Chapter 24 #2
She disconnects, and the two guys chuckle for a moment, then Sam says, “And okay, I’ll apologize on air. I have to say that Astrid Olsen is impressive, and it seems that everything she does, she does well and with a lot of heart. I should’ve assumed that this would be the same.”
“Agreed,” Crew says. “And honestly, Alex is the same. I love seeing him still playing and able to get out there and laugh. His injury was a blow to the entire league. He was really a big part of the pro hockey world. I’m happy for him that he’s found a way to still have hockey be a part of his life. ”
“Okay, everyone, if you’re interested in some hockey with heart just look up Rebel, Louisiana, and the Rebel Revelers and Rascals,” Sam says.
I reach over and hit the stop button. I stare at the phone for a moment. Then I look up at Andi, then Sutton.
“Holy shit.” That’s all I can say.
Sutton nods her head quickly. “I know, right?”
“This is huge for us!” I exclaim.
“It is.”
I turn as Astrid strides into the office. She looks impeccable as always, in a dove-gray pantsuit with purple heels and a purple silk scarf around her neck.
“That was kick ass,” Andi tells her.
“Oh my God, how did you even know they were talking about us?” Sutton asks.
“I was expecting to make that call, but not until after our first game,” Astrid says.
“Sam has his finger on the pulse of all professional sports and players, even ones like Alex. Sam is popular and for the most part I like his show, but I knew that he would have some shit to say about our hockey league and Alex. So once I found out that our videos were going viral from the scrimmage, I tuned in. I’m glad Crew was there. That was just lucky.”
“So this is really big,” I say. “We’re going to get a lot of attention from this.”
Astrid looks at me and gives me the biggest smile I’ve seen from her yet. “We already are. And…change of plans.”
“Which plans?” I ask.
“Remember how I said I wanted to sell three thousand season tickets?”
“Yes. Do you want more?” I am optimistic, for sure, but I don’t want her to get too excited.
“Less,” she says.
“Wait. Less than three thousand?” I ask with a frown.
“Yes. Because I have been getting calls and emails from people begging me to make more single tickets available. They’re saying that either they can’t afford season tickets or they simply can’t take the time to come to all those games, but that they really want to come to as many as they can.
I started thinking about it, and that makes perfect sense.
Let’s get more people in for single games.
That’s more people going back to their communities and jobs and talking about what a fantastic time they had here in Rebel, right?
The ripple effect is even bigger and wider that way. ”
I’m nodding. “Sure. But even if we sell three thousand season tickets, we still have two thousand seats.”
Now her grin is even brighter. “We’ve already sold three thousand four hundred and twenty-eight tickets for the first game.”
I feel my mouth drop open.
Sutton gasps audibly.
“And I’m going to comp several hundred. We need to bring some hockey clubs down from New Orleans. Get some kids in here. They’re going to eat this stuff up. Plus, they all have phones. Which means a lot more videos and social media posts.”
I don’t know what to say. My mind is spinning. “How have we sold that many tickets?”
“Orders have been pouring in since last night. But since the podcast, we’ve had tons more from all over,” Astrid says. “I told you this was going to be big.”
I’m torn between laughing and crying. “Oh my God.”
“And just think what will happen if Alex does something public,” Andi says. “Or…Declan.” She gives Astrid a sly look. “You publicly teased your husband—a big shot in the hockey world—about not understanding hockey with heart.”
Astrid’s smile fades. “I wasn’t teasing.”
“Well, what if he says something publicly about you? Pokes you back? Or defends himself? Or…decides to show up and see what this is all about himself?” Andi looks positively giddy.
“God, that would be juicy. You guys having some kind of little feud about the real meaning of hockey. If he shows up here, social media would explode. Everyone would want to see the two of you together.”
“A lot of people already want to see the two of you together,” Sutton says. “You’re like the biggest mystery celebrity couple ever!”
“We’re not celebrities,” Astrid says with a frown. “Outside of sports, people don’t know who we are, and even outside of gymnastics and hockey, we’re barely recognized.”
“Everyone knows who you are!” Sutton protests. “You were on the cover of like every magazine! You’ve done commercials. Your online following is huge!”
Astrid waves that away. “No one cares about me and Declan bickering.”
“So you are bickering,” Andi says, her eyes dancing.
“Do I need to have you all sign NDAs?” Astrid asks. She looks serious.
Andi and Sutton both straighten. “No,” Sutton says quickly.
“Of course not,” Andi says, sincerely.
“Thank you,” Astrid says. “Then…just between us…yes, Declan and I are bickering. When we talk at all.”
I really want to know more. Really. I wonder what I can get out of Alex? Maybe if I do that thing…
“Oh my God,” Sutton sighs. But her tone is not exuberant, like the rest of us.
I look at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Do you have any idea how much more food we’re going to have to order for the crawfish boil?”
I start laughing. I look at Astrid. “Good thing our owner is so supportive.”
“Oh, let me show you the new ideas I have for merch!” Astrid says, pulling her phone out.
And I sigh happily.
Yes, our owner is spending money on her teams like her husband does on his.
But the money is going for crawfish, ingredients for our signature cocktail at the arena—our twist on the Swamp Water cocktail, of course—and things like stuffed otters and Rougarou.
We’re spending on our fans. On the people of Rebel.
And yes, a part of me would love to know what Declan O’Grady thinks of this.
But I really want to know what Alex thinks of it.