Page 15 of Captain's Claim

Blake forces a tight smile, the kind that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Sure. Sharp.”

I bite back a grin. He’s seething, I can feel it.Good.

Big Mike doesn’t seem to notice his irritation. Or maybe he does and just doesn’t care.

Behind us, couples twirl under the low-hanging fairy lights strung across the dance floor. A passing guest brushes past me, their sequined mask glinting in the candlelight as they snag a flute of champagne.

“We’re lucky to have her,” Big Mike continues, turning his attention to me with a warmth that makes me stand a little taller. “I’ll tell you what, Sophia, it’s not often I bring someone in who getsthismuch buzz from the board right off the bat. After our meeting today, you’ve got Greg talking about TikTok like it’s the second coming of Gretzky. Hell, that’s a damn miracle in itself, right Maddox?”

Big Mike gives Blake a hearty slap on the back as we move towards the bar. Blake grabs the closest drink and nearly downs it in one go.

“And don’t you worry, Cap. By the time you’re back from the road trip, Sophia’s gonna have this whole club thinking bigger. Fresh ideas, new faces in the stands. It’s about time we caught up with the rest of the league.”

"Looking forward to it."

Blake's strangling that poor glass like it personally insulted his mother's cooking. His voice dripping with a sarcasm Big Mike either misses or chooses to ignore.

Either way, I'm beaming.

A couple stumbles past us, laughing, masks slightly askew. Somewhere across the room, Logan is deep in conversation with a woman in an elaborate peacock-feathered mask, while Connor’s already found his way to the high-stakes poker table near the back.

The Players’ Lounge is buzzing, but all I feel isthis, the tension thick enough to lace into the air between us.

I decide to lean into the moment, turning to Big Mike with a bright smile. “I’m just excited to work with the team. I’ve already got a few ideas I think Blake will absolutelylove.”

His eyes snap to mine, and oh, the look he gives me could melt the ice rink below. I can practically hear the words he’s holding back.

“Oh, I’m sure of it,” Big Mike says, oblivious to the silent war raging between us. Another waiter approaches with a fresh round of drinks and we all grab one. “You two are gonna make a hell of a team, I can feel it.”

Blake’s lip twitches, but he manages to keep his expression neutral. Barely. “We’ll see.”

“Oh, I know it.” Big Mike slaps his shoulder again. “Alright, I’ll leave you two to it. Blake, don’t scare her off now.”

As Big Mike moves to rejoin the crowd, I glance up at Blake, letting my smile shift into something a little sharper. “Well, that sounded promising. Ahell of a team,huh?”

Blake exhales through his nose, a short, humorless laugh. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Why not?” I tilt my head, my tone light, teasing. “I thought we were off to such aflying start.”

His gray eyes darken, his voice dropping low. “Don’t push your luck,Ms. Hart.”

“AndCaptain Maddox,” I reply sweetly, batting my lashes and stepping just close enough for my shoulder to brush his. “Don’t forget who’s calling the plays off the ice. Have fun on your trip,Cap.”

He huffs, mutters something under his breath about'star recruit my ass,'and stalks off, leaving me standing there, victorious and maybe, justmaybe, a little breathless.

***

The Icehawks lost.

I knew it the second I opened my inbox this morning and saw the post-game summary. But it’s even more obvious in thetoneof Iron Ridge today.

The whole town feels… off. Like the energy’s been sucked out of it, replaced by a quiet frustration that lingers like a storm waiting to break.

The people of Iron Ridgefeeltheir hockey team’s losses, especially when the game was a close one. And knowing Blake Maddox?

He’s going to be unbearable when the team arrives back later tonight.

I exhale, shifting my focus back to theverydifferent view in front of me.

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