Page 2 of Trade Deadline

Dread pools in the pit of my stomach. Twisting and churning as my hands start to shake. It’s easy when it’s just some text claiming I did this or that, it can be brushed off as fabricated, but when there’s photos? That’s when it gets harder. That’s the proof I can’t deny.

“Photos?”

“Yeah. We’ve managed to get them taken down, but the Thunder PR team has been working throughout the night as they keep reappearing.”

“What kind of photos are we talking about here? Is my dick on Twitter?”

It wouldn’t be the first time there’s been something incriminating posted about me. Luckily, my dick hasn’t graced the world wide web.

Yet.

“No, thank God. They are all from behind, so all you can see is your back and ass, but everyone can tell it's you because of your tattoo. They must have set up a camera, or one of them took it while you were entertaining another, I don’t know, but there’s also a photo of the three of them posing by your Frozen Four jersey with a rather … inelegant caption.”

I squeeze my eyes closed, raking my hand through my hair.

I’ve always been super careful with everyone I brought back here. Taking them to my spare room like I always do because it’s so fucking minimalist that there’s no way they can take anything as a trophy or go snooping where I don’t want them. I was naive not to think about the jerseys on the wall in my hallway.

Because if they wanted ahey, I was here!brag post, it would be the perfect one.

My heart thumps wildly in my chest. Anxiety crawls across my skin like an army of fire ants.

As I said, nothing good comes from your agent calling at six thirty in the morning.

“Has Coach…?” I trail off.

“Yeah, he’s pissed. The only reason why you’re not packing your bags right now is because I’ve given him my word that we’re going to work on cleaning up your image.”

“This fucking sucks.” I grumble.

I’m a fucking amazing hockey player, with the stats to prove it. I’m currently sitting second in points in the league. It’s not my fault that everyone wants to hook up with me for bragging rights. It’s hard not to give into the temptation of a good time when I have attractive people throwing themselves at me in every city. It's part and parcel of being a professional hockey player in the NHL.

Plus, I always make it crystal clear that this is a no-strings-attached, fun time in fucktown. No false hopes and empty promises of something more.

Sex.

Just sex.

An aid to help blow off steam and tension.

“I suggest you keep your head down for a while, at least until the trade deadline has passed. The GM isn’t happy with you either, so we need to work on ensuring that you keep your spot on this team because you deserve it. You’re an incredible hockey player, Blaine, and I would hate to see you lose everything you’ve worked so hard for because of people who only care about your status.”

I drop my head into my hand and pinch the bridge of my nose.

I want to stay on this team. It means more to me than just a paycheck. These guys have become my family, and I don’t want to lose them. I know it comes with the territory, but Iloveit here.

“I’m putting my reputation on the line for you, Blaine. Don’t let me down. Your contract is up at the end of this season, and while I’m still working on negotiations, the last thing we need is this kind of attention. I’m about to board my flight to Chicago, so I’ll see you in a few hours before my meeting to discuss a plan for what’s next.”

He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he hangs up.

The room plummets into silence apart from the blood thumping in my ears as I stare out of my bedroom window overlooking Lake Michigan. I don’t usually close the drapes when I sleep, except when I have my pre-game nap. The bustling streets of Chicago and the expanse of water is usually soothing. Only now, the lake is rippling with waves from the wind, crashing aggressively against the shoreline.

It’s chaotic.

Turbulent.

Which is strangely apt for this moment, especially as the sky is gray and cloudy. Like a storm is brewing, threatening a torrential downpour.

Just like my career.

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