Page 5 of Reputation
It wasn’t that he was ever lonely or lacking in female attention.Jax was a professional athlete.There were always women wanting to be with him.It was just that none of those women had ever seized his attention like this one.
Jax’s recent dating history consisted of casual dinners and hook-ups when he was in the mood for a release or distraction.He was careful to only engage in either with women who understood the limited commitment he was willing to offer and that he was confident he would never feel more than a fleeting interest in.After what happened with his last relationship, Jax had nothing more to offer.What remained of his heart belonged only to hockey.
What disoriented him now was that none of the women he’d dated or slept with came close to holding his attention like the bombshell sitting at the back of the bar.The goddess below seemed to have no idea of the effect she had on everyone around her.The women he dated knew they were beautiful and were happy to soak in the attention it brought them.This woman was either unaware or uninterested in the attention she generated.Whichever it was, it somehow made her more attractive to him.
“Hey, Cap!”called a voice behind him, pulling his attention away from the mesmerizing woman below.
Slightly annoyed at the interruption, Jax glanced over his shoulder and stood up straight as Cole Mitchell, one of his team’s top young wingers, walked up.Holding a glass of amber liquid in one hand, he used the other to clap Jax on the back.
Cole, known affectionately as Coletrain for his habit of singing, had played for the Royals since he was drafted from the Provincial Hockey League six years ago.He was quick on skates and had a knack for being a playmaker, both on and off the ice.With his dark brown hair, clear green eyes, and charming smile, he had a reputation as a player when it came to women.With the team, he was always the first to hype the boys up or keep a mood light when they needed it.
Flashing a mischievous grin, he said, “I was thinking it’s time our distinguished captain made a speech.”
Anton smothered a laugh beside him as Jax gave Cole a dry look.Speaking to groups of reporters came with the job as a professional athlete, and he’d become well-versed in giving the right answers and charming his audience early in his career.However, the image he portrayed to the public and media differed from the one his teammates knew.He considered his team family and never pretended to be other than who he was with them.
Of course, speeches were part of his role as captain, too, but his teammates knew it was the responsibility he enjoyed the least.Jax preferred one-on-one conversations or mentorship.He tended to leave the hyping up to Cole and some more senior players who enjoyed that aspect.
Tonight, however, was their season kick-off party.With rookies joining the team and off-season trades and acquisitions, the team dynamics changed every year.Training together was only one way for them to become a unit, but a team’s true success came from the bonds they formed off the ice.Knowing those you played with was vital to the chemistry of line combinations on the ice.
In the spirit of tonight’s event, the captain was expected to say a few words to kick off the upcoming season.While he knew it was within his responsibilities as captain, Jax couldn’t help but toss the offer over to Cole.
“Figured you might be interested in giving the speech this year, Coletrain,” Jax said, giving him a patronizing smile.“I know how much your role as hype-man means to you.I’d hate to take that away.”
Unfazed by Jax’s attempt to rile him up, Cole shrugged one shoulder casually.“I’m happy to let you take some of the attention tonight.I’m sure plenty of the beautiful ladies here will be happy to soothe my wounded pride,” he answered with a smug smile.Glancing over the side of the railing to the floor below, he continued, “In fact, I’m in the mood for a blonde, and I see several below who might be more than willing to comfort my bruised ego.”
Jax stiffened as the image of Cole with one specific blonde flashed through his mind.Cole’s flippant and sometimes callous view of women rarely bothered him.It wasn’t like he was a saint when it came to them, but as Cole’s gaze swept over the women below, Jax was irrationally pissed at Cole over the mere idea of him withhisblonde.
Where the fuck had that come from?
Logically, he knew thinking of her that way was ridiculous, but he couldn’t stop the possessiveness washing over him.
He was saved from having to comment as Anton laughed.“Put a balm on your ego instead,” he said in his Slavic accent.“Tonight’s about the team, not finding some poor girl to stick your cock in.”
Jax couldn’t stop the laugh that burst out at Cole’s crushed expression.It reminded him of a kid who was told he couldn’t have any candy.Relieved his attention had been diverted before he caught sight of the one blonde that seemed to draw every eye, Jax grasped his shoulder.
“Aw, don’t look so sad.We’ll find a way to get you some attention before the night ends.Now that charming a girl into going home with you is off the table, maybe you want to rethink taking over the speech tonight,” he said.
Cole rolled his eyes, but Jax saw the corner of his mouth lift at their teasing.“Nah,” he said, shaking his head, “I know how much you look forward to this every year.I wouldn’t forgive myself for taking it away.”
Sighing, Jax took another long drink of his beer before subtly steering Cole back toward the center of the room and away from the open view below.He knew Cole took his position on the team seriously and wouldn’t abandon the team event, but a part of him wanted to make sure the bombshell stayed off his radar.If Jax was having this much trouble drawing his attention away, he knew Cole wouldn’t be able to resist.
At the center of the room, Jax clapped Cole on the shoulder again before he turned to the faces surrounding him.Every player from their team was gathered tonight, along with invited guests.Most were partners or girlfriends, a few had invited close friends, but since the kick-off party was for the team, invitees were limited.
“All right, everyone,” he called out to the room to garner their attention.“I promise to make this quick so we can get back to having a good time.”A low rumble of laughter filtered through the group.They all knew the real reason this speech would be short.
Dozens of faces focused on him as they turned and shifted until Jax stood in a loose circle.He took a deep breath and looked around at the men that made up this season’s team.
“Welcome to this year’s annual kick-off event and the final party before the season starts.Drink up tonight—it’s your last chance to party for a while.”There were more chuckles around the room as he continued.“It feels great to be back here with you boys, and an honor to be standing in front of you for another year as your captain.First, I’d like to welcome back the players from last year’s roster,” he paused, turning in a circle as he nodded to those men.“I’m looking forward to another season playing beside you.Next, I’d like to welcome our newest players to the team.”
As always, a lot of movement happens during the summer, and traded players had to say goodbye to their teams, finding a way to become part of a new one.
“For our rookies, you are joining a new world—one you haven’t experienced before.This is unlike any league you’ve played in.You may have been the best player on your old team, but here, you are playing with and against the best players in the world.The competition in this league is harder, and the stakes are higher,” he said, continuing his path around the circle.
He held the gaze of each face he turned to as he spoke, letting the weight of his words sink in.It was important to recognize the three different groups that were expected to meld and reshape into a team.For a rookie, this was an exciting new adventure, but for players whose loyalty belonged to another team months or weeks ago, letting go of those allegiances or past grudges generated from years of playing against each other was psychologically challenging and took a lot of discipline.
“Tonight, we become one team.We set the foundation on which our successes or failures will be based.It takes more than memorized plays or a precise shot to be the champions at the end of this season.To truly succeed, we have to become one—one mind, one hand, one team,” he continued as heads nodded in agreement.“So tonight, away from training and the arena, we are going to get to know each other.I know we all live for the game, but your goal tonight is to abandon the usual conversations about the sport and learn who your fellow players are off the ice.
“The Royals had an excellent season last year.We made it to the third round of playoffs but tasted bitter defeat in game six.But this year—with this group—I know wewilldo it.This is the year we become champions!”he boasted loudly as shouts of agreement rang out from the group around him.
