56. Sneak Peek
Triplet For My Pucking Enemy
Chapter One
Cassie
Tonight, I’m stepping into a whole new league—literally.
Last week I moved to New York, leaving behind a life of weekend games, bright lights, and palm trees in Florida.
Now, I’m at a gala thrown by Sportline Media, my new employer, and the NHL to announce the sports commentators and hockey reporters for this year’s Stanley Cup championship games.
And I’m one of them.
With a journalism degree and a background in covering college sports for Florida’s leading sports network, I’m finally here—ready to hold my own among broadcasting legends, all while dressed to the nines.
I sip my champagne as I scan the room from my table, searching for my brother.
I brought Mike as my plus-one; he’d never forgive me if I didn’t.
Hockey has been an obsession of his for as long as I can remember.
Hockey runs through his veins—if he’s not watching a game, he’s texting his buddies about it.
I smooth down the shimmering fabric of my midnight-blue gown, taking in the grandeur of the ballroom. The lights sparkle off chandeliers overhead, casting a golden glow over tuxedos and elegant dresses.
Finally, I spot Mike making his way over, grinning and clutching his phone. “I just got a selfie with the Inferno’s head coach!”
“That’s awesome!” I flash him a smile. “Now put that poor phone down. It must be overheating.”
He chuckles, stowing it in his tux pocket as he takes a seat next to me. Built like a linebacker, Mike stands out here in the crowd of executives, media, and even the NHL players.
But even though he’s smiling, I catch that distant look in his eye. Growing up, he loved playing hockey, and he always dreamed of going pro. When he didn’t make the North American Hockey Team, he became a firefighter instead.
“Hey, hockey’s loss is the New York Fire Department’s gain,” I tease, giving his shoulder a light pat.
Mike laughs, coming back to the present moment, and I’m relieved when I see a twinkle in his eye. “Yeah, saving lives kind of makes up for the whole no-pro-hockey thing.”
I lean my head on my brother’s shoulder. It’s moments like these that remind me why I moved back home to New York in the first place. When I was offered the job, the chance to be closer to Mike and my mom made the decision easy.
But there was one catch.
Moving back meant living in the same city as Blake Evans—my brother’s best friend, a billionaire sports mogul with ventures in real estate, tech, and sports, and the Inferno’s starting center and team captain.
He also just happens to be my relentless childhood bully.
I unintentionally scowl as I think about him.
Blake and Mike have been best friends since kindergarten. They are two years older than me, which means I’ve endured years of teasing, pranks, and jabs. He’s practically the blueprint for my adolescent insecurities.
While Mike grew up to be protective and kind, Blake… well, Blake became the guy whose very presence I learned to avoid.
And, of course, the first time I have to face him in ten years is now, the biggest night of my career so far.
As if on cue, Mike waves and suddenly calls out, “Hey, Blake!”
My heart stutters knowing I’m about to have to face Blake Evans—certified bane of my existence.
Considering he’s thirty now, is there hope he’s finally grown up?
I spot him heading toward us, his gait as confident and cocky as ever.
He’s built like an athlete—muscles that seem to stretch every seam of his tailored suit. And his face… Well, it’s the kind of face you see on magazine covers: sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes that seem to cut right through you.
But it doesn’t faze me one bit.
As he approaches, I notice the little girl at his side, her small hand tucked securely in his. She can’t be older than five or six, with blue eyes that perfectly mirror his own.
Does he have a kid?
“So good to see you, man!” Mike claps Blake on the shoulder.
Wish I could say the same.
“Cassie, remember Blake?” Mike asks, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. He reaches down to lift the little girl into his arms. “And this is Emma, Blake’s daughter.”
Blake steps forward, offering his hand stiffly. “Cassandra.”
I force a polite smile and shake his hand out of pure obligation. “Blake.”
“Hi, Emma,” I say, meeting her gaze with a warm smile, doing my best to hide the shock in my voice. “Nice to meet you, I’m—“
“You’re Cassie!” She beams at me, a wide, gap-toothed grin. “Daddy said your name on the way here.”
“Did he?” I glance up at Blake, catching it as he looks away. His posture stiffens slightly, like he’d rather be anywhere else.
“Want to sit with Cassie and me?” Mike asks Emma, who answers with a cheerful “Yes!” and wriggles into his lap.
“Stay close,” Blake says to her, his voice dropping to a gentler tone. The way he looks at her—so full of care—is a side of Blake I never knew existed. It’s strange seeing this version of him, almost vulnerable.
“Blake Evans, a father. Who would have thought?” I mutter incredulously, sitting back down, and shaking my head in surprise.
Blake slides into the chair beside me, his jaw tightening as if bracing himself. “People grow up, get married, have kids... it happens.”
“And where’s your wife?” The question slips out, and the table falls silent. Mike shoots me a warning look, but it’s too late.
Blake’s expression shifts, a shadow flickering across his face. “She… passed away. Right after Emma was born.”
The words hit me like a punch. “I didn’t know.”
“No,” he says, his voice quiet but firm. “You wouldn’t. You erased me from your life, remember?”
A moment of tense silence follows.
Memories of Blake’s endless teasing still sting, the worst being the prom night prank that Blake pulled that left me covered in red glitter right before my date arrived.
Once I left for college, I swore him out of my life for good and made Mike promise not to talk to me about him anymore.
Blake was the biggest reason I left New York back then.
Mike clears his throat, bringing me back to the present moment. Eager to steer the conversation to safer ground, he asks, “So, Blake, how’s the team looking this season?”
Blake’s shoulders relax, and a confident grin spreads across his face. “Strong. I think we’re bringing that Cup home this year.”
“I’ll be covering the Infernos this season.” My tone is light, but an edge slips through.
Blake smirks, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Not thrilled about it?”
I cross my arms, holding his gaze. “Just not thrilled about working with my former bully.”
Emma, sipping from her glass of apple juice, looks up at Blake with wide eyes. “What’s a bully, Daddy?”
Blake sighs, scratching the back of his neck. “It’s… someone who isn’t very nice to others. And I wasn’t very nice to Cassie growing up.”
Emma turns to me, brow furrowed. “But you’re not mean to Cassie now, right?”
Blake glances at me with something almost apologetic in his eyes. “Well, we are just now meeting again after a long time. I’ll do my best to be nice to her if she lets me.”
He extends a hand, and I hesitate, taken aback by his sincerity—or maybe it’s just charm. It’s hard to tell with Blake.
Part of me wants to ignore it, but then I look at Emma, watching her father with admiration. His daughter has brought out a new side to him.
Is he being sincere or just putting on a show for his little girl?
I sigh with a shrug, trying to act nonchalant. “Let’s see how it goes.” I shake his hand, still wondering if he really means it.
Just then, a staff member with an earpiece approaches me and gestures toward the stage.
It’s showtime.
I pass my clutch to Mike and glance back at Emma. “You’ll probably be asleep when I’m done, so I’ll just say goodbye now.”
“But I’m not tired!” Emma declares, raising her hands in the air.
I chuckle. “Keep making your dad a better person, okay? It’s almost like he’s human now!”
As I walk away, Blake’s stunned expression almost makes me laugh.
I follow the staff member to the stage, my heels clicking on the polished floor, feeling the anticipation build as I approach the spotlight.
But even as I take my place on the stage, I find my mind wondering.
Did he really mean what he said?
If so, he’s got a long way to go to prove it.