“Great.” I clasp my hands. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”
He laughs again. “I don’t have any choice in the matter, do I?”
“Nope.” I bite my lower lip. “Anyway, you owe me. For stealing my snacks, and my room.”
“I did no such thing,” he says, rolling his eyes. “But fine. I’ll give you an interview.”
“Anexclusiveinterview,” I correct. “And you’ll tell me exactly who Baptiste Marchand is. The man, not the player.”
“So, you’re interested in getting to know me better?” He grins, confidence dripping from his tone.
His comeback kicks up the flutter in my stomach, and I shoot it—and Baptiste—down with a glare.
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just doing my job. Some peoplemightbe interested in what you’re up to. So, we got a deal? Full interview, no holding back?”
“You’re a tough negotiator.”
“Big-shot journalist, remember?” I say with a tight smile. “How about tomorrow afternoon?”
He shakes his head. “Can’t. I have PT and a bunch of meetings. I can do Friday afternoon, if that works for you.”
I nod. “Perfect.”
“Do you want to come to my suite? I have a small living room we can use. You know, since I got the better room.”
I prop a hand on my hip. “I’m not allowed on the VIP floor, remember?” Nor do I have any interest in visiting this guy’s room.I admit, it would be easier to learn more about him that way, but it feels way too intimate.
“Sure you are,” he says. “My teammates’ wives are always there.”
“Well, I don’t quite fit into that category.” I twist my lips to the side. “I’ll see if I can get us a meeting room. The hotel owes me after my check-in disaster. How about two o’clock?”
He dips his chin. “Sounds good.”
“Great. I’ll see you then.”
I spin on my heel and walk away.
“Exit’s that way,” he calls behind me, and I freeze.
I shoot him a forced smile over my shoulder and saunter off—the right way this time.
As I reach the doors to the seating area, my mood brightens. This is good.
My first win since I got here.
An exclusive interview with a hockey player who never talks to the media about his personal life? Score.
And chances are, he has some dark secrets lying around, just like everyone else, and I have no doubt I’ll uncover every last one.
7
Baptiste
The last few days have followed an upward trajectory. Our Stripes team is finding its footing, and we’re starting to garner some good results on the ice. About time too. First game is in three days with only one practice left beforehand.
I’m now meeting up with Harper for my interview, a moment I’ve both been looking forward to and dreading. On one hand, the idea of sparring with her feels sharper, more real than any cookie-cutter hockey questions ever could. On the other, I haven’t been giving interviews about my life for a reason. My past isn’t a headline, and I have zero interest in watching my early years turn into gossip fodder—even if she’s the one holding therecorder.
One of the hotel’s employees takes us to a small meeting room on the first floor. A ten-seater conference table takes up the center of the room, a white board hanging on one of the walls and a coffee and water dispenser tucked in the corner.
