Page 45 of Sinful Secrets

“This might be the way to get the information we need for a case. If you can get closer to Spencer and the team, we might just catch a lucky break.”

“You want me to spy on them?”

My stomach aches just thinking about going behind Spencer’s back.

“Not spying, per se. Getting closer to them by being a great girlfriend and a great team member, and then relaying anything you find out to us.”

Tyler joins in. “And we will pay you for weekly meetings. No matter how big or small the information is.”

This sounds like a terrible plan. One that can make more enemies than it’s worth.

Not to mention backstabbing Spencer and possibly getting him thrown in jail.

“Can I see how the audition goes first? I’m almost late and that’s not good for a first impression.”

And talk to Spencer before I make the decision, since this involves him.

Tyler grabs Jacob’s card and writes his name on the back. “Call either of us at any time.”

I feel confused and conflicted, but leave with his business card. I drive to the arena on auto pilot.

My gaze locks onto Spencer’s apartment building. It’s right across the street.

“How could I be so naïve? It was always here in plain sight.”

I grab my duffle bag and enter the arena through the main doors and follow the signs for the audition.

One problem at a time, and right now, I need a job.

There are more women here than at a sale at the mall. Everyone is different. Different hair. Different heights. Even different sizes.

I’m one of the shorter women here, so hopefully height isn’t a deciding factor.

A woman holding a clipboard stands on top of a bench. “Alright, everyone. We are going to start the check-in process. I’ll need your name and date of birth and then you can get a pair of skates and start warming up on the ice.”

I line up with the other women and when it’s my turn, I tell her my name and date of birth.

It’s easy to find a pair of skates in my size and even easier to find my way to the ice. I feel like a baby animal trying to walk for the first time. My legs buckle and I catch myself on the siding.

I remember the ballet classes I took to help with my balance as a kid and use those training techniques to stand up and push off the side.

I’m able to take a few steps without falling down, so I kick off and try to skate across the ice to the team benches.

Laughing, I mumble, “This is easier than I thought.”

One foot in front of the other. One small glide at a time. I’m able to make it across the ice to the player’s benches.

This is where Spencer sits when he’s not out here skating. His teammates and friends sit next to him and play hockey.

They probably joke with him and tease him.

But I don’t know any of them. I’ve never even heard him really talk about them.

Someone skates toward me as I skate down the side of the arena toward the net. She sticks out her perfectly manicured hand. “Hey, I’m Avery, Alvin’s daughter. Dad told me to look out for you today, and to give you pointers.”

I glance around the ice at the other women trying out. “Is that allowed? Wouldn’t that be an unfair advantage?”

She shakes her head. Her short bob glides over her cheeks. “We can act as a mentor to the applicants for the first half of the audition. After that, you’re on your own.”

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