Page 16 of Reputation
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mandy said innocently.“I’m not scary.Besides, Eavie doesn’t strike me as someone who frightens easily.”She directed the comment toward her.
“That’s true.I used to work for a ballet company.If the dancers and creative directors can’t scare me, nothing can.”She smiled back at Sam.“I’m happy to be part of this team and look forward to working with you.”
“Great, why don’t you settle in for the next half hour?Then we can spend some time catching up.”
“Sounds good,” she answered.
“Well, I should probably get to my office before Jason gets in and thinks I’m slacking,” Mandy said before turning to look back at Eavie.“Feel free to come find me if you have any questions.Otherwise, I’ll see you downstairs.”
With a brief nod, she left Eavie’s office and crossed the hall, leaving both doors open.From where she sat, she could see Mandy as she settled behind her desk.
Eavie turned back to Sam.“Can I get you anything?”she asked.
“I’m okay right now, thank you.Just come right into my office when you’re ready, and we’ll spend some time getting to know each other,” he said.When she nodded, he turned and disappeared through his door, closing it behind him.
Eavie sat at her desk, looking around her new space.With a smile, she thought the day was already going well.Turning her attention to her computer, she powered on the laptop and followed the instructions left on her desk for logging in.Once she had her email and Sam’s calendar on one of her screens, she returned to the binder.
At 9:30 AM, she grabbed her notebook, a pen, and her phone and knocked on Sam’s door before she opened it and walked in.
Sam’s office was decorated much like hers, only the seating area had a more masculine design, with dark leather couches and chairs.It also boasted a small bar against the left wall beside a large whiteboard.On the board, she could see a detailed depth chart of magnets depicting the names of each team member.Similar to hers, the right side of the office contained all windows that looked out on the arena below.
“Come on in,” Sam said at her entrance.“Grab a seat, I’ll be right over.”
Eavie wandered over to the leather couch and sat.Sam finished typing something on his computer before he joined her and took one of the opposite chairs.Between them sat a modern wood coffee table.
“So I know we spoke at your last interview, but I wanted to spend some time this morning getting to know each other and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have,” he said.
“Great,” she said with an easy smile.“Where would you like to start?”
“Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?What do you like to do?”he asked.
Over the next twenty minutes, Sam asked various questions about where she grew up and her interests before they reviewed some questions Eavie had written in her book.By the time they were done, she felt she had a solid foundation on which to start supporting him.
Glancing at the time on her watch, Eavie said, “The meeting is in ten minutes.Are you ready to head down?”
Nodding, Sam said, “Yep, let me just grab my phone.”
“Is there anything I should bring with me?”she inquired.
“No, you won’t need to take any notes at this one.It’s the first team meeting of the regular season.I like to be there and give a little pep talk.I attend throughout the year if my schedule permits.I also want to introduce you today,” he finished as he went over to his desk to grab his phone.
Eavie’s stomach clenched when he said the words “team meeting.”She had known she would meet them at some point or cross paths with some of them, but she hadn’t been prepared to do it almost right away on her first day.
Her resolution from last week to forget the fireworks that had sparked with one player in particular seemed to dissolve like sugar in water as she thought about seeing him again.A flash of excitement moved through her blood, and a matching blush rose to her cheeks.
A little dazed, she returned to her desk to put her notebook down, taking a moment to center herself.This was not a big deal.He was just a person, one of many players on the team.She had dealt with his type countless times over the years, always keeping a polite distance, and this would be no different.She could do this, and she would be damn professional about it.
Schooling her features into a polite smile, she ignored the butterflies in her stomach as Sam emerged from his office.She walked alongside him, back straight and head high, as they made their way to the elevators and down to the sixth floor, where the player facilities were.
Chapter Seven
Jax
Team meetings were just another part of the job for a professional athlete.Some thought they spent all their time on the ice or training in the gym.While that was true, a huge part of being a pro athlete required you to study as well.The difference was instead of studying books or financial reports, they studied strategies and reviewed game tapes of both their team and others.
Most weekday mornings, the team would meet in their small, auditorium-style room to discuss updates and schedules before they jumped into strategies and practice highlights.Home or on the road, it was just another day at the office for him.
Today was different, though.As Jax filed into the auditorium with his teammates, he could feel a buzz of excitement around the room.Today was the first regular season meeting, with their debut game tomorrow.It also coincided with their home opener against one of their biggest rivals, the Montreal Voltigeurs.All the players and coaches were fired up to start the season, and the energy in the room was palpable.Glancing around, he saw his teammates chatting enthusiastically as they grabbed seats, waiting for the meeting to start.
