Page 35 of Playing to Win

I’d lifted a foot to unlace my skate and almost fell over in surprise. “Uh, that’s nice, but I have someone already.” I’d never had agents fighting to represent me, but I’d been approached by a woman just starting out with her own agency. Stacy and I both had odds against us, but she was doing a good job for me so far. She’d negotiated excellent terms on my Inferno/Blaze contract in case I was called up, and that was paying off now.

Petey nodded. “I know. My agent wishes to discuss something else. His daughter.”

What? Why?A sinking feeling hooked into my guts. “Frank Devereaux is your agent?”

“Yes. You complained about his daughter playing.”

Had Frank missed the whole me-and-Jayna thing? Maybe this fake dating wasn’t working, and people still thought my issue with Faith was something personal. Maybe Jayna and I would have to stop. The idea was disappointing.

“It wasn’t about her, not Faith. It was because of my girlfriend.”

“Your girlfriend?”

“Did you not hear about it? It came up in the press conference yesterday. There was a lot of publicity.”

I hadn’t imagined those reporters asking questions and Jayna answering them, had I?

“I do not read what reporters say. I listen to my coaches and my mind. No distractions.”

He didn’t seem to mind distracting me. “Okay, well, I’m dating Jayna Templin. You saw us last night.” And I ran through the story we’d made up. Again.

Petey was unlacing his skates. He straightened up and put his hands on his hips.

“Men do not complain because girlfriends cannot be with them. You have much to learn. This Jayna may not be good for you.”

I turned my back to him to pull off my pads while I chose my next words carefully. I hated being seen as a whiner over my girlfriend ditching me, but I didn’t dare tell Petey that the real problem had been because his agent was my father. And Jayna was a goddamned miracle for me, because she was helping me out. “I’ll, uh, I’ll think about it.”

“And you will meet Frank?”

Hell no.“Why don’t you explain to him that I don’t have a problem with his daughter. Just, um, he’s probably seen the press. I don’t need to bother him—it’s not going to happen again.”

“We will see.” Petey headed to the showers.

I clonked my forehead against the edge of the cubby. Of course Frank Devereaux had to represent my teammate. But there was no time to whine about this either. I had a job to keep.

Chapter11

The best game

Braydon

After the game,the team went out for the drinks Cooper had promised. Jayna worked during the game but she came with me since we were “dating.” She met me in the friends and family room after I’d showered and dressed back in my suit. I’d been able to get it dry cleaned after I’d slept in it, but it still looked second-rate next to what the other guys were wearing.

I’d seen Jayna in dress pants at her job, and in casual clothes at the party at our place, and at Cooper’s. Tonight, she was dressed up and she looked hot. She wore a black dress that clung tightly to her body, with black tights covering any scarring on her knee, and finished her look with red, low-heeled boots. She still had her cane but didn’t use it much as she crossed to me without a wobble, wrapping her hand around my arm. Her hair was in loose curls, her lips were red, and her eyes made up to stand out. I felt a little swagger, that this woman was with me.

“You look…” I swallowed. “Um, nice.”

Mentally I smacked myself.Nice?

She waved a hand over herself. “Nice? If I only look nice, then I obviously made a mistake somewhere.”

I couldn’t believe this was the same woman I’d seen battling on the ice in those videos, and who’d put me in my place at our first meeting. “You’re right—you look amazing. Is it okay if I say that?”

“My boyfriend is definitely allowed to tell me I look good. Just because we play a sport doesn’t mean we don’t know how to dress to impress.”

“You do!”

She nudged me. “Don’t sound surprised.”

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