Page 78 of Pucking the Team

“What? No, that’s Isaac’s job, I don’t want to overstep…” I protest, but Alex cuts me off.

“Isaac’s been out sick. We don’t know when he’ll be back, but the team needs this competitive edge now. You’d be doing us a huge favor.” His hand covers mine on the desk, his touch heady.

I swallow hard, glancing around to make sure Alison isn’t lurking. I’m sure she’d see me leaving my desk to do this as shirking my responsibilities—even though it’s something beneficial to the team. She’s been looking for any reason to chew me out recently. But the coast seems clear…

“Okay, I’ll do it,” I agree, pulse quickening at the thought of presenting in front of everyone. “But you owe me, mister.”

“Oh, I’ll make it up to you, don’t worry.” Alex winks, his meaning crystal clear as his eyes darken with desire. “Meet me in the video room in ten.”

With that, he saunters off, leaving me breathless and tingling with anticipation. I quickly save my work, hoping I’m not biting off more than I can chew. But with Alex’s encouragement propelling me, I’m ready to seize this chance to secretly show the Blizzards what I’m made of.

The meeting room is packed, every player and coach focusing on me as I stand at the front, laser pointer in hand. My palms are sweaty, but Alex’s encouraging nod from the back row steadies me.

I click to the first clip, a power play from last night’s game. “As you can see here, we’re not utilizing the full width of the ice. If we can draw their penalty killers out of position with some cross-ice passes…” I highlight the open passing lanes. “…it opens up a prime scoring chance at the back door.”

Murmurs of agreement ripple through the room. Slade leans forward, hanging on my every word. I move on to the next clip, breaking down our defensive zone coverage, and the room falls silent, everyone scribbling notes.

As I wrap up, applause breaks out. Coach Daniels stands, a grin on his weathered face. “Outstanding analysis, Emma. We’re lucky to have you on our team.”

Pride swells in my chest as the meeting ends and the players file out, several stopping to shake my hand or clap me on the back. Alex approaches, his smile lit up with I-told-you-so smugness.

“You nailed it. They were captivated.” He leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. “I knew you had it in you.”

I beam up at him, adrenaline still pumping through my veins. At that moment, I feel like I can take on the world. With Alex’s belief in me, anything seems possible.

As the last player exits the room, Alex gently tugs my elbow, pulling me aside. His dark eyes bore intensely into mine.

“Emma, I need to talk to you about something important.” His voice is low and serious.

My heart skips a beat. “What is it?”

“I think you should consider transitioning to a role in video coaching. Your insights are invaluable, and you could have an even greater impact on the team’s success.”

I blink, stunned. “Video coaching? But I’m in social media.”

“I know, but this is your true calling. You have a gift, Emma. The way you see the game, the strategies you devise—it’s clear that you have an instinctual knack for this stuff. And I can tell when you’re talking about the game that you love it almost more than anyone here. You can’t tell me that you wouldn’t enjoy working with the team in a more hands-on capacity.”

We stare at each other for a beat, and then both burst out laughing. “I’m pretty sure I’m already as hands-on with the team as I can get,” I say.

As our laughter subsides, though, his words hit me, equal parts thrilling and terrifying. The thought of fully immersing myself in the X’s and O’s of the sport I love is enticing, but the prospect of leaving the comfort of my current job makes my stomach churn.

“I…I don’t know, Alex. That would be a big change.” I bite my lip, uncertainty clouding my mind.

Alex grasps my shoulders, his touch electric. “I believe in you, Emma. I’ll go to bat for you with Vincent.”

I feel like ice water has flooded my veins. Of course Vincent Dale, the general manager, would have to be involved in something like this. Vincent, who has worked here for two decades. Vincent, who was the GM when my dad was head coach.

Right now, Vincent has no idea that Jack Collins’s daughter is working for him. I’m a low-level employee, he wasn’t involved in my hiring and we have barely crossed paths. But if I followed Alex’s plan, I’d inevitably have to talk to him. And then what?

The words scrawled across my cubicle flash into my mind again, unwelcome.

NEPO BABY

Would Vincent hire me for the role just because of my dad? They were close. The fact that it’s even a possibility makes my stomach churn.

I don’t want anyone to have a reason to doubt me.

“I’ll convince him to bring you on as Isaac’s assistant,” Alex is still saying. “All you have to do is say yes.”

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