“This year’s going to be different,” I vowed as she broke away from the right winger and headed for the boards, smiling at my friend. As she noticed me standing beside him, the warmth washed out of her features.
“I’m going to make her like me.”
Blair
New day,new me.
My nose and cheeks hummed in the cold air as I finally let Silver off the hook and put down my camera. We had some great action shots for his personal social account, and some that would go straight into the file for promotional use.
The phone call with my mother the night before still hung heavy over my head, but after a couple hours of sleep and two venti lattes from Starbucks on my way in, I was determined to shed the negativity of the night before and focus on what I loved. Hockey.
A shaggy head of dirty blond hair on a ridiculously tall body made me grin. Waving hello, I skated toward Cavanaugh to see how it had gone with the class he told me about the night before… only to realize he wasn’t alone.
The silken dark hair on a slightly shorter, though no less built, body shouldn’t have been a surprise, but maybe I needed a little more coffee before I dealt with that particular player.
“You’re here early,” Oscar said as I opened the gate and resolutely avoided his friend’s gaze.
“No rest for the wicked,” I quipped. “But hopefully, there’s more coffee in my future. Are you headed in to get changed? We can do some stills before training starts.”
Oscar’s eyes were warm as he clapped me gently on the shoulder, but as he opened his mouth, another voice cut in.
“Sounds great.” The deep timbre sent an unwelcome shiver of pleasure through my body. Despite his surname and obvious Irish features, his accent was all American and far too pleasant, considering my adamant dislike of the man.
“Actually, I was talking to—”
“I’ll just need a minute to kit up, then I’m all yours until Coach wants us.”
His olive-green eyes sparkled with a teasing light that I was sure he used to get what he wanted from everyone around him. It was too early to deal with him, but at least I’d have a chance to get another coffee before I hit the ice with him. Then I could avoid him for the rest of the day.
Sacrifice now for peace of mind later.
“Fine. I’ll meet you here after I get coffee.”
He was already backing toward the change rooms, maintaining eye contact like he thought I’d disappear the second he turned his back. The thought was tempting, and my usual MO when I could get away with it. I tried to create his content with footage recorded during games or, when necessary, filmed in conjunction with Oscar’s stuff. The ‘Caveman’ was a human social lubricant, using his ridiculous good looks and extroverted personality to make any interaction pleasant. Even with certain persons who could remain unnamed.
“Oh, I’d love one, thanks.”
The bastard flashed me a blinding smile and winked, jogging off before I could remind him I wasn’t his goddamn assistant.
Maybe I’d spit in his coffee. It would serve him right.
No more negativity, remember?
Shit. Okay. I could be civil.
Trading my skates for Crocs—when I was changing shoes all day sneakers weren’t practical, and heels were a torture device I reserved for times when I couldn’t avoid them—I went across the road to the Wild Brew Cafe where everyone knew my name… because I was in there several times a day.
The rich scent of coffee beans and sugar hit me like a wave as I pushed through the door and I paused for a moment, breathing the scent deep into my lungs and enjoying the somatic reset it offered. Instant calm.
“Usual, Blair?” Toni, the store manager, asked, already reaching for the largest cup they sold.
“Make it two, please.” I could be nice. And if it wasn’t to his taste, then I could drink it. Win/win.
“How’s the team looking this year?” Toni asked over the squeal of the frother wand. The Canadian barista had made the move to Austin twelve months before to meet up with her high school flame after they matched on a dating app. Their story was something straight out of a sapphic novel and I’d even managed to meet her partner a time or two when the need for coffee had brought me out into the Austin heat in search of my caffeine fix. The only thing Toni ever mentioned regretting about the move was the weather, and the American preference for football over hockey.
“The development camp went really well last month. A lot of players to watch in the next few years. Training camp starts today, though, and the vibe is awesome. Everyone’s excited to get back on the ice.”
The bean grinder interrupted our conversation for a moment and, like an addict, I took a deep breath of the sharp earthy scent.
