Page 4 of Just One Season
And I’ve just absolutely humiliated myself in front of him.
My heart thumps loudly in my chest and a squeak escapes my throat. I remind myself I’mnotinto hockey players. Really. I’ve been around enough pro athletes to know they’re way too messy to date.
Waffles looks at me with his scrunched-up face, tongue hanging out of his mouth, perfectly happy in the player’s arms.
“Max—Zeus—Waffles, whatever your name is, bad dog.” I shake my head and plant my hands on my hips. He clearly doesn’t understand what I’m saying as he practically smiles at me.
“You don’t know your dog’s name?” the man asks. He’s not smiling, but his face has a hint of amusement.
“Yeah. I mean, he’s not really my dog. Well, he isnow, for a bit. I hated his name—so did he, by the way—so I’m testing out a few new ones.” I know I’m giving too much information, but I can’t stop myself. My cheeks are warm and must be as red as my hair.
I grab Max/Waffles/Zeus and press him against my chest. He turns his head and licks my neck with his disturbingly long tongue.
“Ugh. Gross.”
At that, the man laughs.
“I’m Kellen Bassey.” Behind him, the players are skating around into their positions for the next drill.
I know.
“Hi. I’m Lucy. Lucy Knox. Nice to meet you. Atticus… has mentioned you.”
“And Atticus has mentionedyou.” He blinks slowly at me, like a judgmental cat, his eyes holding onto mine like a vise.
How much has my brother talked about me to his teammates? He’s probably told them all the worst parts of me. Isn’t that what siblings do?
I swallow and pull at the neckline of my sleeveless blue top, which I paired with casual jeans for my first day of work.
In one swift movement, Kellen pulls off his helmet and runs his hand through sweat-damp hair. Does my jaw drop, with my tongue lolling out like a cartoon character? Probably. How is it fair that he looks so good when he’s this sweaty? I’m not one to swoon over athletes, but Kellen Bassey is something else.
And somehow, that makes my humiliation even worse.
“You alright?” Kellen settles his helmet back on his head.
“Yeah, of course.” I make an effort to close my mouth, so I don’t look like a gaping goldfish. “My dog, just, you know. He’s kind of crazy. Anyway. I’m the new PR person, covering Fiona while she’s out on mat leave. So if you need anything to do with PR, I’m your girl.” I make a weird swooping gesture with my hand.
What. Is. Wrong. With. Me?
Kellen lets out a noncommittal murmur and raises his eyebrows.
“Kellie!” A player calls from the ice. “Come on!”
“Well, welcome to Fort Collins.” Kellen taps the glass panel and gently pulls the door in between us shut until it clicks securely, then skates away with confident, smooth strides.
I groan.If you need anything to do with PR?I didn’t really say that, did I? And…I’m your girl?Oh my god. Way to sound professional. But I guess that ship sailed when my dog peed on the ice.
Good first day.
At least I’m here for just one season. If all goes as planned, at the end of my temporary contract, I’ll be packing up to head to my dream job.
So it doesn’t matter what this man thinks of me.
I’m not trying to find a new fiancé, or a boyfriend, or anybody like that. What I am trying to get is my dream job with a big soccer club in England: Winchester Football Club.
Farther away from my father. And my ex.
Back to working for a professional soccer team, except this time getting the job all on my own.
