Page 10 of These Pucking Boys

“Mister Fantastic,” I reply, but noticing her blank stare, I add. “He’s a Marvel superhero who has the power of elasticity.”

Her brows arch. “Oh. I don’t know anything about comics. You’ll get along wonderfully with Lachy. He’s obsessed with them.”

“Lachy?”

“Lachlan Stewart. Our goalie.”

I feel stupid for asking, and I hope my face isn’t showing it. One would think I’d stop getting embarrassed over small things after the Jumbotron incident, but no.

“Ah... sorry. I don’t follow hockey.”

“Don’t feel bad. Many people who come to the games don’t. But I should probably tell you more about the players who invited you to the party.”

“Yeah, that would be a good idea.”

The buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the game. I turn my attention to the ice. The Zodiacs make their way to the locker room, but the Titans remain on the ice to say thank you to the crowd.

“Who invited me, by the way?” I can’t believe I didn’t ask sooner.

“Jake Phillips had the idea, but Ryan and Lachy were fully on board with it. That’s the three of them on camera now.”

I look at one of the TV screens in the VIP box just as it closes in on them. They’ve removed their helmets, and holy cannoli, I never knew hockey players could be that attractive. My heart flutters in my chest, but I’m blaming my reaction on the two shots of tequila I had.

Right, June. You’re not blind, and those men are fiiine.The thought pops into my head in Katrina’s voice. Why am I so weird?

“Nayara is here,” Melissa tells me. “Let’s see what she brought.”

Nayara is Melissa’s personal shopper. I spent ten minutes answering her questions about my likes and dislikes, and I’m damn curious to see what she brought for me. “Where are we meeting her?”

“In my office.”

I follow her out of the VIP box and through a maze of corridors. The farther we go, the less busy it becomes, until we enter a restricted area that only people working for the Titans can access. As I look around in bewilderment, I can’t help but think that Bill would give his nut sack for a chance to be here. As heartbroken as I am, the notion does make me feel better.

“Can I take pictures?” I ask.

“Sure. Take pictures, shoot videos. Make sure to tag the team’s social media accounts if you decide to post them.”

“You won’t get in trouble if I do?”

She smirks at me. “I’m the VP of Media Relations. I won’t get in trouble.”

“Wow. I knew you were a big deal, but I didn’t realize you were a VP.”

“Most people don’t because of my age and appearance. I don’t mind. I actually enjoy it when they underestimate me.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

Melissa stops in front of a dark wood door with her name and title carved on a brass plaque. “Twenty-seven.”

“I’m twenty-five,” I say, even though she didn’t ask.

She’s only two years older than me, and she’s already accomplished so much. I can’t help but feel gloomy about it. My dream career is a long shot, but if becoming a screenwriter doesn’t pan out, I thought I’d be okay as long as I achieved the other items on my bucket list. Marrying Bill was one of them.

No, I won’t think about that jackass anymore tonight. Melissa is right. He’s tomorrow’s problem.

Nayara is already inside Melissa’s office, standing in front of a rack of colorful dresses. She turns to us and smiles brightly. She looks like a fairy, with her petite frame and short, bright blue pixie-cut hair that contrasts nicely with her tanned complexion.

“Hello, you must be June.” She offers me her hand.

---