Page 61 of The Puck Stops Here
‘No.’
‘Setbacks?’
He shifted position. ‘The first time we bombed out of the playoffs, I wasn’t prepared for it. I like to win, and unfortunately, in any sport, at any level, no matter how hard you work, you can’t always win.’
‘And that’s important to you?’
He gave a laugh. ‘Isn’t it to everyone?’
‘Some more than most.’
‘Yeah, well, we live and breathe competition. We want to win, and for a long time, it felt like the only metric to judge my career by. I still struggle with it but I’m learning to dust off the losses.’
‘How so?’
‘I don’t look back. Not ever. You can’t change what’s in the past. You learn from your mistakes, and you move on.’
And is that how he’d moved on from Sissi? Classed her as a mistake? Dusted her off? She spied her pencil bending in her grip and forced her fingers to relax.
‘Is that a motto you apply to your personal life too?’
‘Why not? It works.’
Why not indeed…
‘What’s been your toughest challenge to date?’
‘Easy. The physical exertion. It’s gruelling. The training schedule, the games… the pressure never lets up.’
She took up her water as she feigned an understanding nod. ‘Not leaving Ashbury Falls behind? The people you must’ve?—’
‘I told you I don’tlook back.’
‘Right, you did.’ Too quickly. Too forcefully. And that was the bit she wanted to unpick… ‘So how do you deal with the pressure?’
‘I keep focused on my goal. Get better. Be the best.’
‘It must take its toll mentally.’
‘There’s pressure in every job.’
‘But not every job comes with the added pressure of being a public figurehead and with all your sponsorship deals, you’re more than just the face of the Titans; how do you cope with that?’
‘I tune it out. It’s just fuzz. I’m here to play the game and make our fans proud.’
Gah. He was so good at this, every answer so noble and agreeable.
‘What about all those sponsorship deals? Do you truly believe in the products you promote?’
‘I wouldn’t put my name to anything I didn’t.’
‘So the aftershave, the bottled tan, the strawberrysundaes…?’
‘You’ve seen that one?’
She gave a sceptical hum as she raised her brows at his chiselled torso.
‘Everything can be enjoyed in moderation, Astrid.’
