Chapter 19 Joelle
JOELLE
My alarm goes off at six A.M., but I'm already awake.
Have been for an hour. It's my first day and the jitters have kicked in. I need to move. Burn off this nervous energy before I get to work. I roll out of bed and pull on my running leggings, sports bra, and long-sleeve top as it’s cold out there, lace up my trainers, and grab my headphones.
The apartment is quiet, Collette's still asleep.
I slip out, my eyes landing on Emmett's door before heading downstairs and hitting the pavement.
The city is alive even though most people are just waking up.
Crisp, cool morning air fills my lungs as I run.
The seasons have changed, fall is starting to hit the city.
One block. Two. Three. My mind races faster than my feet.
Yesterday. His apartment. His couch. His hands.
I run harder. My body remembers everything.
The way he touched me. The way I fell apart for him.
I push myself. Faster. Harder. Until my lungs burn and my legs ache and I can't think about anything except breathing.
By the time I get back to the apartment, I'm drenched in sweat. Gasping for air, but calmer.
Collette's in the kitchen, still in her pajamas, and I can smell the coffee brewing. "Are you okay?" she asks, looking at me.
"Needed to run." I gasp.
"Glad you didn't ask me." She chuckles. "Nervous?"
I nod. "Terrified. You know what it's like. First day on the job. Everything is overwhelming."
She pours me coffee and hands it to me. "You're going to be amazing. Plus, you have me, Pierre, and Felix there, too. And ..."
"Don't you dare say it," I warn her, glaring over the top of my coffee mug.
"What? I was going to say you've met some of the team already.
" She smirks. That is not at all what she was going to say.
"Everything is going to be okay. I'll walk in with you, but then I have to dash to a meeting.
It won't be that scary. On my first day, I was so scared.
The drama between Pierre and Kitty was still high.
Pierre making me work with the team a non-negotiable in his contract really put some noses out.
But eventually, after time, I won them over with my dazzling skills.
" I had no idea she had such a hard time. She never told me about it.
"Well, I'm glad I've got you. Thanks, Lettie."
"That's what sisters are for. Now go shower. You smell." I flip her off.
A while later, I'm dressed in black leggings, a fitted Mavericks polo that Collette brought home, hair in a sleek ponytail, minimal makeup, and a Mavericks fleece jacket. My work outfit is boring compared to Collette, who is dressed nicely, but we are doing two totally different jobs.
"Ready?" she asks.
"Yep." I nod.
We grab our bags and head out together. Again, my eyes are drawn to Emmett's apartment.
I wonder if he is still sleeping. Has he already gone to training?
Did he sleep at all after yesterday? Is he thinking about me?
Stop. You are going to drive yourself insane.
You're supposed to not be thinking about him.
We take the elevator down, greet some of the people who get in, then step outside.
Thankfully, the training facility is only a fifteen-minute walk from the apartment, which is going to suck in winter with all the snow.
"Let's go," Collette says brightly.
We briskly walk along the New York streets with everyone else going to work.
The looming buildings overhead, the taxis honking, the sound of people talking, the street sellers, and people rushing to the subway.
The hustle and bustle of a New York morning is not much different to my normal commute in London.
The training facility looms ahead. You've got this. We walk through the main entrance together, and I check in at the desk to get my badge from security. Collette talks to them like they are long-lost friends, chattering away.
"Good luck. I have to run. I have a meeting this morning," Collette says. "You've got this. And remember, if you need me, text me."
"I will. Thanks for walking me."
She hugs me, quickly and tightly, then heads toward the media wing.
I stand there, badge in hand, heart pounding.
First day, time to prove I belong here. I follow the signs toward the medical wing, the smells of antiseptic and athletes filter through the halls.
It's familiar, almost comforting, instantly putting me at ease.
I round a corner and run into a man who looks familiar.
"You must be Joelle." A man in his fifties extends his hand. I take it and shake. Salt and pepper hair, kind eyes, athletic build, he looks like he used to play. "I'm Mike. Head physio. We spoke on the phone."
That's right. "Nice to meet you."
"I was just on my way to find you. Hoping you weren't about to get lost in the rabbit warren that it is." He smiles.
"I followed the signs."
"There you go. Not many do. So, you're off to a good start. Well, welcome to the Mavericks."
"Thank you. I'm excited to be here."
"Walk with me." He starts walking down the corridors. "Look, your brothers have nothing but great things to say about you."
"They are biased."
He chuckles. "Maybe. But your references aren't. You got high praise from a lot of people." His compliment starts to wash away my nerves.
We continue to chat as he walks me through the treatment rooms. All are equipped with massage tables. Ultrasound machines. Exercise equipment. He then shows me where supplies are kept. The ice machine. The tape dispensary.
"Two other physios work here. Sarah and David.
Both are on their way in. On game day, we usually have a late start as we are here all night.
You'll meet them soon." I nod, taking it all in, committing everything to memory.
"Today's just about getting familiar," Mike says.
"Game days are always busy. But since it's your first day with us, I want you to observe.
Get a feel for how we operate. No pressure. "
"Sounds good."
He hands me a tablet. "Player injury reports. Current issues. Things to watch for." I take it, and the screen lights up. A list of names pops up, including my brothers’.
"The guys are skating in about an hour. It’s their morning skate before tonight's game. I'd like you to watch and start putting faces to names, getting a sense of how they move. Some of them you already know, of course." He smiles.
Huh? Panic rushes through me. He's talking about your brothers. Of course he is. "Perfect," I say.
"Read through that to familiarize yourself, then head down to the rink. You can sit front row, get up close with them." He leaves me alone in the treatment room.
I sit, open the tablet, and start scrolling through.
Fish - shoulder soreness, needs regular maintenance.
Bouch - ankle, previous sprain, watch for swelling.
Nelly - tight hip flexors, requires daily stretching.
Pierre St. Pierre - knee, old injury from juniors, monitor closely.
Felix St. Pierre - general wear and tear, reckless playing style.
I keep scrolling.
Emmett Black - no current injuries, but his shoulder gives him problems every now and then.
My finger hovers over his name as I stare at it longer than I should. Stop. I close the tablet and set it down, taking a breath. The door opens, and a woman around my age walks in. She's gorgeous, blonde ponytail, wide bright smile. "Hey there. You must be Joelle. I'm Sarah."
"Hi. Nice to meet you."
"Welcome to the chaos. Game days are insane, which I'm sure you are aware of. But you'll get used to it."
"It's nice being able to work in a room instead of on the side of the field," I joke.
This makes her smile. "What sport was it?"
"Rugby. It's like your football but with no gear."
Her eyes widen. "They don't wear gear?"
I nod. "It's brutal. I guess it's like hockey without the blades and protection."
"Wow. I bet they kept you busy."
"Yeah. There was always a lot of work on the guys because of how physically demanding it is. I know hockey is just as bad after growing up with my brothers' injuries."
She sets her bag down and starts prepping a treatment table. "Yeah. I bet. Must be awesome having two of the greatest hockey players as your brothers."
"What they have achieved is beyond anything we had dreamed for them. But I honestly forget who they are. Especially since I've been in London for most of their success."
"I can imagine. I bet London was exciting."
"Love London."
"The English accent is so sexy." She swoons.
"It can be. Depends on the guy." I smirk.
"So true. Are you single?" she asks.
I nod.
"Well, be careful because the players are great guys, but they are also very charming."
She doesn't have to tell me twice. "Don't worry. I have no interest in hockey players."
"Oh, I don't care if you do." She smiles. "They are hot. But I know Emmett has strict rules for the team. Do not date a teammate's sibling and do not date the staff."
"It kind of says that in the contract."
"Oh yeah. But they are lax about it to an extent. You need to tell HR if there is something going on. And as long as they are aware, you are good," she explains.
"Do people generally date the players?" I ask.
"Not that I know of. I only joined end of last season."
We talk for a while longer, she's easy to get along with, friendly, welcoming.
Then Mike sticks his head in. "Joelle, they're about to start the morning skate. You ready?"
My stomach flips. "Ready."