Page 5 of Matched with Her Athlete Boss
I park my car in a space away from the door of the Alvey Ice Rink. The Breeze rink has just about everything I could want, except for Brian, the guy who’s basically a professional at skate sharpening. I’ve taken my skates to him ever since I started playing in the NHL because he always did such a great job when I came to camps at this rink. I grab my skates out of the trunk and my phone rings as I shut it.
It's Dave, my agent. He’s been working on some endorsement deals for me, which would be nice to fill the time after I’m done with training every day.
“Hey Dave,” I say, walking toward the door.
“Trey. Okay, I’ve got some amazing deals for you. The hockey company, Bauer, wants you to be in a few of their commercials coming up. It will only take a half-day to film and do voiceovers. That will happen closer to season. The second deal is for a local matchmaking company. You’ll meet the owner of Love, Austen next Monday around lunchtime at their offices.” Dave has never been one to waste words.
“I’m excited about the Bauer endorsement but what is Love, Austen?” I ask. I lean against the wall next to the doors to finish the conversation.
“I just told you. It’s a matchmaking company. They’re filming a docuseries on how the whole process works and you’ll get to be one of the main people they follow.”
My stomach sinks at the news and I stop, trying to register his words. Now that company name is familiar. My teammate, Carson Carver was on their reality show,The Suitor, a few years ago. He reconnected with his childhood sweetheart and now they’re living the dream. Two adorable kids and a relationship to envy.They are the reason I’ve had this restless feeling about settling down. I need someone who will help me navigate life as an adult while also not making me feel like she’s controlling everything. My mom is a pro at that and while I love her to pieces, I’m twenty-eight and need some room to breathe.
“You know I’m the worst at being filmed when I’m not talking about hockey. This will be like watching a plane crash.”
“Well, they’re willing to take a chance on you. You might even get your wish.”
“What wish?” Dave and I know a decent amount about each other, but that’s mostly for business purposes, not for wedding bells.
“To have a family.”
Doubtful.
Everything in my brain is warring and I feel like a small child ready to throw a tantrum. Instead, I take a deep breath. “If I don’t like anything about the show or their plans for it, I’m walking.”
Dave laughs and says, “That’s just fine, man. Seriously. The owner is pretty chill and the whole operation seems like it works. If I wasn’t already married, I’d be tempted to give it a try.”
Even though Dave has been my agent for several years, I’m not sure if I can take that as truth or him trying to ease my worries about the whole thing.
“Fine. I’ll be there Monday. See you there.”
“I have to go on vacation with the in-laws. My wife has already threatened many things if I don’t go. Or take my phone. There’s a lot going on here.”
I shift from one leg to the other, trying to wrap my brain around the idea. "So much going on that you forgot about signing me up for a matchmaking service?"
“Marriage is a juggle, man. My wife went out of town for a few days and I have to say, she must be Superwoman or something because I don't know how she does it all."
"That might be a sign for you to step in more often," I say, laughing. It's at least something to get my mind off promoting a matchmaking website.How am I supposed to do that?
I’ve never had trouble finding a date for the various events I have to go to, but most were there for the pictures that made it to the headlines, not for anything long-term.
Maybe talking to Carson would be a good idea. He’d have some inside information that would help me feel at ease, especially with the cameras. Or turn it all down.
My phone rings again, and to my surprise, it’s my friend Spencer. I doubt the man has ever seen seven in the morning.
“Spencer, what’s–”
“I forgot some tennis shoes. Will you bring an extra pair if you haven’t left yet?”
My brain is reeling as I’m trying to figure out what he means. “Left for what? I’m heading to get my skates sharpened.”
“The mud run, remember? We all signed up to do it on Dani’s orders.”
I only vaguely recall them talking about a mud run, but not that it was this morning. “I didn’t sign up for anything.”
Spencer groans. “Dude, we knew you’d forget. I signed you up but you have to get on the highway now to meet us there.”
Shaking my head, I say, “I’m not doing a mud run. I have things to do.” I glance down at the list I made. There isn’t anything pressing, but I don’t need Spence to know that.
