Page 65 of Just One Season
We pull our act together in the last period and Harley and Atticus both score, but we still lose 3-2.
On the bus to our team plane, I read a flirty text from Lucy, but my heart’s not into responding to it. Instead, I text Bri and confirm our plans for the morning. It’s always like this around Ava’s appointments. I’m withdrawn and distracted and forget to give myself a bit of a break.
I put in my AirPods and don’t interact with my team on the flight home. They know what’s coming up, and they understand to leave me alone.
I just gotta get my family through tomorrow.
CHAPTER 19
Immune to the Charms of Hockey Players
LUCY
Friday, October 18
“Do we need to meet again?” Lachlan says, starting to unbutton his collared shirt.
“I think we got what I need. Thanks.”
“Bye for now, Lucy.” Lachlan, shirt half open and with an armful of clothes draped over his forearm, bows and grins charmingly before heading out of the conference room where I’ve been camped out for photo sessions.
The Australian is a huge flirt, but also polite and gentlemanly whenever I’m around him. And anyway, I’m immune to the charms of hockey players.
The photographer packs up, but leaves the green screen set up because it belongs to the Blizzard. I thank him, and he disappears into the hallway. We’re doing a supplemental photo shoot with all the players. There was a media day last month, but Lina and I agreed we could make use of additional photos of the players to pitch different sponsorships. So this photo shoot is about adding to the catalogue of great photos we already have of all the players.
Kellen’s the only one who didn’t show.
I sit and look at our text messages from earlier.
Kellen
I might be late to the photo session—at an appointment with Ava that could run over
Me
No problem, good luck
I didn’t bother him when his appointment time came and went. Then, an hour ago, I sent one more text, which has gone unanswered.
Me
Hey, hope all is okay. Are you going to be able to come by for the photo session?
I sink into one of the conference table chairs and close my eyes. I shouldn’t have mentioned the dumb photo shoot. It’s so not important. My phone buzzes with a text and I jump.
It’s from Lina.
Lina
How’d it go today?
Me
Good. All done
Lina
Great! Sorry I couldn’t be there
