Page 23 of The Fake Play

“What's going on?" I ask, sliding my laptop off to the side. I may not know him well enough yet to predict his moods, but I can definitely tell something is off.

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “You ever feel like things are starting to slip out of your control? Like no matter what you do, it's just not enough?”

I blink at him, taken aback by the uncharacteristic vulnerability. This isn’t like the other night when he was playing around. This is the real deal. “What are you talking about?”

He sinks onto the stool across from me, resting his elbows on the island. “Lucas, the rookie. He's really good, and it's not that I don't want him to succeed, but he’s younger and faster, and I can't help but feel there's a trade coming up. At least, that’s the Russian rumor going around.”

“The Russian rumor?”

He almost smiles. “We’ve got some Russians on the team, and they tend to hang out together a lot. Sergei’s father was high up in the Russian government and Sergei likes to spy on people. Says it’s what’s kept him alive.”

I arch a brow at that. “What?”

“I didn’t ask for details beyond what he told me because I don’t want to know more than that. Anyway, I’m sure my name is on the chopping block because, as you know, I’ve brought some drama to the team.”

“You can’t think like that?—”

“The team’s been trying to stay on top of things, keep the chemistry alive. It's a lot. I figured you'd have some advice, seeing as you're the expert in getting along with people and making them do what you want.”

I chuckle, despite myself. That’s my reputation already? “I'm not sure manipulating the media and managing PR disasters is the same thing as keeping a hockey team’s chemistry in check.”

He shrugs, a smile tugging at his lips. “Whatever you want to call it, you're still good at getting people on your side. Originally, I was going to try and get you fired, but?—”

“Are you kidding me?”

“No. But I like you, Keke. You aren’t a pushover, and you’re smart. I could use some of that right now.”

The man just admitted to trying to get me fired, and now he wants a favor?

“I’ll help you, if you help me.”

“Anything. Name it.”

“I will tell you how to fix the problem with the rookie, if you tell me how you can have the audacity to ask for a favor after admitting you wanted me fired.”

He grins at me and it’s like being hit by a thousand-watt beam. No wonder they have him on all the billboards. “It was instilled in me by my family. Audacity is the only thing that gets actors out of bed most days.”

“So, it’s not something I can develop?”

“Sadly, I don’t think so.”

“Damn.”

“Now, my problem.”

I shake my head, smiling. “You want some advice? You ever heard the expression keep your friends close and your enemies closer? That’s rule number one.”

His brow furrows as he looks at me. “You want me to be friends with Lucas?”

“Not exactly friends, more like acquaintances. Mentor him. Take him under your wing andmake him feel like he's a part of the team, not just the new kid trying to steal your spot. Right now, you see him as competition, but if you're helping him to succeed, you're no longer his rival. You're his ally. And in return, you'll have someone who's loyal to you, not looking to outshine you.”

He considers this for a moment, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. “So instead of pushing him away, I should try to bring him closer?”

“Exactly. It's not just about getting along with him. It's about controlling the narrative. If you're the one who helped the rookie become a star, then that becomes part of your story, too. People will remember that you were the veteran who helped build the team. No one's going to want to trade a guy like that. It's all about playing the long game.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

“That's because it is simple.” I smirk. “At least, if you do it right. Even if you still manage to get traded, you’ll be known as a star maker.”

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