Page 7 of Pucking the Team

Chloe beams at me. “I love the way you think, Emma. With your creativity and the resources we have here, I have no doubt you’ll take our online presence to new heights.”

She outlines some exciting initiatives on the horizon: fan meet-and-greets, charitable partnerships, cross-promotions with local businesses. My imagination shifts into overdrive as I brainstorm ways to amplify these events on social.

Live Q&As with players, behind-the-scenes peeks at community outreach, interactive challenges to engage fans in the team’s mission—the possibilities are endless. I can hardly contain my excitement.

Social media management might not be everyone’s idea of super meaningful work, but I know how transformative it can be. I love hockey, but I’ve never been able to play it because of my asthma. Instead, I’ve spent years following athletes and teams on social, connecting with them and rooting for them from afar.

I know first-hand how sports can get people through devastating, life-altering times. And how for some people, building communities online is as close as they’ll ever get to having a family of their own.

“I can’t wait to dive in and start bringing these ideas to life,” I say, my voice brimming with enthusiasm.

Chloe places a hand on my shoulder, her eyes shining with approval. “I have a feeling you’re going to do great things here, Emma. Welcome aboard.”

As she leaves me to settle in, I take a deep breath, soaking in the energy of my new surroundings. This is it. My chance to make a real impact, to channel my love for hockey into something powerful.

I’m barely aware that there are even hot guys in the building.

Or at least that’s the lie I’m choosing to tell myself right now.

No sooner has Chloe walked away than I dive headfirst into the season opener campaign, my mind racing with possibilities. I pull up stats on the team’s performance last season, scroll through fan posts on Twitter and Instagram, and analyze what other teams have done for their kickoff campaigns.

Hours fly by as I get lost down the rabbit hole of research, the pieces of the puzzle slowly clicking into place. A hashtag to rally the fans. Behind-the-scenes videos of the players gearing up for the big game. Giveaway contests for signed jerseys and VIP experiences. It all starts to take shape, a crescendo building in my mind.

By the time I come up for air, the sun is setting outside the office windows. I lean back in my chair, a grin spreading across my face as I survey the presentation taking shape on my screen. This is it. This is how we reintroduce the Blizzards to the world and make them the team everyone’s talking about.

The underdogs turned contenders, hungry for the championship.

I can practically hear the roar of the crowd already. My blood thrums with adrenaline, that familiar rush I always get when I know I’m on the brink of something great.

Dad always said that feeling was how he knew he was right where he belonged. On the ice, stick in hand, ready to make magic happen.

And now, here I am, finding my own magic. Different tools of the trade, but the same drive to leave a mark. To build something memorable.

I put the finishing touches on the campaign outline, every cell in my body buzzing with anticipation to share it with Chloe and the rest of the team.

“Emma! There you are,” Chloe calls out, popping her head around the corner. “I was just about to head out. What do you say we cap off your first day with a tour of the practice facility? We only got to see what we walked by this morning, so I can give you a proper look at the space now.”

“Sounds perfect,” I reply, biting back the desire to say, even though I know my way around here pretty well! I log off and grab my coat. “Lead the way!”

We meander through the halls, and Chloe points out the various offices and conference rooms. But it’s not until we reach the practice rink that the reality of where I am truly hits me. The chill in the air, the smell of fresh ice, the way our footsteps echo in the cavernous space—it’s achingly familiar.

Memories flood back, vivid as ever.

Racing down here as a little girl, pigtails flying, to watch Dad and his players run drills. Sneaking sips of Gatorade and trying on helmets three sizes too big. Begging to stay for just five more minutes, even as my fingertips turned numb from the cold.

I close my eyes for a moment, fighting back a wave of emotion. I didn’t realize how hard it might be to be back here, without my parents.

Just as Chloe and I are about to head back to the office, a burst of laughter catches our attention. We turn to see Lukas and Slade emerging from the locker room, playfully shoving each other as they make their way towards us.

Sweet lords of hockey hotness.

I knew I’d be seeing them around work, but I didn’t expect to be ambushed by their combined sex appeal on day one. My breath catches in my throat as they approach, all tousled hair and boyish grins. Lukas’s green eyes sparkle with mischief, while Slade’s stormy gaze sends spark from my head to my toes.

Up close, their magnetism is even more potent.

Desire sparks over my skin, and I hope that my new boss can’t see the heat creeping into my cheeks.

Chloe waves them over. “Guys, let me introduce you to our new social media manager, Emma! Emma, this is Lukas Dvorak and Slade Harrison.”

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