Page 3 of The Owner

“We can take anybody,” I answer confidently.

Although, the Vipers will be a challenge. They’re good, but we’re better. The longtime owner, Samuel MacIntosh, died two months ago, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole organization is a chaotic mess.

His younger daughter has taken control of the team, and I doubt she knows what she’s doing. MacIntosh was a brilliant owner and he always made sure the Vipers were contenders. Even up until his death as a frail old man, he still ran a tight ship with a winning record.

Hopefully, that’s all about to blow up in the daughter’s face.

Zara and her girlfriend hang back as I step into the locker room. A rambunctious crowd of media screams at me as I hurry past them, trying to get me to stop and give them a quote. I ignore them all and head inside.

The boys are celebrating, but I’m glad to see it’s not out of control. The job is not done yet and we don’t need hangovers or bad decisions weighing us down.

Music is playing, cigars are burning, and a few beers are being passed around, but that’s about it. Most of the guys are in towels or in their underwear, either about to take a shower or just fresh out of one. No one is hanging from the ceiling chandelier and spraying champagne everywhere, which I’m happy to see. We’ll save that for when we have the Stoney Cup in the locker room.

The boys all start clapping when they see me walking in. I shake Nolan’s hand and tell him he played a wonderful game.

“Incredible shot,” I tell Sebastian as I shake his hand. “Perfect aim as usual.”

“Thanks for taking a chance on me, Mr. VanMorgan,” he says with a nod of his head.

The coach, Finn Moss, comes out and hurries over to shake my hand.

“All-star team you compiled here,” Moss says to me. “It’s a pleasure to coach them. Thank you for bringing me on and letting me be a part of it.”

“Thank you,” I say, squeezing his hand as I look him in the eyes, “for bringing out the best possible version of it.”

He steps back with red cheeks, trying not to smile.

“Who’s ready to win a Stoney Cup?” I shout.

The boys holler and pump their fists in the air. Tucker smacks his fist into his massive chest and hoots like a gorilla.

“We have a chance at greatness in front of us,” I say in a deep powerful voice. “It’s up to each of you to decide if you want to grab it.”

“I’m going to grab that greatness by the balls!” Edvard the Swede hollers and everyone laughs.

“And then he’s going to put those balls in his mouth,” Austin says.

“The chance at greatness comes around once in a lifetime if you’re lucky,” I tell them when it quiets down. “I urge you all not to let it slip through your fingers.”

The boys lower their heads as they think about my words.

The quiet moment is interrupted when the door opens and a woman sticks her head in. She’s covering her eyes with her hand. “Can we come in?Please?”

It’s the wives and girlfriends of the boys. They’re all eager to come in and celebrate with their men.

“It’s up to the boss,” Coach Moss says, looking at me.

The boys look just as excited to see their lovers. How can I hold them apart?

“Come on in,” I say with a smile.

The doors explode open and a bunch of squealing women rush in and jump on my players, kissing their faces and making them blush.

Even Tucker McKinstry has a girl—a cute little blonde with kind blue eyes.

Sebastian is making out with his girl against the locker and Nolan is hugging his girlfriend Grace, the coach’s daughter.

Austin’s woman leaps into his arms as Harris’ wife and five-year-old son rush over to greet him.

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