Page 6 of Romancing the Grump
I’ve been dealing with some family stuff the past couple of weeks, and it’s making me particularly grumpy, but still. This might be a new low.
“Okay, we’ve got a lot to talk about, and Coach Davis assures me you have hours of tape to watch, so I’ll make this quick,” Malik says. “But first, let’s say hello to Summer Callahan, who has joined the Appies’ staff as in-house legal counsel.”
Summer turns in her chair and waves at the room at large. When her gaze skates over me, she gives me that same challenging look. It’s notquitelike she has it in for me, but itdoesseem like she has my number, and I can’t figure out how to feel about that.
“Summer knows a bit about contract law,” Malik continues, “which will be useful for obvious reasons. She also spent a few years working in the district attorney’s office, but let’snotmake that experience useful, hmm? I’d rather not see any of your sorry faces in a criminal courtroom even if Idotrust that the newest member of your team could take care of you.”
“Yeah, I bet she could take care of me,” Dominik, one of the newest players on the team mutters behind me, and the guys around him start to chuckle.
Summer’s lips press into a tight line, and her entire body stiffens. Dominik’s words weren’t loud, but clearly, they were loud enough.
Undeterred by Summer’s obvious displeasure, Dominik smiles, his eyebrows dancing as he kisses the air in her direction. The gesture is suggestive and cocky, and it immediately sets my blood boiling.
Without thinking, I stand up and turn around, catching the attention of the second-line left-winger. As arrogant as he is, you’d think he was starting for the Bruins, not riding the pine in the minor leagues. He’s young yet—only nineteen—and Coach has told us we need to teach him how to be an Appie, so…fine.I’ll teach him a lesson right now.
His joking quickly sobers under the weight of my stare, but there’s still a challenge in his expression when he finally lifts his eyes to meet mine. I frown, my hands tightening into fists as I shake my head. “No,”I say in a tone that even surprises me for how menacing it sounds.
Dominik doesn’t respond, his steely gaze holding mine, and I debate my next move. I’d rather rough him up on the ice than deal with him here—that’s easier to justify to the coaches—but if he doesn’t apologize in the next five seconds, he’s getting a fist to his nose, consequences be damned.
Finally, he lifts his hands in a placating gesture and mutters an insincere “sorry” in Summer’s direction.
Oh, he’s definitely getting it at practice later.
I turn and sit down, making quick eye contact with Coach Davis, who nods in approval, before letting my gaze swivel to Summer.
She’s watching me, and when our eyes meet, her lips curve into a small smile and she nods her head in a way that feels like a thank you.
Beside me, Felix leans toward me. “What was it you said?” he whispers. “She talks too much?”
“Shut up,” I grumble back, and he lifts a hand to cover his grin.
“Okay. Parker, you’re up. What do you have for us?” Malik says.
Parker stands, clipboard in hand. “Okay. Dumbo, Tucker, Logan and Felix. I need you on the ice twenty minutes beforepractice tomorrow, wearing your game jerseys. We’ve got five players from the Junior Appies coming over to film a promo for the scholarship program. You’ll shoot around a little bit, smile for some photos, do a little bit of coaching. We’ll keep it short and sweet.”
“Before practice?” Dumbo asks. “Is there a reason we can’t do it after?”
Parker looks up, her eyebrows lifted. “Have youseenwhat you look like after practice?”
“Okay, that’s fair,” Dumbo says.
“Not to mention the smell,” Tucker says. He elbows Dumbo. “You, especially.”
“What? I do not stink…more than anyone else does.”
“Yeah, you do,” Alec says.
“It’s pretty bad, man,” Van adds.
Felix leans up and claps Dumbo on the back. “Listen,someonehas to smell the worst. Wear the badge proudly.”
A chuckle sounds across the room as Dumbo turns and punches Felix in the arm.
“Helmets will be off for the shoot,” Parker adds, talking over the sudden commotion, “so trim the beards, brush the hair. Let’s do our best not to look scary.”
“Better leave your helmet on then, Logan,” Tucker says.
Logan leans forward, grabs the pen off Parker’s clipboard, and tosses it at Tucker.
