Page 18 of Keeper
I cracked a smile. “Pete, did you seriously call me to talk about a hot internet chick in Dallas? Do you want me to introduce you to her or something?”
“Sheishot as hell—but no thanks, I’m married,” he said with a snicker. “Actually, I’m wanting introduceyouto her.”
I blinked. “Say what?”
“I had our publicist set up a photo shoot with you and Marta. It’s Sunday afternoon, actually, so you’d better clear your schedule.”
“A photo sh—” I couldn’t even spit the words out. “Pete, whatin the hell are you having me do?”
“It’s just a few photos with a sexy girl in skimpy clothing, Tanner. That’s all.”
“And this is supposed to help me out of my slump?”
“No, it’s supposed to build your brand by spreading your name out to a new audience, thereby increasing your exposure, which will lead to better endorsement deals.” He paused. “But who knows? If you two hit it off, she just might be the slump buster you needed after all, heh heh …”
I grumbled. “I don’t know about this, Pete. Doesn’t really sound like it’s my thing.”
“You don’t know about this, butIdo—that’s what you’ve got me for. Just trust me on this, Tanner.”
Trust.
There was that word again. Was this what Coops meant? Hell, I’d needed something to take my mind off hockey, didn’t I? At this point, I might as well try anything.
I let out a sigh. “Alright, fuck it. I’ll clear my schedule.”
“My man,” Pete said, and over the phone I could hear the sound of his hands rubbing together excitedly. “You won’t regret it. Hey, Tanner—what do I always say?”
“ ‘Use hockey,’ ” I began. The two of us completed the last line of his motto in unison. “ ‘Don’t let hockey use you.’ ”
“That’s right. Hey, have fun with Marta, okay?”
I hope he knows what he’s doing,I thought as I made my way back into the locker room.
The boys were hastily changing into their suits and styling their still-wet hair. Scented clouds of cologne hung in the air.
“There he is!”the boys roared as I walked in.
“Hurry up and put your suit on, Vaughnsy!” Big Rig said.
I groaned. “I don’t know, guys. I think I’m going to sit this one out.”
“Oh no. You’re coming with us,” Dane said. “We’re a team and we’reallgoing out together.”
“I can’t go out drinking,” I protested. “We’ve got a game tomorrow.”
“So don’t drink. Join the sober club,” Reavo said, putting his arm around Niko. “We’ll keep you company.”
Ever since Reavo proposed to Niko’s sister, Katerina, he and Niko were closer than ever—and Reavo worked hard to make sure that Niko was never left out of the team shenanigans because he couldn’t drink anymore. The guy was the best teammate you could ask for, and that’s how I knew he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Fine,” I grumbled, and I started putting on my suit.
The boys cheered.“To Club Plush!”
7
Ainsley
“Ainsley, sweetheart?” Marta had to shout in my ear to be heard over thethumpof the loud beat.She thrust her cell phone into my hands again. “Can you take another one?”
