Page 92 of Penalty Shots

"Yes," Rina says, shooing us out the door. "Everyone is invited." She waddles to the door and inspects the hinges before she shuts the door in our faces.

I rub my jaw. "So they weren't fighting?"

Zane shrugs. "Didn't seem like it. Looked like they were actually getting along."

But that can't be right. Jenny and Rina are about as close as two magnets flipped to opposing poles—destined to clash.

The only thing that kept them together in college was the fact that they were forced to share a room, which, now that I think about it, isn't that much different from what's happening now at work.

Which could only mean one thing.

Theyaregetting along.

Chapter 26

Rina

"According to a recent poll taken of season ticket holders, the campaign seems to be going over very well," Jenny announces. 'The Heatwave name is still trending on social, which means we can make a push for the Friday night event Rina and I have been putting together."

Mack nods as she takes in the numbers we've put together.

"Looks like I was right about the two of you. You make a hell of a team."

Jenny looks at me. "I think we both have our strengths."

"And this Friday night event," Mack asks. "What's the goal?"

"Presence," I say. "Heatwave fans and the city of Houston need to be able to have a personal connection to the players that represent their team. It's the only way we'll have a packed barn every home game, even if one of the guys has a public slip-up."

Mack considers it. "Well, the more we can be seen as a staple in this city—the more longevity we have. I like it."

Keelan raises his hand. Usually, he wouldn't be in our staff meetings, but Mack decided it would be best to have a player’s input to represent the team's best interests. And as the team captain, though on thin ice as he's been lately, he's still the obvious choice.

"Yes, Landry," Mack says.

"If I may, Mack, we already have a DJ that riles up our crowds during home games. For this Friday event, why don't we add a dance-off?"

I laugh. "Is this for the fans or for you?"

"Hear me out—DJ, dance-offs, the ice can be transformed into a dance floor, in addition to the family-friendly event taking place in the newly remodeled area of the arena. We can have a special after-party for the die-hards. Something that'll reward our most loyal fan base, the ones that cheer the hardest and represent the team colors the most enthusiastically."

"They're like homegrown cheerleaders," Jenny adds.

Keelan points a finger at her. "She's got it."

Mack thinks. "After Party Fridays at Space City Arena. We keep things PG. We have the players interacting with the public. And we build a loyal fan base. Let's make it happen."

"Really?" Keelan says.

"Mack, you sure about this?" I ask.

She stands and pushes out of her rolling chair. "Let's make sure everything runs through legal, but yes. This sounds like exactly the kind of attention this team needs. Great work. Meeting adjourned."

We all follow suit and stand as she walks out of the room.

"Leave it to Keelan Landry to convince a billionaire to make dance-offs a thing," Jenny says.

"It's very 2000s," I agree.

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