Page 118 of Puck Yes

* * *

I wait in the tunnel before the game begins, excitement pinging through me. Then, my cue, as the announcer warbles, “And now, fans, get ready to meet…the Golden State Fox!”

Fired up, I hit the ice in my skates, racing across the slick surface, speeding around the oval, one leg stuck out behind me, my fox arms parked coolly behind my back, my tail flying.

The crowd cheers, and after the first lap, the announcer shouts, “And now, tonight’s lineup…”

I bring my back leg down, then hold out my furry arms wide, gesturing toward the tunnel, where the Avengers who might become Foxes come racing out onto the ice as I skate off.

Feeling pretty fucking foxy.

* * *

During the first intermission, I return to the rink, skating circles around the Ice Crew and their brooms. As they sweep up the surface, I sneak up on them like…

Well, a fox.

They pretend to be scared. By the time we’re done, the crowd is cheering and shouting. When the announcer encourages them to vote on their favorite mascot so far, I feel confident the fox won’t need to rig a thing.

* * *

In the final period, I swap my skates for paw-like shoes to work the crowds in the stands, whipping them up, even though the players hardly need our enthusiasm. Or maybe it does the trick because they beat the Los Angeles Timberwolves six to one.

The crowd goes wild, and I’m pretty sure we’ll get a new team name very, very soon.

* * *

Later, I’m hanging in the hallway with Oliver and Parvati, huddled over his tablet as we check the early votes. News flash—neither the fog nor the polar bear is winning.

“I knew it,” Parvati says brightly, then squeezes my arm.

“You can’t argue with a runaway lead,” Oliver says, then gives me a thumbs-up.

But leads can change, just like in games, so I won’t get too excited. It would be fun to wear that fox costume for the season. Wait. Hold on. I only signed on for the next few months. Why am I even considering the whole season as a fox?

I blink the thought away at the sound of heels clicking on concrete. Oliver, Parvati, and I snap our gazes up in tandem as Jessie strides down the hall, looking fashionable and functional in her Lily Greer pumps.

Her brown eyes meet mine, and she points to her shoes with an approving smile. “Still love them,” she says, then stops in front of us. “And the fans loved your idea.”

I smile, dipping my face. I hardly want to take credit for it. But Jessie clears her throat. “Ivy Samuels.”

Oh, shit. I look up. “Yes.”

“It was your idea,” she says, staring sternly at me. I came up with several options from wild cats to foxes and listed them on the card I sent her. “Thank you again for your list.”

“I was happy to weigh in on the cutest but meanest animals.”

My attention briefly snags on a pair of handsome men coming my way, but I try not to get distracted while talking to the big boss.

“Cute but mean?” Stefan asks with sparkling eyes when he reaches us. Hayes is with him, but his expression is more stoic—maybe even concerned. “Oh, you mean the team name?”

Jessie turns to the captain. “Yes. Ivy gave me the idea.”

“Yes, she likes foxes.” His lips twitch like he can barely hold in a grin.

“I do,” I admit, trying not to let on how much.

“So much,” he adds, clearly bursting with some kind of masculine pride.

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