“I haven't gone soft. I just didn't want six puppies to die. Is that so hard to believe?”
“From you? Yeah, kind of,” Ethan says, but his tone is more affectionate than mocking. “You're the guy who once told me attachment is for suckers.”
“People change.”
“They sure do,” Jake mutters, just loud enough for me to hear.
I flip him off and head to the showers, but I can still hear them laughing behind me.
“Ten bucks says he brings her to a game within a month,” Ryan says.
“I'll take that bet,” Blake responds. “Nova doesn't do relationships. This is just a phase.”
If only they knew the woman they're talking about is the one trying to fix my public image while simultaneously driving me insane.
By the time I'm dressed in slacks and a button-down, it's ten forty-five. I check my phone and see a text from Avery that came in twenty minutes ago.
Avery: Reminder. Stick to the talking points we discussed last night. Deflect questions about All-Star weekend, redirect to team success and community involvement.
Last night's phone call had been pure torture. Seven PM, right when I was feeding the puppies, and her voice was all business.
She had walked me through every potential question and every possible angle the reporters might take. Prepared me like it was my first rodeo.
And the whole time, all I could think about was how different her voice sounded when she was under me, gasping my name.
I type back:Got it.
Her response is immediate:See you at 11. Please be on time.
Avery is waiting outside the conference room, and my step falters when I see her. She looks so damn beautiful and untouchable. Nothing about her appearance suggests that two nights ago, she was naked in my bed.
“Morning,” I say.
“Good morning.” Her voice is crisp, professional. She doesn't meet my eyes. “Did you review the talking points?”
“Yeah. Multiple times.”
“Good.” She glances at her tablet. “The puppy posts are performing exceptionally well. Over two hundred thousand impressions in the first three hours. Engagement is up significantly.”
“So your plan worked.”
“It was a solid strategy.” She finally looks at me and smiles. “Are you ready for this?”
“As ready as I'll ever be.”
“Remember, short answers, stay on message, and try to appear approachable. The puppy story has already softened your image. Don't undo that work.”
My voice drips sarcasm as I say, “Yes, ma'am.”
Her jaw tightens at my tone, but she doesn't take the bait.
The conference room is packed with reporters from every major sports outlet and a few entertainment blogs that usually don't cover hockey. Cameras are set up in the back, red recording lights already on.
Cole, Jake, Ryan, and Ethan are already seated at the long table. I take the empty chair at the end, adjusting the microphone in front of me. Avery positions herself off to the side, tablet in hand.
Jennifer is at the front of the room, already addressing them. “Thank you all for coming. We're here today to discuss the Renegades' strong performance this season and upcoming games. The players will take questions for approximately twenty minutes.”
The questions start with Cole, as they always do.
