Page 83 of The Puck Stops Here

‘I figured it was best inviting her in person on Tuesday, that way we can lay down some ground rules and see how she reacts to having her journalistic strings cut. Make a call on it then.’

He nodded as he got to his feet and shoved his bowl aside. There was only one way to rid himself of the ants now having a party in his gut.

‘Where are you going?’

‘To the gym.’

‘What about your bowl?’

Blake paused.

‘Not neanderthals, remember?’

His mouth hitched up. ‘Speak for yourself…’

13

‘You talk very highly of the twins,’ Astrid said to Stella who’d taken Ezra’s place behind Coach’s desk.

They had a big function underway in the exec suites today and Coach had kindly offered up his space as a base. It was a ‘busy’ room, the rapid pace of the hockey world everywhere you looked. From the whiteboard marked up with game formations, to the posters, team schedules, books, trophies, hockey gear, to the screens showing the current NHL standings, player stats, and latest news, it was a hive of activity.

‘Of course,’ Stella said with a smile. ‘And I hope you will too.’

Astrid nodded. ‘I get the impression this isn’t just business for you, that you have a real passion for the sport.’

The woman had talked nonstop about hockey and the twins from the moment she’d walked in, her eyes alive with a genuine excitement for it all.

‘Oh yes, I’ve been hockey mad since I was a girl. It’s in my blood. My father is the coach for the Michigan Warriors.’

Much like the Titans, the Warriors led the pack when it came to the NHL standings. ‘You didn’t fancy working for them too?’

‘Heavens no, you can have a little too much father and daughter time, you know?’

No, Astrid didn’t, but she nodded anyway.

‘I’m going to be honest with you,’ Stella said, her eyes suddenly narrowing, ‘when your request first came across my desk, I was a little suspicious…’

The hairs on Astrid’s neck prickled. ‘Suspicious?’

‘Sure. You haven’t worked in the world of ice hockey before and you don’t come across as a fan, and it all begged the question, why? Why hockey? Why us? Why the twins?’

Astrid resisted the urge to wriggle in her seat.

‘I guess what I’m really trying to say is, I was concerned the well-meaning pitch was a front for something else.’

Gulp. ‘Like what?’

‘Something more’ – Stella licked her lips – ‘destructive.’

Astrid frowned. ‘I meant it when I said I won’t print anything you and the twins don’t sign off on.’

‘Oh, I know.’ Stella waved a nonchalant hand. ‘Though these things have a habit of getting leaked… but I’m not worried about that. Not any more. Not with you. I like you. I think the twins like you. And I did my due diligence before I let you in the door. You’re one hell of a writer, fair and just, and your articles shine. I trust you to make our boys shine too.’

Astrid felt her chest puff up at all the praise, suppressing the nervous wriggle that continued to writhe. She took a sip of water. ‘Thank you.’

‘But make no mistake, Ms Sinclair, ruin them and I’ll ruin you.’

Astrid choked on the water, her eyes popping.

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