Page 21 of Home of the Brave

“With only twelve teams, we’re going to run into each other too much,” Hilary added.

“Plus, when the men get into fights, it’s exciting and fun. When we do it, we get called overdramatic and emotional,” Sarah huffed.

“Nothing like a double standard to make work more fun.” Miles leaned back as a server placed a pizza on the table.

“As if we don’t have enough pressure to fail.”

Two more servers arrived, and soon the table was covered in pizzas with an array of toppings. I selected a pesto chicken slice and started eating when Miles caught my attention and tilted his head to one side where the women were excitedly discussing something.

I glanced over and soon caught on to the conversation. A development I hadn’t heard about.

“I can’t believe it, to be honest. It seems too good to be true.” Taylor said to Sarah before taking another bite.

“Sports National, you said?” I clarified.

“Yeah,” Hilary beamed. “It’s not one of the big channels, but at least it’s a widely available option. People won’t have to search too hard or only watch online.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever had this coverage, outside of the Olympics,” Marie added.

“I hadn’t heard,” I admitted, sharing a look with Miles, who shook his head.

This seemed like a major announcement. Something Chris would have or should have, known. A tidbit he should have passed on to her.

If the channel were dedicated to the women’s teams, this would draw a huge amount of attention for them. Not just from the fans, but from the press.

I straightened in my seat. This was the exact sort of moment I’d been waiting for. The chance to highlight the women who deserved this focus more than anyone else. A chance to be on the front line.

Who better than me to cover this?

I was literally dining with them.

We were friends.

I couldn’t wait to call Chris and convince him to give me the chance to cover them exclusively. Anyone could do the men’s teams. It would take someone special to give the women the dedication and respect they’d earned.

6

JOSH

To describe my job as easy would discredit the decades of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice I’d made, along with all other goalies.

But blocking a puck flying at me at a hundred miles an hour was so innate that I barely had to expend much brain or physical exertion to make it happen. My body just responded.

Due to the endless years of training I’d started from the time I put on my first pair of skates.

Compared to this, all the other noise that came with being a player felt like wading through the trenches.

I didn’t hate the interviews or press conferences. I didn’t love them, but I didn’t dread them either.

At least when it wasn’t Victoria asking the questions.

On the ice, I could easily avoid her.

But the second I stepped off, I was fair game.

I’d never wanted a practice to last longer before.

I didn’t hold my disinterest against any of the reporters. They were doing their jobs as much as I was doing mine. In fact, I’d have reason to panic if they weren’t waiting for me. It either meant no one cared about me and what I had to say, which would mean I should probably look into what exactly a resume was and how to make one, or I’d screwed up so impressively they were scared to ask me a question.