The only thing she’s wearing, or rather carrying that’s not pink, is that bag of hers. All brown leather except for the pink tassel. I’m guessing she added that herself.
And let’s not forget the adorable pink blush rising up her cheeks as I study her.
I clear my throat. “Sorry. I’ve never met anyone who seems to love pink as much as you do.”
She grins. “Guess I never lost my childhood crush on the color.”
The bus horn sounds. Gabe waves at us from the door. My heart starts to race again, and my chest tightens. The back of my neck feels hot, and I feel sweat trickle down my back.
Sophie touches my arm. “Hey, are you okay?”
I snap my gaze to hers. If I tell her the truth, will she include that detail in her article about me? I can see the headline now…
Sun Kings Captain About to Sink Ship
“Yeah, I’m good. Just in a rush. We better get on the bus.”
Once she clears the door, I measure my strides so she can board first. Part of me hopes Gabe forgot about the interview or that there are no more seats together, sparing me the need to conceal my anxiety over this game. I hope that’s all this is anddoesn’t become a pattern. The other part of me wants to sit with her because of the relaxing effect she has on me, which is odd considering how much I dislike reporters.
But Sophie says she’s a photojournalist. I’m still fuzzy on the difference.
She hands her suitcase to Derek, who loads it into the storage areas of the bus.
Gabe points to the seats behind the driver. “Saved those for you two.”
Great. Guess I get to see how good of an actor I can be.
Sophie takes the window seat and sets her bag down by her feet. Grateful for the leg room, I take the one next to the aisle.
Neither of us says a word until the bus merges onto the interstate. My nerves are still on edge, but the warmth of Sophie’s shoulder against my bicep has given me something to focus on.
She reaches into her bag. “I’m sure you’re anxious to take your nap, so I’ll get my notes, and we can start.”
Not as anxious as I was, thanks to her. I nod, then glance across the aisle. Gabe grins and gives me two thumbs-up. He may be a friend, but right now, he’s my coach, so I’ll do my best to behave.
Sophie flips her notebook open to the page she showed me in her makeshift office. “Okay, we covered the first three or four questions…”
I point to the fifth one. “Start there.”
She lifts those big browns of her to stare at me. “Are you trying to commandeer my interview?”
“Not at all. That’s where we left off. Like I said, I read over your questions last night, so I’d be prepared as you suggested. And that’s where we left off. Just being helpful.”
“You like being helpful, don’t you?” She tilts her head, waiting for my answer.
The intensity of her gaze makes it hard to breathe. I guessit could be from the anxiety I’m battling, but this feels different. “I suppose. Yeah. Sometimes, it seems necessary.”
“I assumed you deemed these interviewsunnecessary.”
Is she teasing me? “Did you just admit toassuming?”
“Yes, I did. Care to comment?” She looks down at her notebook as she flips to a blank page, pen poised to write.
I try to suppress my smile as I shake my head. “Not at all.”
“All right then. Let’s get started.
She starts with my stats while playing with the Barracudas, then transitions to joining the Sun Kings. No questions about my mother’s accident or leaving hockey to take care of my sister. It’s strictly about the game, the team, and my expectations for the season. The more I talk, the more relaxed I feel, as if talking things out helps relieve whatever’s causing me to feel anxious.
