Page 27 of Pucking my Enemy Boss

“Your job,” he repeats, shaking his head. “Right. Your job. Well, mine is playing on that goddamn ice, not some mascot shit with some fans. Count me out.”

He walks out on me and for a moment, I just stand there, eyes all around watching me in the heavy dead silence. I wanted to understand him, tell him that I know what it’s like to be under pressure, to feel like the world is closing in on you.

But he doesn’t seem to want the words.

And Ethan Carter possibly doesn’t think I’m worth his time.

8

ETHAN

The cacophonyof noise in the locker room fades away as I storm toward Jonathan Reid’s office, my mind racing.

I need to talk to Reid. Now.

I walk briskly into the office, the door slamming behind me with a force that rattles the glass. Reid looks up from his desk, calm as ever, but I can see the flash of annoyance in his eyes.

He knows why I’m here.

“Ethan,” he says, leaning back in his chair, “to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I want off this project,” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to keep the frustration from boiling over. “Take me off it, now.”

Reid raises an eyebrow. “And why would I do that? Give me a good reason.”

“I don’t want to be roped into whatever the new event manager is up to,” I snap, the words spilling out before I can stop them. “I don’t think I can work with her.”

Reid’s expression remains neutral, but there’s a challenge in his eyes. “That’s not a reason, Ethan. That’s an excuse. If youdon’t want to be part of this, you need to give me something more plausible.”

I grit my teeth, struggling to find the words. The truth is, I can’t give him a reason that doesn’t sound like complete bullshit. For the last two years since I lost David, everyone’s generally left me alone. They’ve given me space, and I’ve been mighty fine with that. But then Holly Bennett walks onto the scene, and suddenly, everything’s different. She’s meddling everywhere, getting into my head, making me feel things I don’t want to feel, do things I don’t want to do.

I’ve got to resist her, and it should start now.

Reid gestures to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit down, Ethan. We need to talk.”

Reluctantly, I drop into the chair, my knee bouncing with pent-up energy. Reid opens a folder on his desk and slides a piece of paper across to me. The headline catches my eye, and I feel my blood run cold.

"Ethan Carter: The Ice King Who Can’t Melt His Heart for the Fans?"

My stomach tightens as I read the first two paragraphs:

"Ethan Carter, the Blizzards star forward, may be a legend on the ice, but off it, he’s nothing short of an enigma. His frosty demeanor and unwillingness to engage with the fans who’ve supported him through thick and thin paint a picture of a man too proud to acknowledge the people who helped build his career. Carter’s talent is undeniable, but his lack of dedication to the fans is glaring—and it begs the question: Is he too entitled to care about anyone but himself?"

My eyes slide down to catch the reporter’s name.Of course, it’s that piece of shit Raymond Blue.

I toss the article back onto Reid’s desk, a bitter taste in my mouth. “I don’t give a damn about what Blue says. He’s been gunning for me ever since David’s death.”

“Then we shouldn’t give him a reason.”

“I don’t care what he writes?—”

Reid leans forward, his gaze sharp. “I know you don’t care, Ethan. But the problem is, everyone else does. Your reputation is just as important as your skill for the team we’re trying to build here at the Blizzards. We need you to show people that you’re not just some cold, inaccessible superstar.”

I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “You really think doing some holiday event is going to change that?”

Reid nods. “It’s a start. The fans need to see that you care, that you’re willing to be a part of this community … then Blue’s argument suddenly starts to sound like bullshit. This event could help bridge that gap.”

I open my mouth to argue, but Reid cuts me off. “Is your worry that you don’t know Holly Bennett well?”

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