My focus shifted back to my laptop.
I had a folder full of screenshots of old blog posts, social media posts, pictures—anything I could use if the time came.
It wasn’t exactly like I was compiling blackmail. More of a failsafe. I needed to make sure that Roxie didn’t ruin my career and all of theirs.
A knock on the door had me looking up and carefully closing the laptop.
Greer Abbott was standing there with his dog and a staff member standing behind them.
“This is Brenda. She’s the dog walker they mentioned,” Greer said before sitting down and pulling Chorizo into his lap.
Honestly, even I had to admit that the duo was adorable.
The dog was wiggling, he was so excited.
“Hey, buddy,” I said, leaning over the table and giving his head a scratch.
“So, what are the requirements for this lovely little trip?” Abbott asked. His face was the picture of frustration.
“Lunch and dinner are required to be eaten together in the dining room. You can’t be a loner among the team,” I said firmly. “We need to show a united front, and that’s never going to happen if you hide yourself away.”
His jaw ticked, but he didn’t argue. Greer’s green eyes were locked on me, waiting for the rest of my speech that he would rather disregard.
“Most of the time you need to be out of your room and at least doing something within the resort. There are plenty of amenities. You can escape to walk your dog whenever it’s necessary, but don’t overuse it. I need to know that my team is making an effort.”
“Alright,” he said, starting to move, but I wasn’t done.
“I understand that this isn’t your favorite thing, but I need my team to trust you on the ice, and they’re not going to trust the guy that can’t keep a scowl off his face and looks like he’s ready to fight at the drop of a hat.”
He let out a breath, his fingers moving through the dog’s fur as if it were calming him.
“I understand, Coach,” he reassured me.
“I also may have secured you a physical therapist. He’ll be mostly dedicated to you, but may need to help the others from time to time. He is an omega, though. Is that a problem for you?”
“No, sir,” he said. “I don’t have anything against omegas.”
“I’ll introduce you two later today and then come get your opinion. Try to have an open mind.”
“Yes, Coach.” He stood and disappeared out of the office.
Thankfully, one of our defensive players, Adam Gold came in a few minutes later. He was my last, which meant I didn’t have to hide out in this conference room any longer.
If I wanted men like Greer to give this team a chance, then I needed to show them that I was human, too.
That meant talking to my team like they were people, getting to know them, showing them I wasn’t always yelling.
Off the ice, at least.
I ran upstairs and swapped my normal clothes for swim trunks. It was hot as hell outside and the pool felt like the easiest common ground I’d find here.
Although, it meant washing away the scent-dampening products I’d used. It wasn’t exactly a requirement of the job, but I felt more control around omegas when I wore them.
It seemed most of the team had the same idea as I did. When I reached the giant pool in the courtyard of the resort, most of the guys were hanging out along the edge or floating around inside, drinks in hand.
Kingsford hadn’t spared a single cent and they were taking advantage of that. Good. They’d earned it.
Staff members were hovering nearby, ready to take snack and drink orders, filling glasses, and offering anything anyone might need.
