Page 13 of Nash

He reaches me, opening his arms like he wants a hug.

I tilt my head, sparing a look at Monroe and Blakely, wondering what the hell I should do.

He shakes his head, drawing me into a hug and planting a kiss atop my forehead. He moves his lips to the shell of my ear. “Sorry, I'm not sure how you want me to act when the camera isn’t on. This okay?”

I laugh, the awkward bubble breaking. “It’s okay,” I say. “This is our first official night doing this. There's going to be some awkwardness.”

“I'll do better,” he says.

“Nash!” Baylor calls, motioning for him to join them where he and Clay are chatting near the back door that leads to Clay’s impressive patio and pool arrangement.

Nash glances down at me, a smile shaping his irresistible lips before he heads over to his friends.

I take the opportunity to grab my camera and wander around through Clay's house, being sure to catch the celebration for the Badgers. I get shots of Pax acting like a total teddy bear, carrying all four drinks to me, Blakely, Lawson, and Monroe, even when hers is an elaborate concoction with soda water, sour gummies, and ice.

I capture Lawson being a competitive goofball, challenging our goalie, Fender Strode, to a challenge of who can run the length of Clay’s expansive property the fastest.

And I manage to catch Baylor showing off how much he can lift by picking up the full keg stationed on the back patio and lifting it over his head.

When I make it back inside and spot our captain, I head over to him, but he simply scowls at my camera, shakes his head, and moves on.

Fair enough.

At least I scored some good shots I can mash up later into what I hope will be a fantastic video.

I pocket my phone, taking a break as I sip on the soda water that Paxton brought me.

Nash returns to our little group, stepping beside me and drawing my attention.

“So, tell me, Reese’s Pieces,” he says. “What got you into this gig?”

I blink a few times, taken aback by the veryfirst-date-like question. Though, to be fair, it would be a good idea to get to know each other beyond the surface-level stuff.

“I've always had a knack for video editing and photography,” I explain. “When I went to college, my sister had just launched her makeup business. Going into marketing seemed like the most advantageous thing to do for the family. After I learned a little, I managed to create a social media brand for her that launched her business into the limelight. I found out I was able to reach target audiences and give them the branded content they wanted in a fun way that didn’t feel like generated ads.”

“That's awesome about your sister's business,” he says. “How’d you make the switch from that to the Badgers?”

“I met Blakely and Monroe freshman year in college. They had aspirations for career paths with the Badgers and I couldn’t help but see the appeal. I fell in love with the team and quickly made the shift.”

“And you got the job with references from these two,” Nash says, motioning to Monroe and Blakely where they stand on my other side, in and out of conversations with Paxton and Lawson.

“Yeah, having their referral gave me an edge, but I also had the numbers from my sister’s business to prove I knew how to market.”

“Oh yeah, I didn’t mean you only got in because of your connection,” Nash says quickly, an apologetic look in his eyes.

The look is new and endearing as hell, but I smile and wave him off. “I know you didn’t,” I say. “How did you get into hockey?”

“I had somewhat of a late start,” he says. “My family couldn't afford to get me into the league until I was about nine, but the minute I stepped foot on the ice there was a talent no one could deny. I fell in love with the sport, the teamwork, all of it. I threw myself into getting better every single day and never looked back. Once I got drafted onto the Badgers, I knew all my hard work paid off and all the monetary sacrifices my parents made for me would be repaid.”

Something serious flashes over his features, and I wonder where the thought just took him. He just as quickly smooths it away.

“Did you catch me lifting that keg?” Baylor asks as he makes it to our group, his question preventing me from asking Nash what changed his mood.

“I caught it,” I say with a laugh. “It’ll be a highlight for sure.”

“Nice,” he says, nodding. “Maybe the brewery will want to sponsor me.”

“You betterstopdoing things like lifting kegs over your head,” Monroe chides him. “You've already been in my office twice this week, and it's only Wednesday. What do I keep telling you about your muscles, Torrington?”

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