Page 23 of Playing to Win

I turned to face the team, most of them watching the show we’d put on for them with beer in their hand—the ones we’d brought. No one looked suspicious. There were a lot of smirks, and they’d probably give Braydon a hard time later. Not my problem. Who knew if he’d see them again before this was over?

Time to win some goodwill. “The Blaze are funding pizza. Who wants what?”

Chapter8

So not what I wanted

Jayna

With free beer and pizza,no one questioned our sudden relationship. Which was good, because I was still rattled by that kiss. Were we going to kiss often? I’d been so focused on logistics and spin that I hadn’t considered the details of actually fake dating Braydon. He and I needed to talk, but it would be when we were in private, not partying with the Inferno.

I sat tight against him on the couch. The party wasn’t too extreme. These guys all had practice in the morning, and they might be young and bounce back quick, but we were close to the playoffs and their coach would be watching them closely. There was loud music, pizza and beer. Video games, and chirping on teammates while playing video games. Lots of talk about hockey.

Megan was in the kitchen organizing the pizza. Luke, Braydon’s roommate, was with her, and a couple more Inferno guys. From the bits and pieces I overheard, they were defensemen like her.

I’d passed on the chance to play video hockey, since I was technically working. I took photos, including a selfie of the two of us smooshed into the couch by some of his teammates. Everything was going smoothly when the Inferno captain Bats asked how long we’d been seeing each other. I didn’t know what Braydon might try to say, so I rushed to answer that one.

“Not long. Since I work for the Blaze and the Bonfire, and he’s on the Inferno, it’s kind of not allowed? But after last night…”

I turned to Braydon and put my hand on his cheek. His eyes flashed but he didn’t pull away.

“Someone was upset that I didn’t spend time with him, and now it’s all come out. Employees have to sign a nonfraternization clause, but since I’m a player as well, we found a loophole and the team okayed it.”

I turned back to Bats, making sure I didn’t let my eyes roll. The whole thing sounded so stupid to me and I couldn’t believe anyone would buy it. But we were saved by the bell—if by bell, you meant Cooper. He walked in the door and every eye focused on him.

He had his typical cocky smirk on his face. He nodded at Megan and me. “Templin, Thomson.” Cooper had his faults, but he respected our women’s hockey team. He couldn’t be around Faith and not.

Megan waved. She had a bit of a crush on him, so her smile was warm. Me, I didn’t really want a guy who was that pretty. And I definitely didn’t want a hockey player.

Cooper’s gaze moved on to the guy I was almost sitting on top of. “Mitchell. Good game last night.”

“Um, thanks. But it was the whole team.”

And Faith, but this wasn’t the time to bring up that opinion.

“I’m here to officially welcome you to the Blaze. You should check your messages, Mitch. Sorry, guys, but we’re keeping him for a while.”

I was pressed so tightly to Braydon that I felt his sharp inhale. He’d been hoping for a couple more games, but he was finishing the season with the Blaze. Maybe we could talk about that now that Cooper had broken the news.

The guys from the Inferno gathered around Cooper like filings to a magnet. He was who they wanted to be. One of the top players in the league, team captain, with awards and a ton of endorsements. Looks, money, admiration, fans—he had it all.

Someone put last night’s game on the big TV, and everyone gathered around to watch. I’d been in the press box to see it last night while I was working. Still, watching it with Cooper and Braydon providing commentary was riveting. Cooper was a defenseman, and Braydon a goalie, while I was a winger, but hearing what they’d been thinking and doing during their time on ice was fascinating.

Cooper didn’t actively brag, but the things he noticed and watched backed up his standing in the NHL. He saw the plays coming, instead of waiting to react to them when they happened.

Braydon started shaky, and he credited the Blaze with helping him.

“What was it like?” one of the guys behind us asked. Every player in this room wanted to play with the Blaze.

“It’s fast. So fast. Any mistake—someone takes advantage.”

“Get used to it.” Cooper grinned.

After the second period ended there was an awkward moment. Faith was brought in, and everyone had seen or heard of Braydon’s rant.

To his credit, he told everyone to keep watching. “What I said—it was stupid and had nothing to do with her game. She played well, and we made history.”

I hoped he believed that instead of just parroting the words. Making sure he kept saying it would be a lot easier if it wasn’t a front.

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