Page 18 of Reputation
He could see Daniel shrug in his peripheral.“A few of the guys on the Heirs tried flirting with her.There was a bet at one point to see if anyone could get a date with her,” he said, a disapproving look crossing his face.“Can’t blame them, considering how beautiful she is, but she shut them down every time.”
Interesting.Jax recalled her reaction the other night when she’d learned his name, how she’d run away the second he’d given his name.
A smile curled his lips as he thought about how close she’d be and how easily he could see her whenever he wanted.
Sam stepped up to the front of the room, pulling Jax’s thoughts away from her momentarily.Even as his attention shifted to the GM, he couldn’t stop looking at her as she sat at the front of the room with Mandy.As he watched, Mandy turned and whispered something to her, causing Eavie to smile and nod.Her lips were full and pink, and he remembered how they’d felt beneath his.
“Morning, boys,” Sam started, drawing the room’s attention.“Welcome back!We are very excited about kicking off this season.I will turn the meeting over to Coach in a minute, and he will dive into the battle plan for tomorrow, but I wanted to say a few words first,” he paused, glancing around the room.“This is my fourth year as GM, and we have been gaining more and more traction each year.Over the off-season, we made a few trades, added some new players and some excellent talent, and filled in some gaps.With these changes and all your dedication, I believe this is the yearwewill dominate and get our shot at the championship!”
Cheers of agreement erupted, and Jax clapped with his teammates, feeling the energy swirling around the room.
“So let’s get out there, work hard, and show the league what we are made of!”More cheers erupted, accompanied by piercing whistles, as the team yelled their enthusiasm.
When the room quieted back down, Sam continued, “One last thing before I turn the floor over to Coach.I want to introduce everyone to my new executive assistant, Eavie Adams,” he said, gesturing to the side where she sat with Mandy.At the introduction, she smiled and stood, waving politely to the team as every eye turned to her.“Eavie started with us this morning.Let’s give her a warm welcome to the team.”He clapped, and again, the room joined in.She continued to smile and nodded her thanks.“Alright, Coach, over to you.”Sam stepped to the side, passing the meeting to Fred Pelletier, their head coach.
Jax focused on the meeting, setting his mind into work mode, as if flipping a switch.He’d always had an innate ability to focus entirely on one thing if and when he chose to.It was a skill that was vital to staying calm and keeping your head in the game.
Still, his gaze would drift to her every now and then as the conversation blended from highlights into strategy and game review.She sat off to the side, listening to the back and forth between the coaches and players, looking poised and beautiful as she observed.Her features were relaxed, but he thought he could see a slight tightness in her shoulders.It made him wonder if she wasn’t as unaffected by his presence as she appeared.
About halfway through the meeting, his theory was confirmed when she looked over her shoulder, her gaze locking directly with his.The air around them turned heavy as a lightning bolt of electricity passed between them.The jolt was fast, but he saw a flicker in her eyes.Even though her appearance remained unchanged, he knew she’d felt the same spark echoing in his chest.
Jax aimed a confident, knowing smile in her direction, and she snapped her head away.Turning his own back to the meeting, he forced the satisfied smile to drop from his lips, but inside, his nerves coiled tight in excitement.The competitor in him loved a challenge, and it recognized a new opponent—one that had nothing to do with the game of hockey and everything to do with another game he knew he was about to play.
An hour later, the session wrapped and he watched Eavie beeline for the exit with Mandy beside her.She was chatting animatedly, her attention turned firmly away.Smirking, he knew what she was doing.
Players exited the room behind them, heading to the next stop in their schedules.Jax nodded at Brooks, who met him as he stepped into the aisle.
“Hey,” Brooks said in response.“Where are you headed next?”
Jax scanned his schedule in his mind.“PT,” he answered.“You?”
“I have a session with Ayla,” he said grimly.
Jax chuckled.“It’s been a good run.I’ll make sure to get you a good headstone,” he said jokingly.The flexibility trainer wasn’t known for her gentle touch.They all had to take their turns being tortured by her.
“Want to grab some dinner tonight?”Brooks asked as they each stepped through the door.Immediately, Jax’s eyes sought Eavie standing just down the hall.
“Yeah, sure.The usual?”he asked, referring to their go-to spot.
During the season, the players had to follow strict diets to ensure they got the nutrition they needed.About halfway between their places, there was a small farm-to-table restaurant called Earth Tavern that always had food within their restrictions.
“Works for me.See you later,” Brooks saluted before wandering away.
Jax should have followed him, given that the physical therapy and stretching studio were across from the gym.Instead of going to his appointment like he should have, he turned left, eyes on his bombshell.
She was now standing with Mandy and Jason.As he watched, she reached out and shook his hand before Mandy gestured down the hallway.Jason nodded before wandering off.Mandy said something to Eavie before she turned and followed him, leaving Eavie standing alone.
Perfect.
Jax sauntered up behind her, stopping only a foot away.He wanted to use their chemistry against her as payback for her disappearing act.
“Funny running into you again like this, Cinderella,” he said, watching with satisfaction as her entire body froze.
Chapter Eight
Eavie
Cinderella.
