink until Coach comes, but there's no sign of him yet.

“Wait, wait, wait.” He slows down to a crawl. “I thought you weren't gonna see each other if she got the job?”

“We weren't. But we spent hours together this morning and it was the most amazing, fun filled few hours of my life. I couldn’t not pursue that.” I say, “Plus, it's only a week together. It might not even work out.”

“And if it does work out?” He questions.

“Then we’ll stop seeing each other until the season's over.” I skate faster, catching up to the rest of the team who are now two laps ahead of us.

“Be real here, Josh.” Oh shit, he first named me. He means business. “If this really worked out, you can't stop seeing each other. Physically and emotionally, it wouldn't work. I know I said forbidden relationships can work but my situation is different from yours.” I contemplate that. Sure, we're older now, and our professional lives are at play, but will it be worth it?

“You would get a slap on the wrist. Olivia, she would lose her job. We all saw what happened to Janet when she got caught with Knight. We know how this game plays out.”

Maybe he’s right. Not maybe, I know he’s right. But can I throw away what could possibly be the best thing that has ever happened to me over a hypothetical situation? I really need to think this through. I can already tell I'm gonna be more distracted on the ice today than I have been all week.

5

Olivia

I stayed at the coffee shop for three hours after Josh left. I really needed to get some editing work done before starting this new job but I couldn't focus. That man has my head swirling in the best way possible!

I’ve been taking on clients privately; weddings, family photoshoots, and my favorite, newborn portraits. They are just so beautiful and getting to pose them however I want? Aww, it makes my ovaries tingle just thinking about it.

I get back to my apartment at 4pm and decide I need to shower and shave. I need to look my best tonight for my date with Josh. If I had the time, I'd make an appointment to get waxed but I don't, so shaving will have to do.

I wash my hair and body, and shave everywhere I can reach. I'm not taking any chances tonight.

After drying off, I apply my favorite moisturizer and check my phone. Still no text from Josh. Maybe he’s changed his mind? It’s almost 5pm, I should have heard from him by now. After pulling on some sweats and an oversized t-shirt, I settle down at my makeup table and begin drying my hair. My phone starts vibrating beside me and I immediately get butterflies. That’s short lived when I see who's calling. It’s my best friend, Sasha. Don't get me wrong, I love her, but I was hoping it was someone else. Turning the hair dryer off, I answer the FaceTime call.

“Hey girl, what’s up?” I say, brushing out my now slightly damp hair.

“Hey! So I have a question. Well it’s more like a favor.” I swear all of our calls start like this lately. Before I moved here, I lived in New York which was a 5-hour drive from Sash but now it’s a quick 10-minute walk away. I'm so thankful to have her close by but I feel like I should be getting some sort of compensation for all these “favors”.

“Depends on what it is…” I reply, a hint of skepticism in my tone.

“It’s an engagement shoot.” I immediately cringe. I have so much work going on right now and I'm about to start this new job. I don't have time to take on new clients and …

My thoughts are caught off by a high pitched squeal. “Because you know,” she pauses, “I got engaged last night!!” She screams, holding up her hand and showing off the gigantic engagement ring on her left hand.

“WHAT??? Oh my God, congratulations!” Tears well in my eyes and I try to blink them away. “He finally did it! It took him long enough.” Sasha and Max have been together since we were fifteen but they've been friends since they were kids. I joined the duo when I moved here at ten years old.

“Oh I know, girl. I was gonna tell you last night but we got a little busy, if you know what I mean.” She winks at me through the phone and I laugh.