Chapter 13 Zhuri
thirteen
Zhuri
There isn’t anything quite like the feeling of getting back on the ice after the offseason.
Our offseason wasn’t long—the Dragons and Lizards both played until May this season when our playoff runs ended—but when you’re basically born to skate, being away from the ice just feels wrong.
My entire life, the ice rink has been where I’ve felt most at home. I can let go of whatever is on my mind and just be.
It’s absolutely freeing.
That’s enough for me to not worry at all about how the first practice as the Comets will go.
“Welcome to your first practice, Colorado Comets!” Marissa shouts, gathering our attention as she and Nils lean back against the boards.
“The ladies know me already, but for everyone else, I’m Marissa Leverson, and I’m going to be your Head Coach.
Clearly, yes, I’m not a man, but that means shit in comparison to what I can help this team achieve.
I’m young as far as coaches go—forty-two—but I know what I’m doing.
I won two WHL titles when I played for the Seattle Supers, and I think the caliber of players we have here right now can lead us to a Stanley Cup in this new NHL. ”
Nils speaks up now. “Men, I know you know me as your Head Coach from the Lizards, but make no mistake; I’m not in charge here. Coach Leverson is who we will all be answering to, and I expect every single one of you to respect that and her.”
I hear some minor grumbling—probably from Michael—but everyone mostly just nods in agreement.
“Zhuri Hart and Cameron Kovacic,” Marissa says now, “will be your co-captains this season. Most of the other teams in the league will be doing the same thing—having a man and a woman as co-captains while we all work to get adjusted to working together. Our hope is to have a single captain and one or two associate captains starting next season.”
“Lev and Avery…” Nils looks right at them.
“Tyler Ward will be your Goalie Coach this season. You can both go meet with him now.” They both nod and skate off toward the goal on the other side of the rink, where Tyler is waiting for them.
“The rest of you are going to be working with Marissa and me.”
Marissa stands up straight, fanning her curly brown hair over her shoulder.
“We’re working on drills today. Coach Balstad and I have been talking about potential lines for this upcoming season, but we’re not committing to anything until we get a fresh look at where everyone’s skills are.
Sticks down and meet us at the blue line. We’re starting with sprinting drills.”
She blows into her whistle, and that has us snap to attention. We all skate over to the blue line, getting into position to sprint down the ice.
And we do… for the next twenty minutes straight.
We’re all dripping with sweat by the time Marissa moves us on to stick handling and then shooting, taking shots against Lev and Avery.
We practically collapse into the locker room after practice, desperately in need of showers since we all smell as bad as a full, defrosted freezer after a power outage.
Once I’ve rid my body of all the accumulated sweat, I towel myself off before getting dressed in a pair of athletic shorts and a tank top.
“I think I’m dying,” Isla groans, plopping down on the seat in front of her locker space.
Bet laughs from the other side of me. “Oh my God, Icy. You’re fine.”
“Speak for yourself, Almr.”
“We’ve got a long season ahead,” I state. “Practice was exhausting today, but I think we have a real shot at an incredible season. The exhaustion will be worth the payoff.”
Aili laughs across the room before speaking in her thick Finnish accent. “Our daily dose of positivity from our favorite captain.”
“Co-captain,” I correct her. I’m starting to think none of our teammates will ever get used to calling Cameron and me co-captains.
“Well, Ms. Co-captain,” Marissa teases as she walks into the locker room. “Got a few minutes?”
“Yeah. What’s up, Coach Leverson?”
“Sean wants to talk to you in his office,” she says, holding the door open for me.
The girls still in the room ooh like I’m walking to the principal’s office after I did something wrong before we all start laughing.
I follow Marissa down the hall to Sean’s office. When she knocks, he beckons me inside, and Marissa leaves me alone, apparently not part of whatever this is.
I step inside the office, and I’m surprised when I find my agent Melanie, Cameron, and a man I assume to be his agent waiting for me.
“Thanks for coming down, Zhuri,” Sean says happily. “I’m not involved in this so much as I’m facilitating the meeting since it involves my two star players.”
“I’m… confused,” I reply, taking a seat between Melanie and Cameron, who seems to be as lost as I am right now.
“Melanie and I will fill you in,” the man next to Cameron says. “I’m Patrick, Mr. Kovacic’s agent.”
“Patrick,” Cameron huffs. “I know I’ve told you to stop that ‘Mr. Kovacic’ shit.”
I let out a light laugh as Melanie jumps in. “Patrick and I have both been in talks with a couple of different brands.”
Cameron raises an eyebrow questioningly. “About…?”
“Endorsement deals,” Patrick smiles.
“That’s great,” I state honestly. “But why are we meeting together?”
Melanie grins. “Because these brands are interested in running campaigns with both of you together. There’s no denying that you two were the biggest names in the men’s and women’s leagues before. Having you both on the same team now has everyone excited.”
“What brands?” I ask.
“Axis Athletic Co.,” Patrick answers.
“That’s huge,” Cameron hums. “I know they did a campaign with Knox Spencer of the New York Stars a few years ago.”
“That’s baseball, right?”
“Yes, Zhuri,” he chuckles. “The Stars are baseball. Wouldn’t be surprised if they take the World Series this year, especially with Spencer on the mound.”
“Didn’t realize you were a baseball fan.”
“My stepdad is. He follows the Wildcats here in Denver.”
“Anyway,” Melanie cuts in, redirecting our attention back to the conversation at hand. “Axis is the first brand, but the other brand is something entirely different.”
“Are we promoting, like, sex toys or something?” Cameron asks, and I howl with laughter.
“Cameron!” I’m struggling to speak between fits of giggles. “There’s no way we’re getting asked to promote sex toys.”
“You never know,” he shrugs, acting like that would be a totally normal ask for two well-known athletes.
“No, Cameron.” Melanie bites down a smile. “As far as I know, Rana Dagon doesn’t have anything to do with sex toys.”
I whip my head over to my agent, my hand gripping her arm. “Shut up! Rana Dagon wants to do an endorsement deal with us?”
“She does,” Patrick grins. “She’s apparently a big sports fan and thinks you two would make incredible models for her winter campaign.”
Cameron looks confused. “Axis I get; that’s athletic wear. But Rana Dagon designs formalwear. Why does she want us for that?”
Sean jumps in now. “As the owner of the teams you both played for, I’m well-versed in the comments the teams would get on social media, mostly thanks to Sadie and her penchant for trying to be an influencer.
Believe me, if you saw the way fans talked about the two of you, you’d understand exactly why Rana Dagon wants you as models. ”
“This is insane,” I mutter in disbelief.
Melanie tamps down a grin. “I think Zhuri is interested.”
“What do you think, Cameron?” Patrick asks.
“Yeah,” he smiles. “They both seem great.”
“Perfect!” Melanie chimes. “I have the paperwork here. If you both sign, Patrick and I will work to get everything set up for the photoshoots.”
Cameron and I both take turns looking through the paperwork and signing where needed.
This feels kind of like a dream.
Two endorsement deals. One with the largest athletic wear company, the other with one of the most sought-after fashion designers.
I’m excited about the opportunity for myself, but I’m even more excited about the potential ramifications of it.
Young girls will see me in these campaigns, and they’ll understand that they can do just as much as the boys can. They’ll keep playing their sports, more determined than ever to prove how much they’re worth.
Young black girls will see me and realize they have just as much value as everyone else. That they can make it no matter the color of their skin.
I literally cannot think of a better thing to be seen for.