Page 47 of Pucked Together

"Did you get my good side?" He throws a protective arm over her shoulders when she approaches.

"What good side? I'm a photographer, not a miracle worker."

"Ouch," Keelan grabs his chest in mock pain.

"Anyway, I only capture the players that actually make a dent in the game. Speaking of which, good job, Bear."

"Bear?" Keelan side-eyes me.

Fergie laughs, spitting out water from the bottle he just stuck in his mouth. "Balsy the Bear. I like it."

That's supposed to be between Izzy and me, but I know these guys. They're going to take it and run with it.

"Anyways," Keelan brings the attention back to himself. "We're all heading to the Breakaway. You coming, sis?"

Izzy looks at me and then back at the guys. And before she can answer, Coach Murray appears behind her.

"Way to go, Heatwave.” He pumps his fist. “That's what I'm talking about."

He swings an arm over Keelan and pulls him into the locker room. Fergie and I follow them in. "Teagan, you made us proud, son."

"Thanks, Coach!" Teagan gives him a salute from his place on the bench.

"A goal and two assists." Coach whistles in appreciation. "Not bad for your last game with us. And Balinger," he slow-claps, and the other players give their hoots and hollers of approval. "A shutout game. We're looking good, boys. Get showered. We're celebrating tonight!"

The guys pound on lockers and howl.

Yeah, there's no way they'll let me miss this outing. Not tonight.

Izzy snaps photos of us from the doorframe of the locker room and gives me a wink before disappearing into the hall. A few minutes later, I got a text.

Izzy: As much as I'd love to get some practice of my own tonight, you can't miss this celebration.

Me: If you come in wearing anything remotely close to what you wore last time I saw you there, I can't guarantee we won't get that practice in.

Izzy: Challenge accepted.

Fuck me. She's going to steal the show. I already know it.

Chapter 15

Izzy

Irap on Rina's open door.

"Come on in, Izzy," she says from behind her computer.

"Just want to make sure you got the files I sent over."

She nods, "Ah, yes. Yes, I did. Come, have a seat. I want to show you what we're working on."

I glance at my watch for a split second. It's nine. Working for a professional hockey team is so different from anything I've ever done. What normal person is still at the office at nine at night?

I drag the seat over from the corner of the room and check out the new team website.

"Woah!"

"Right?!” Rina beams. "Marketing just sent it over."

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