Chapter 5
5
MIRANDA
W ow. First day on the job with these guys and they’ve already proved to be the most interesting group I’ve ever worked with. Coach hired me to work specifically on Duncan’s image, but he’s also paying me to assess all of them on an individual basis and offer feedback on how they can all improve their image while I’m here.
Charlie still held my shoulders, and I worked to keep my hands loose and casual by my sides. I’d already hugged him, showing way too much enthusiasm and emotion.
Patrick glowered from behind Charlie, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from bursting out laughing. He’d not known who I was, that much was obvious from our conversation. I’d used that to my advantage, hoping to get to know him a little better and discover what I’d be dealing with aside from Duncan.
“How’ve you been?” I shot the question at Charlie.
He released my shoulders and stepped back. “Same old. You?”
I shrugged. “Living the dream.” Not exactly true considering all the bullshit with Luther, but no need in getting into all that around the team. No one other than Austin cared about my failure of a love life. I didn’t even have to look at Austin to know he was watching the guys like a hawk to make sure they didn’t try anything. Would he take my advice and let me help him improve his image as a hockey player hotshot? He’d better.
Patrick cleared his throat. “So you’re the one who’s going to get Duncan straightened out?”
“I’m going to try.” I never made promises to the players about their teammates. Been there. Been burned by that. “I can only do so much. Most of the work is up to Duncan. But if he can follow my instructions, then, yeah, I can help.”
“Oh, he’ll do it.” Patrick’s eyes narrowed even quicker than Austin’s.
Charlie nudged me with one elbow, knocking me back a step with the brute force. He paled and righted me with one hand on my back. “Sorry.”
“Been hitting the gym, huh?” I rubbed my arm and pretended to wince. “You’re supposed to be a bully on the ice, not with poor, defenseless girls.”
“Ha.” Charlie’s head snapped back in a laugh that echoed up and down the corridor. “The day you’re poor or defenseless is the day I jump off a bridge and fly off into the sunset.” He caught Patrick staring and jerked his thumb toward me. “Don’t let her fool you. She can knock you on your ass.”
“Damn straight.” Smiling felt good. I hadn’t smiled this much in months. Damn it all if Charlie wasn’t the one to bring it back. It was the reason he needed the least amount of work on his public image. They called him Cheerful Charlie for a reason. His well put together style complemented his strength as a team player, and he’d never made the news for a single scandal. Basically, he was a PR manager’s wet dream.
Too bad being Austin’s best friend put him strictly off limits. I’d harbored a secret crush on him and his sexy Irish accent since the day he showed up beside Austin and introduced himself in high school.
Noise rose behind us as the rest of the team left the locker room. Austin held up one hand and gave a sharp whistle. “Guys, come meet my sister. She’s the interim PR manager for the team. I expect every last one of you to be polite and respectful. Understood?” The iron in his voice stopped the men in their tracks.
Eyes met mine and skipped away. I assessed them in a handful of seconds. These were the B-string players, the bench-warmers. Most of them spent the season looking at the game but not participating. Jealousy might become an issue. I’d have to keep an eye out.
Meanwhile, I had an excuse to spend time with Charlie. The giddiness I’d felt when he walked my way returned when Charlie slung an arm around my waist and spun me around. “It’s good to see you, Miranda.” He smiled and I melted. No one–not even Luther–had ever turned me into putty the way Charlie did when he smiled. It gave off a carelessness that everyone expected from the hockey player, but I’d been around him long enough to recognize the genuine emotion in his crystalline blue eyes. He’d missed me.
“You too.” I wanted to say more, but Austin cut between us and sent Charlie backward with a warning look.
Wouldn’t it be great if I found a man as handsome and kind as Charlie? Too bad the only one in existence is Charlie. Off limits. The warning bell clanged even as Austin scooped me aside and walked us out of the huddle. “All right. You’ve all seen her. You all know the rules. She’ll be around for a while, and I expect complete and utter respect. Got it?” He waited for the nods and affirmations before he walked us up the hallway, through the glass doors, and into the sunshine.
I settled my sunglasses over my eyes and released a tense breath.
“Let’s go eat.” He motioned at his car and pressed the button on the keyfob to unlock the cherry red doors on his custom-wrapped BMW. “Come on. I’ll take you to your favorite steak house, show you around Washington. You’ll need to be familiar with the local scene while you’re here.”
“Sure.” I slid into the leather seat and snapped my seatbelt into place while waiting on Austin.
He talked the whole way to the restaurant, pointing out places he knew I’d like. He warned me off the coffee shops that had the worst coffee and showed me the best place to grab groceries. We chatted about the team in general terms. I wanted my information to come from Duncan and each individual player. Austin understood my technique and didn’t try to influence my thoughts on any of his teammates.
By the time a hostess seated us at a booth and handed us a set of menus, I’d found my new level of happiness and settled in. Luther’s betrayal pained me, but I knew I’d get over it eventually. Being away from New York helped. “Thanks for inviting me out.” I couldn’t remember if I’d said it before.
Austin nodded from behind his menu. “You know I can’t pass up a win-win.” He lowered his menu enough to look over the top. Concern tightened his eyes. “How was it? Meeting Duncan? Do you think you can help?”
I lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “I meant what I said earlier. If he listens to me, we have a chance.”
“And the rest of the team?” He dropped his menu to the table and laced his fingers together on top of it. “How are we looking as a whole and individually?”
“You present as a solid team.” I left it at that. He didn’t need to know about the potential jealousy yet. If I saw it building, I’d warn him. It wasn’t uncommon in a team like Austin’s. I’d read all the files Coach offered me, files that gave me insider knowledge about each player. It helped me understand how they might react and what obstacles might trip them up. It was privileged information that I’d never share. Not even with my brother. “I have a few ideas for you.”
Our water and a basket of bread arrived courtesy of a woman in a black apron. She smiled at each of us. “I’ll be right back to take your order.”
Austin sipped his water, tore a chunk off the bread to dip it into the butter, and shoved it into his mouth. “Like what?”
“Not eating like a barbarian, for one.” I twisted my mouth to the side and shook my head at him when he repeated the action using an even bigger bite.
He talked around the mouthful. “Sorry. Can’t hear you over the deliciousness.” He closed his eyes and swallowed. “Okay. I’m listening now.”
I rolled my eyes, playing into the younger sister role. He enjoyed tormenting me, but he had my back. Always.
He pushed the bread toward me. “How can I improve my image? I need to show the guys, be a role model.”
“You already are.” I held up one finger, and ticked off the items one by one. “You’re respectful in interviews. You’re charming and you don’t pick fights outside the rink. Those are three big ones. You’re also sweet to your followers, even the ones who show up to heckle you.”
“Yeah, that one’s not always easy.” He sat back when the woman approached again.
We rattled off matching orders for steaks, baked potatoes, salad, and a dessert. Austin didn’t bat an eye when I stole the rest of the bread and hoarded it for myself. Once the woman left, he picked up the conversation. “You still think I can be better? How?”
I took my time answering, keeping the list short and succinct. “Keep up the charm. Consider having gifts for the kids who show up to watch you play. You’re the leader during group interviews, and you always manage the questions. Consider giving the others a chance to talk, the ones you can trust not to go off the rails.”
He nodded along with each point. Austin struggled to give up control, and that showed in the interviews. It wasn’t a bad trait, but it sometimes made him come across as egotistical and arrogant. “I’ll work on that. How’s the house situation?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but a shout brought both our heads up.
“There they are.” Three voices chorused together.
Austin sighed. “Should’ve known.”
Patrick, Duncan, and Charlie converged on our table.
Charlie scooted in next to me, followed by Patrick. Duncan took the seat next to Austin and smacked both hands on the table. “Imagine running across the two ‘o you here.”
“Can’t believe we picked the same restaurant as you.” Patrick leaned around Charlie. His lips lifted in a wide smile.
Somehow, I doubted it had been an accident, but I kept my lips pressed tight and watched Austin’s reaction.
“”Let’s have a round to celebrate.” Duncan rose. “My treat.” He darted off to the bar before Austin or I could call him back.
Patrick drummed his fists on the table. “Now it’s a party.”
Charlie’s shoulder pressed into mine, the touch comforting even as it stirred up all the latent feelings I’d been trying to repress.
Duncan carried a tray over to our table and passed out bottles of beer. Seconds later, the same woman who’d taken our order stopped and slid five shots onto the wooden tabletop. “Enjoy.”
Toasting each of us with the beer, Duncan downed his shot and chased it with the frothy brew. “Come on, drink up.” He used one finger to slide my shot closer, then did the same with Austin.
The quiet dinner Austin planned evaporated with that first drink. His voice deepened, the Irish brogue sparking something in my middle when he launched into a story about a game he’d played the year before in Ireland. “You shoulda seen it. Best moment of my life.” He took Austin’s shot and gulped it down, slamming the glass on the table.
I understood how he’d gotten himself in trouble. His high energy outlook on life mixed with the party atmosphere. Throw in the simmering anger burning hot behind his eyes and he was a powder keg one wrong look away from blowing.