Page 3 of Conner

“Hey, did you see the new hire?” he asked as he sat down.

Conner shook his head and his eyes glued to the number on his phone. Why was he looking at a name and number? This was silly. He slipped his phone back into his pocket as the coaching staff entered along with some of the management.

That’s when he saw her. The woman from the hallway. She was up there standing next to Hillary who ran the Magic's PR. He looked over at Cash who was wagging his eyebrows.

“New hire,” he whispered with a shit eating grin on his face.

“Alright guys,” Coach Wagner started, “before we get ready for the team meeting and video reviews Hillary has an announcement.”

“Hello gentlemen. It’s been determined our social media needs an update, and we’re hoping this will help to bring in more fans. So, I would like you all to meet Sasha Maloof. She is joining us all the way from Illinois and has some fantastic ideas. Please be polite and courteous and help her out in whatever way she needs. I'll let her tell you a little bit about her plan.”

Conner watched as the woman he had met in the hallway stood up in front of the room full of hockey players with all the confidence in the world. He couldn't help but smile, even though he felt silly that he had just treated her like a fan because she was clearly more than that. Why hadn't she said anything? Well, at least he could cross her off as a distraction. She worked for the Magic, making her off limits.

“Hello, I'm so excited to be working with all of you. I have a bunch of ideas, but I’m hoping to do a quick meet the player post on all of you, so I’ll be in touch with a few fun questions fans might enjoy. My goal is to make you guys look as good as I can and get more butts in the seats. I look forward to working with you guys,” she said with a big smile.

“Okay boys, let's welcome Ms. Maloof to the Magic family,” said Coach Wagner.

The room erupted in applause and a few cheers. And Conner's heart lit up at the smile that found her face. He wasn't out of trouble yet where this woman was concerned. But he had his priorities. Playoffs and that cup.

After their quick meeting management left and the team set into video review. And for the first time in a long time Conner felt his attention drifting. He should be focusing on the videos, not the pretty smile or the knockout curves of Sasha Maloof, but there he was and that was the only thing running through his head.

After the meeting he was suited up for practice heading out onto the ice. He spotted Sasha over next to the ice taking some footage of the guys warming up.

“Hey,” he said behind her.

She turned and jumped. He has clearly startled her, he should feel bad, but she was just so freaking cute.

“Hi,” she replied, breathless. “Sorry, you startled me.”

“Sorry about that. I just wanted to give you an official welcome.”

“Thank you, I actually wanted to talk to you. I’m hoping to do a hockey tips series and have a few players give tips on basics like shots and skating, stick taping, really anything. Hillary said to ask you.”

“Oh yeah, I'm sure we can work something out. Why didn't you tell me you were working here?”

“Sorry, I'm still trying to get my legs here. You hockey players are intimidating,” she said with a small bashful smile.

“Aww, we're not so bad.”

“I’m beginning to see that. Can I talk to you about the videos?”

“Sure. I'll find you when I finish up for the day.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

Conner smiled at her and skated out onto the ice. He couldn’t allow her to become a distraction. Still, he couldn't help but take one quick glance back at her. She really was beautiful.

Nope. Hockey. That's all that mattered for the next four months.

As Conner skated out onto the ice, he turned to see Coach Wagner calling him over. “We’re working on a new power play. Can you lead warmups, so when the specials coach is ready, we can transition into that?”

“You got it.”

“Thanks, I’ll be out when we’re ready.”

Conner skated center ice as the team started to filter on. “Okay guys, we’re running some shooting drills. Let’s line up. Then we are working on special teams.”

The guys all skated into lines listening to him without question. Conner had been captain for three years and he took that role seriously. They lined up at one end of the ice and skated in groups of three all weaving and passing the puck until one finally took the shot.

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