70. Grant
SEVENTY
GRANT
FEbrUARY, ONE SEASON AGO
Puck Kings
Easy E
G-Money at the All-Star game!
He’s all grown up.
Connor
Make us proud, Grant!
Mavvy
Can’t wait to celebrate when you get home, dude!
Sully
There’s no reason this chat should be starting at five in the morning when we’re on a week-long break.
I don’t want to answer anyone before noon.
Easy E
Back to bed for you, grandpa.
Me
Thanks for the love, guys! Just got to San Diego. Nicer weather than DC.
Sully
No one asked for a meteorology report, Everett.
Mitchy
Send pictures, Grant!
Connor
Please don’t replace us with anyone from Boston.
Easy E
FUCK BOSTON.
Me
I got a cool badge. I’m official lol.
I’ll be back with updates and photos later!!
Sully
The longer, the better.
Me
I love you too, Goalie Daddy.
Me
Let me know when you get to San Diego!
AG
I just landed!
Me
How was the flight?
AG
I’ve had worse! Glad to be on the ground.
Me
Good. I miss you.
I’m saying that now because I know we’re both going to be busy this weekend.
AG
I miss you too. Are you going to the welcome party tonight?
Me
Yeah. I figured it would be good to network.
Hopefully I don’t get drafted last for the game on Saturday!
AG
There’s no way you will. You’re one of the best players out there this year.
Me
Talk about an ego boost. Thanks, Lia.
Are YOU going to the welcome party tonight?
AG
I’m going to stop by!
Me
Best news I’ve heard all day. Can’t wait to see you!
“Grant Everett.” The blond next to me at the bar sticks out his hand with a smile. “I’m Tommy Deplasis. I drafted you for the game on Saturday.”
“Hey, man. Thanks for doing that.” I shake his hand and return his grin. “You’re in New York, right? Congratulations on all the fan votes.”
“The Big Apple loves sports.” He laughs and gets the attention of the bartender, ordering a seltzer water with lime. “You want anything?”
“I’m fine.” I hold up my glass and show off the whiskey I’ve been nursing for the last hour. “Thanks for the offer.”
“Pretty sure buying drinks is part of the captain role, right?” He takes his glass from the bartender and drops a twenty in the tip jar. “How’s the season going so far?”
“Can’t complain.” I take a sip of my drink and lean against the bar. “We’re in a solid position before the playoffs start.”
“Better than us. Our coach is on the way out, and I say good riddance.” Tommy snorts. “Are you watching the Skills event tomorrow night?”
“I’m going to try. I have some sponsorship obligations I need to fulfill, and I thought I’d have more time to relax this weekend.
” I chuckle. My attention catches on the bar entrance, and I stand up straight when Amelia walks inside.
I throw back the rest of my drink and set it on the counter.
“Nice chatting with you, dude. I’m going to do a lap. ”
“No worries.” Tommy clasps my shoulder. “See you at practice tomorrow.”
Amelia stops to talk with different people, smiling and laughing and being effortlessly charismatic.
I watch her, my eyes sweeping over the black dress she’s wearing, and I can’t help but stare at the thin straps that show off her shoulders.
The fabric hugs her torso before fanning out at her waist, and the wind gets knocked out of me when she tosses her hair over her shoulder to show off her neck and the jewelry she has on tonight.
I wait my turn, lingering near a corner and pretending to check my phone while she finishes a conversation.
“Am I interrupting?” she asks, sliding next to me with a wine glass in her hand.
“Never.” I smile, aware of the lack of privacy we have. “Nice to see you, Amelia.”
“And you, Everett.” She takes a long sip of her drink. “You clean up well.”
“Look who’s talking. You’re so goddamn beautiful, I’m about to go into cardiac arrest.” I drop my voice until it’s barely above a whisper. “My palms are sweating.”
“Guess that means the dress was worth it.” Amelia steps closer. “Are you having a good night?”
“Better now. How about you? Seems like everyone is vying for your attention.”
“And you’re the only person I want to give it to.” She cranes her neck, waving to someone across the bar. “But I’m going to leave and make you watch my ass when I walk away. Think you’re going to survive?”
“Not a chance. I’m too busy daydreaming about bending you over a hotel bed and fucking you from behind.” My hand skims along the small of her back. The touch is barely there, but she still shivers. “Your curves might be the thing that does me in.”
“You’re funny.” Amelia moves forward and glances at me over her shoulder. She lifts an eyebrow then licks away the drop of wine caught on her bottom lip. “Don’t miss me too much, Everett.”
I put a hand over my chest and hold back a groan.
I am going to miss her, and I’m goddamn certain a weekend of hockey and Amelia is going to be the death of me.
I have no time to relax on Friday.
After breakfast, I’m whisked away for interviews and photoshoots with some of my favorite brands. Microphones are shoved in my face. My hair gets brushed. I pose next to Alice Berkshire, the PWHL phenom, in my DC jersey to show off an eco-friendly line of watches.
I shake a lot of hands. I meet new people whose names I won’t remember. I go through a practice with my team for the weekend, and by the time the Skills event rolls around, I’m exhausted from the socializing.
So much so, I think I’m hallucinating.
I rub my eyes and stare at the row of seats near the glass, confused when I drop in an empty chair and find Brody Saunders with a notebook open on his lap.
“Uh.” I squint in his direction. There’s a pen stuck in the brim of his backward hat, and I push my finger into his bicep. “Are you real?”
“Hello, Everett,” he draws out, not bothering to turn my way.
“I didn’t know you were in San Diego,” I say.
“Surprise.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Working.” Coach pulls the pen from his hat and uncaps it with his teeth. He jots down a couple of notes, attention unwavering from the rookie who plays for Phoenix. “What are you doing here?”
“Working too, I guess? I was going to watch the Skills event, but now I’m not sure if I should be—”
“Hey, Brody.” Amelia drops in the seat on Coach’s right and stares out at the ice. “Everett.”
“Hi Am—Coach Green. Hang on. You two hang out?” I rub my forehead. “Am I in an alternate universe?”
“We don’t hang out.” Coach makes another note then finally looks at me. “I’m doing research, and Amelia is offering me her opinion on the Baltimore players participating tonight.”
“Research?” I ask. “Are we looking to make a trade? Fuck. Am I being traded?”
Amelia disguises her laugh as a cough. “You haven’t told your guys what’s going on?”
“They don’t need access to my personal life,” Coach mumbles.
“Pretty sure that went out the window when you fell in love with my sister, dude.”
“Fine.” He closes his notebook and folds his hands over the front.
“The league let me know I’m a frontrunner to be the head coach for the men’s team at the Olympics next year.
Your darling sister told me it would be smart to make an appearance this weekend so the commissioner knows I’m taking the possibility seriously.
Figured I’d work on hypothetical rosters while I’m here. ”
“Holy shit, Coach. That’s amazing!” I give him a hug he doesn’t reciprocate. “Congratulations.”
“It’s not a sure thing. Just a maybe.” Coach sighs. “But thanks, Everett. I appreciate it.”
“Think Everett will make the Olympic team?” Amelia asks.
“Whoa. Hey. You don’t need to have that conversation when I’m around.” I hold up my hands. “I’m happy with my role in DC, and while it’s a dream of mine, I’m not—”
“Yes. He’s versatile and can play both left and right winger.” Coach caps his pen and stands. “If you’ll excuse me, I have the unfortunate task of talking to people I don’t like.” His eyes narrow when he looks down at me. “Are you doing anything that would get you in trouble, Everett?”
“What? No. Nope. No way. I’m planning on watching a couple of skaters then going back to my room.” My ears turn red, and Amelia laughing at me isn’t helping my case. “Perfectly normal. Nothing to worry about.”
Coach leaves with a grunt, and I blow out a sigh of relief. Amelia scoots into his vacant seat and drops her elbow on her thigh.
“What kind of trouble does he think you’re getting into?” she asks.
“Saunders had to deal with Maverick before our captain fell in love with Emmy. I’m afraid to know some of the things he’s seen.” I shudder and toss her a grin. “But he doesn’t have to worry about me. I’m a perfect angel.”
“Do you feel like not being a perfect angel?”
“That depends.” I lean close. It’s subtle enough for people to think we’re having a casual conversation, but I hear the hitch in her breathing. I see her squeeze her thighs together. “What did you have in mind?”
“We could head to your room after the first round.” She crosses her legs, and I do my best not to stare at her black tights. “Or we could watch hockey all night.”
“M-my room,” I stammer. “Let’s do that.”
“Good answer.” Amelia gestures to the ice where the first player is starting his challenge. “Pay attention to the event, Grant. They say patience is a virtue.”