So Pucking Over You (Power Play Off The Ice: Snowed In For The Holidays)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Dash

The cold air feels good. I swear looking at her always raises my temperature and my dick. It’s why I pulled on a flannel button up when she went to the shower. I needed the coverage.

She’s Gordy’s little sister which automatically puts her off limits. She’s just had an embarrassing breakup.

I shouldn’t think of her the way I do. Although I’m only eight years older, it feels like a lifetime.

But I want her so bad I ache. Not just for her sexy little body, her mind, her spirit, her spunk calls to me as well. Pulling into the parking lot at the pizza place I run a hand down my face. What did I get myself into? Will I be able to keep my feelings under wraps?

I can do this. I will do this. For her. I’ll let her save face, embrace her new job and watch her back. When the season’s over… I’ll let her go.

My phone pings. I glance at the message from Coach.

Coach: It’s all over the press, blowing up the airwaves. Goddamn social media. Reports are he was seen cheating. She was seen cheating. The team is imploding, taking sides. This kind of craziness could blow our concentration, our chances. Owners are demanding to know what’s going on. We’ve got to get our fucking story straight.

We need to meet. You, Oakley, Trevor and I, and one of the owners insists on being videoed in.

Dash: Why Oakley?

Coach: Because I just insisted on hiring her. I’ve had my eye on her talent for months. She’s exactly what we need in front of the camera.

Dash: This is too damn soon. She just caught him cheating. Give it a couple days.

Coach: The owners insist. Now.

Dash: I’ll ask her. If she says no, I’m not forcing her. We need an hour.

Coach: There’s a small conference room off the lobby, meet us there.

After picking up the food I head back. She doesn’t need this shit show. She deserves time.

As I pull back into the motel parking lot, I see Trevor and Sabrina entering their room. She turns and snaps something at him. He scowls, says something back and nods. Looks like trouble in paradise.

When her daddy was parading her in front of me, I noticed that she’s as much of a shot caller as her father. I can’t imagine two self-centered divas ever making a relationship work. Ought to be interesting.

Trevor’s a fool. He had the real deal and threw it away.

I knock before unlocking the door to my room and push it open. “Just me, Oakley.”

She’s stretched out on the bed, leaning against the headboard, her gaze slightly unfocused as if lost in thought.

When she sits up, I read the pink words etched on her black hoodie: I’m not arguing, I’m simply explaining why I’m right. I stifle a smile. That’s my girl. She may barely top five feet, but she acts like she’s six-four.

Scrambling off the bed, she takes the coffee, pops one open, takes a swallow and sighs. “Perfect.”

Waiting until after she’s eaten two slices of pizza, I meet her gaze. “Coach called. There’s been a lot more social media. The owners are demanding a meeting. We’ve been asked to join them in about twenty minutes on a video call. Coach, Phil, you, me, and Trevor. It’s up to you whether you go or not. I told them I wouldn’t force you.”

Not answering, she grabs her backpack, removes her laptop and a notebook. I watch in silence as her fingers fly over the keyboard and she makes written notes. She glances up. “How much more time do I have?”

“We should probably head over.”

She nods, repacks her backpack before changing out her sweatshirt for a light blue sweater then pulls on her coat and boots as I do the same. Grabbing her bag, she meets me at the door. I hold out my hand. “Give me your bag.”

“I can carry my own bag.”

I shake my head and smile. “Oakley, you know me. If I’m with you, you don’t carry anything.”

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head, but hands me the backpack. Then pauses. “If anyone’s out there, let them film whatever they want. We don’t engage.”

She’s the expert. I wrap an arm over her shoulder, and we walk to the office then down the hall to the meeting room.

Coach and Phil are standing to the side, the owner is already displayed on a screen. Oakley slips off her coat and takes the chair directly across from the video screen lowered from the ceiling. Her hand trembles slightly as I hand her the backpack. My little hellcat isn’t as calm as she’s trying to pretend. That’s okay. I got her back. I’ve got a couple aces up my sleeve if we need them.

I take the seat next to her, coach sits beside me, and Phil is across from me.

“Good evening, Mr. Lee. I’m Oakley Wells.”

He raises his eyebrow, acknowledging that she knows who he is. “Your brother is Gordy Wells, my right winger, correct?”

“Yes, Gordy is my brother,” Oakley replies.

“I understand you’re a media specialist?”

“I have a master’s from NYU. I worked for the Times as an intern through college and did articles for magazines and other papers. I’ve been working for a paper in Buffalo since graduating. I recently created a social media test platform called ‘The Oakley’ where I’ve been talking about the Blades. It’s still in the infant stage where I’m measuring what works best and what will bring the Blades the most followers.”

Trevor saunters in, hands shoved into his team jacket and takes the seat across from Coach.

Mr. Lee’s gaze flips to Trevor. “Explain to me, Markel, the pictures of you and Sabrina White, the daughter of one of our biggest competitors, in Florida over the holidays.”

“I was invited to a party. I didn’t pay attention to who threw it.”

“So it wasn’t a recruitment ploy? They aren’t offering you a contract package?”

Trevor squirms in his seat before answering, “No.”

“And the fiasco from today that is putting the team in a scandalous light?”

“Bad timing.”

“The rag reporter just happened to know where you’d be when we haven’t disclosed any of the stops for the team bus?”

“He must have been following me. I missed the bus, so I drove.”

“I recommend that you revisit the morality and publicity clauses in your contract. There are substantial penalties for violating them.” He turns his attention to Oakley. “Ms. Wells, have you spoken to your brother? I’m sorry, but he can be a hot head.”

“Gordy’s fine, sir. He understands the situation. Dash has been a friend of my family for years. We’re all good.”

He pauses and turns his attention to me. “Dash?”

“Gordy and I have talked. We’re on the same page and he understands today’s unfortunate incident. The misunderstanding. However—” I make sure to have eye contact with Trevor. “We are both sensitive to how Oakley is treated. A second incident, accidental or not, will be handled swiftly and appropriately.”

“Which brings me to the publicity damage control. Ms. Wells, Coach and Phil passed on your suggestion for how we can handle this. I’ve approved your suggestions, and the board signed off on your employment contract.”

“What? What are you hiring her for?” Trevor exclaims leaning forward.

“Ms. Wells is our new publicity contact. Phil will continue in his position and Ms. Wells will be taking over all media interface until the end of the season. She will control all interviews, who gets interviews, and all press releases. Again, in accordance with our contracts.

“No interviews will be given without her approval. I have already approved her release regarding today’s unfortunate incidents.

“Let me make myself clear to all of you. Another trash tabloid release like today will not happen again. This is not the image the Buffalo Blades will tolerate.”

Mr. Lee scowls. “Next time you open a door, Trevor, you damn well better have your pants on.”

“Dash and Oakley, understand I insist your relationship also be circumspect. Now, what’s the plan?”

Oakley squares her shoulders. “Sabrina’s name and relationship to the Arctic Bears is going to cause a lot of speculation. I recommend we call a press conference, so we have everyone contained in one area, one feed.”

“Our response should be on the offensive. I suggest that the three of us, Trevor, Dash, and I appear together. We are aware of the video and the misrepresentation of the situation. Yes, Trevor and I broke up before the holidays. It was a mutual decision between two adults. No scandal, no hard feelings.

“We avoid the towel and immediately go after the relationship with Sabrina. Which is the real story. They met at a party and didn’t realize the connection to opposing teams. Trevor did not know that she was the daughter of the Bears owner. Life happens, and personal relationships are not immune to complications. He is fully committed to his contract with the Blades and is looking forward to a shot at the cup.” She stares at Trevor.

“They will ask, multiple times, in multiple ways, if he’s being recruited. He will need to speak convincingly that it was a random meet at a party. He was in Florida enjoying the sun and sand before hitting the ice again.

“I can come up with some questions we should expect, and we can do a mock interview for practice. If we stick to the plan, we can deflect this.”

Mr. Lee nods. “I think it would be best if you handle all the questions if possible. You’re trained in this. Dash and Trevor are more knee jerk.”

“And I’m more expendable if I make a mistake.” She smiles. “Mr. Lee, I’ve been a fan of the Buffalo Blades since I was a young girl. I even had hopes of someday playing for the team. Since the league has not embraced co-ed teams that’s not possible. Yet. I care about this team. I won’t let you down.”

Lee smiles and nods. “Welcome to the team, Miss Wells.”

I glance at her and wink. Fuck, I love this woman.

We all stand, and Oakley begins to pack up her stuff. Coach and Phil come to talk to her. Trevor heads for the door and I follow a few feet behind.

“Hey Trev.” He turns to look at me.

My hands are hooked in my pockets, and I nod to an empty hall. I already checked with the desk clerk and know there are no cameras in the area. I pause a few feet down the hall and lean against the wall. He mimics my posture on the opposite side.

I get right to the point. “White isn’t a nice guy. I know some players on the Arctic Bears, and they say he’s a liar and conniver. He doesn’t keep his promises.”

He stiffens. “You jumped on my girl pretty quick, old man. Are you trying to play daddy to me, too?”

“Those years I’ve got on you have seen a hell of a lot. I was trying to warn you. Truth, I don’t give a fuck about you. But in two years when you’ve burnt your bridges and are settling for a third-rate team, remember this conversation.”

I straighten to my full height. “You hung her out to dry over the holidays and then you set her up to be embarrassed. Right now, she’s in there trying to help you save face and keep your job, because she’s a good person. Fuck with her again, and I’ll cut your balls off and shove them down your throat.”