Chapter 23
The next few weeks pass in a whirlwind of travel, games, and unplanned rendezvous with Elliot. Each city brings new challenges, both professionally and personally. As a rink-side reporter, I am starting to find my footing, and strangely, Elliot has become an unintentional mentor in my journey to becoming a better reporter. His help comes in many forms, but the most obvious way is when he intentionally tries to press my buttons or piss me off. Every bit of his attitude makes me want to do better.
The rest of his mentoring is more subtle. After games, during our version of pillow talk, he'll talk about strategies and player mindsets, offering insights that I’ve not considered. With each piece of advice, whether meant to help me or not, I take mental notes to later apply his knowledge to my interviews and reports. I don't notice a difference in my day-to-day work. It isn't until a particularly grueling interview with the Red Wolves's coach, Nolan Wilder, that I realize just how much his tips have influenced my work.
Coach Wilder is in a foul mood after a tough loss, but I manage to steer the conversation toward their upcoming strategies. "What adjustments do you think the team needs to make for the next game?" I ask, channeling Elliot's words.
He looks at me, surprised. He has seen me at my absolute worst, after all. It’s nice to be able to move past that. "That's a good question. We need to focus on our defensive plays and make sure we're supporting our goalie better. It's been a weak spot lately."
My interview with Coach Wilder earns me praise from my producer, who notes how much more insightful my questions have become. Hockey might not mean much to me on a personal level, but it still gives me pride to know that I’m being recognized for my work. This new found pride is laced with irritation. Am I really becoming a better reporter because of Elliot?
Our interactions are competitive, each of us pushing the other to our breaking point. It isn't just in my reporting but also in the way we approach our...arrangement. Each time we meet in a new city, it feels like a game to see who can maintain the upper hand. The tension that comes from our argumentative natures is wild, coating us in a constant undercurrent of rivalry and attraction.
In Boston, after a narrow win for the Red Wolves, Elliot and I find ourselves out with the team. I’ve really started to enjoy hanging out with the rest of the team. All of them have this way of bringing me out of my shell and allowing me to let loose. Elliot has always brought out a different side of me, but now, even he brings out the playful side. Our banter is constant, always pushing each other to break, and that energy always turns sexual. When we finally end up back in his hotel room, the competitive edge translates into passionate intensity, each of us determined to outdo the other. Our desire to outshine one another fuels every touch and every kiss until we are entwined together in a fierce domination of pleasure. The friction between us is a perfect storm, leaving us both breathless and craving more.
"You're getting better at this," Elliot says one night, his voice tinged with amusement as he brushes a strand of hair from my face.
"At what?" I ask, already getting annoyed with him, assuming that he is talking about sex.
"Reporting. Your questions are sharper and more insightful. I've noticed." He says.
I shrug, trying to hide the satisfaction his words bring. "Maybe I'm just really good at my job."
He smirks, leaning in to kiss me. "Maybe. Or maybe you're just finally paying attention."
Despite the banter, there is a kernel of truth in his words. I am paying attention more than I care to admit. And it’s making me a better reporter. Each game, each city, brings new opportunities to hone my skills, and I tackle them with a newfound confidence.
In Chicago, the Red Wolves have another close game. They manage to pull off a win against the Cyclones in the final minutes, and the postgame buzz is evident. I throw myself into my reporting, asking the players pointed questions and capturing the excitement of the victory. As the night winds down, I find myself in a familiar routine, my phone buzzing with a message.
: Room 1452.
Meet me in an hour
I roll my eyes at his usual audacity but can’t ignore the thrill that surges through me. As much as I hate to admit it, these meetings have become something I look forward to. The release he provides helps to keep me focused. There is a rush in the secrecy, the stolen moments between cities, that allows me to concentrate the rest of the time.
I arrive at his hotel room, my heart racing with anticipation. The moment the door closes behind me, he presses me up against the door, lips on mine. We don't waste any time, diving into each other with the same ferocity as each time before. The competition, the challenge—it's all there, driving us both.
My latest travels take me to Denver, and the game is another nail-biter, but the Red Wolves come out on top. I capture every moment of the excitement and celebration, the adrenaline fueling my reporting. When I finally wrap up my interviews, I find the nightly text waiting for me.
: Rooftop bar,
midnight
I smirk, knowing exactly what he has in mind. The rivalry between us extends beyond the rink and reporting—it’s in every aspect of our interactions. When I arrive at the bar, Elliot is already there, nursing a drink and looking out over the city.
"You're late," he says, a teasing glint in his eye.
I roll my eyes, taking the seat next to him. "Had to finish up my work. Unlike some people, I actually have to prepare for my job."
He laughs, the sound low and rich. "Touché. Ready for another round?"
"Always." I say with a smile.
The night passes in a blur of laughter, drinks, and enough sexual tension to drown us. Once the bar shuts down, we go back downstairs to Elliot's hotel room. Our hands grope each other, taking more and more, and giving each other everything we can. The intensity between us is as fierce as ever. We move together with a sense of urgency, each of us determined to work it all out together, one orgasm after another.
As I lie in the bed, trying to catch my breath, I feel a strange sense of contentment. What had started as a risky arrangement is now something I rely on, both professionally and personally. The competition, the rivalry—it is all part of the dynamic that drives us both to be better.
As the days turn into weeks, our arrangement continues. Each city bringing new opportunities, but with it comes a growing sense of respect between us. Our arrangement continues to evolve, pushing the boundaries of our agreement organically. Elliot has become more than just my enemy—he is someone I rely on, even if I won't admit it out loud.