Page 1 of Pucking Never

Chapter One

GRACE

As I stare at my brightly lit laptop screen, it seems to mock me. I’m supposed to be coming up with a list of ideas for online content to present to one of my clients, but I’ve got nothing. This isn’t a normal problem for me. I typically have ideas flowing from my brain, but for some reason, I’m totally stuck today. I don’t know why. There’s no reason I shouldn’t be cranking out pitch after pitch right now.

And yet, I’m grasping at straws.

Sitting back in my desk chair, I release a long, frustrated breath and pinch the bridge of my nose to try and fight back the headache that’s drumming behind my eyes. What is wrong with me?

I’m Gracelynn-Freaking-Monroe. I don’t get blocked.

Deciding I should just take a break, I shut my laptop and push to my feet. Looking around, I sigh. It probably doesn’t help that I feel totally out of touch now that I’m back to living at home with my parents. It’s all I can afford, though, as a recent college graduate with a budding (but not yet profitable) social media management business. My mom told me not to worry about it, that I can stay as long as I want. Still, I can’t help but feel bad. I should be out there like everyone else, trying to make it in the world. But there isn’t really anything I can do about that now, except to continue to save and hope that one day I’ll have my own place.

And while I’m proud of my work and of the fact that I’ve landed a few loyal clients, as small as they might be, I feel… restless. Like I’m supposed to be doing something else. Something bigger. Something that will push my career to the heights I’ve always dreamed of.

For now, though, I need to be content, keep my head down, and pay my dues.

Making my way downstairs, I head to the kitchen. Perhaps a cup of tea will help to clear my thoughts so I can actually accomplish something., While I wait for it to whistle, I hop up onto the counter and sigh. I gaze up at the ceiling and wonder if I’m going to eat ramen or macaroni and cheese tonight. Suddenly, my phone buzzes.

I absentmindedly pick it up but then feel a jolt of surprise when I see that it’s my brother, Carson. A frown crossing my face as I answer the call.

“Carson?”

“Hey, Gracie. How’s Madison?”

I shrug, forgetting he can’t see me, then answer, “It’s fine. How’s Denver?”

“Pretty great,” he answers and I roll my eyes.

“Did you just call me to gloat about how great your life is going?” I grumble. “Because I warn you, I’m in no mood.”

My handsome, charismatic, talented brother is living his best life while I’m scraping by, building my career bit-by-bit from the ground up. Carson is fulfilling his dream of playing professional hockey, and while I’m proud of him, I can’t shake the shiver of jealousy crawling down my spine. He’s always had things easier. At least, that’s how it’s always felt. I don’t know if it’s because he’s been an athlete his whole life and people seem to practically worship him, but opportunities always just fall at his feet while I have to work my ass off to get anywhere in life.

Carson chuckles and says, “I promise, that’s not why I called. Well, it’s not the only reason I called. How’s the social media business treating you?”

I furrow my brow. “It’s fine. I’ve got some clients. Work is trickling in right now, but I’m getting my name out there and networking however I can. Things will pick up soon enough.”

“What if I could help you?”

My frown deepens. “Help me? How?”

“I need a social media manager,” Carson says. “What would you think of moving out here and working for me?”

Blinking, I sit frozen for several seconds, uncertain whether I heard him right or not.

“You…you want me to come work for you?” I murmur.

“Yeah,” he replies. “Now that I’ve gone pro, my publicist says I need to represent myself more professionally online. You know I suck at that stuff, but you’re brilliant. I’d pay you a steady salary and even provide some benefits. What do you think?”

I’m speechless. I hadn’t expected anything like this when I answered my brother’s call.

After several moments of silence on my part, Carson says, “Uh…Grace? You still there? Hello?”

“Oh!” I exclaim. “Sorry, I spaced out for a second. Um… are you sure you want me? You’re not afraid this could be a conflict of interest or something?”

“Nah,” he replies. “I want someone I know and trust for the job, and there aren’t many people I trust more than you.”

My lips curl into a small grin at that. Still, I continue to hesitate. It’s not that I’m not interested in the job. I really am, and I know this could be an awesome opportunity for me. Being the social media manager for a professional athlete could catapult my career forward much further than I’d planned in such a short amount of time. Still, when I open my mouth to try and accept the job, the words get stuck in my throat.

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