Never Date A Hockey Player (Breakouts & Baddies #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter

One

Roxie

“You can’t fire me!” The booming voice of the Narwhals’ former head coach boomed out of the conference room. Something hit the wall but Jeremiah Kingsford stared at him looking unamused.

The owner of the North Crossing Narwhals was going full scorched Earth.

It was an absolute power move to conduct these meetings in a glass lined conference room that did little to filter out the screams of protest.

This was the third firing in twenty minutes. The first two were quiet, the resigned alphas walking out, boxes in hand and heads hung low.

Clearly, this one was not going to go out the same way.

The secretary and I shared a look as a coffee mug shattered and Jeremiah finally tapped the phone in front of him.

Less than a minute later, two beefy alpha security guards were stalking in. They wrestled the coach out, dragging the flailing alpha between them.

“You’ll hear from my lawyer!” he seethed but not one person listened to his complaints.

If I wrote a gossip magazine this would be juicy as hell. I had a feeling that was why Jeremiah Kingsford called me in today of all days. He wanted me to see that he was taking this seriously.

When he’d first called me I thought it was a joke. No one offers the kind of money he did for a job like this.

We’d gone back and forth with the contract a few times with revisions, but eventually settled on set terms.

The team was getting a full overhaul at the moment.

Not surprising after the scandal between the three main players of the Narwhals’ first line and their ex, Lana Flynn.

She was now the nutritionist over with the Westgrave Wardens but those assholes packed up with her for years, neglecting her, only using her for her status as the AHA's princess.

I’d helped her tell her story, and it did not leave them in a positive light.

Abandoning your omega in heat and nearly killing her in the process would do that to a reputation.

I wasn’t sorry to see their firing aired publicly. They had breached a conduct clause in their contract and deserved everything that was coming for them.

Jeremiah stepped out of the room and looked completely unfazed. I truly wished that one day I could reach that level of unbothered.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Crane. But I wanted you to know we are serious about improving the team. That starts with the staff and players that enabled that sort of behavior.”

“It’s been quite the show,” I mused as I stood to greet him.

“This is just the beginning,” he said as he waved for me to follow. I fell into step beside him. Nearly everyone we passed was a mix of terrified and curious. Likely wondering who I was and which of them might be next.

“Did you find replacements for the team rosters?” I questioned as we turned into his office. It was the same one he brought me to when we had our initial meeting.

He’d been so confident and straightforward that I knew this was the kind of offer you didn’t say no to.

“We have. The team is in a bit of turmoil and there are quite a few staff and players that are uneasy. I don’t think it would help to have you start right away.

Frankly, they need time to get their shit together.

You’ll still receive the advance we discussed as soon as we sign those tax papers today.

My goal is to have you here in one month.

Let’s give everyone time to become a team while winter break comes to an end and have you join us after. ”

“That gives me time to find a place here in North Crossing and get my teams prepared for an extended absence,” I said, letting out a relieved breath.

“Remember to send us the information for your rent and we’ll handle payment,” he promised easily. “I’m going to hand you over to my assistant for all the paperwork and you have my contact information if anything comes up. Never be afraid to reach out. I appreciate your efforts here, Miss Crane.”

“Thank you. I look forward to working with you and your team, Mr. Kingsford,” I said, holding out my hand. He shook it and offered a smile before calling his assistant in.

I spent the next few hours signing all the contracts and tax documents that he needed. Along with several NDAs, of course, which was a tricky one to navigate back and forth thanks to the fact that I had to use information in my articles.

Once they assured me that it was down to things like plays and information that could be used by other teams against them, it made a lot more sense.

Honestly, I was glad that they were protecting their players the way they were. It told me that the team and its leaders, or at least the owner, were taking what happened seriously and making sure that the Narwhals survived the scandal.

Hockey fans were fairly insane as a whole. Even though I’d spent most of my life avoiding anything to do with hockey, I was now right in the middle of it all.

Here in North Crossing, it was everyone’s favorite obsession. Parents stuck their kids in training as early as they possibly could and every single omega sought out packs that were destined for teams.

After my father abandoned my mother for the sport, I couldn’t stomach giving it any of my attention. I’ve stood by that for years. Yet here I was, signing my soul away to the devil for more zeros than my bank account had ever seen.

This was the kind of exposure that would make sure that The Gathering Place got the recognition it deserved. I could finally expand in ways I’d wanted to for years.

The fact that I didn’t have to lie to do it was the only reason I was taking this job on. I wasn’t going to ruin my name for this money, but I could at least offer some unbiased journalism and give them a chance to redeem themselves by putting in the actual work.

By the time I’d signed everything I needed, they handed me a card with my name printed on the front. Jeremiah promised it would cover my rent, utilities, and living expenses.

My head was aching but there was still so much to do. First, I needed a break and caffeine in the worst way.

Of course, the moment I stepped outside, my phone started ringing. My groan turned into a smile as I saw my mother’s name on the screen. I swear she had a radar for these things.

I hadn’t exactly been truthful and I’d been avoiding her, unsure how to approach this conversation.

She was having none of that.

“Hey, Mom,” I said as I answered the phone.

“Oh, look who it is—my lost daughter,” she snarked. “Did I do something to offend my only child?”

“Of course not, Mom,” I snorted out a laugh, rubbing at my temples. “Things have just been busy.”

“Things are always busy with you, sweetheart. That doesn’t mean we ignore our family.”

“You’re right, you’re right,” I agreed. It would be pointless to argue.

Then her mom-spidey-senses must’ve been going off. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I need to tell you something,” I admitted.

“You’re pregnant?” she gasped.

The fact that she sounded happy about it had me rolling my eyes. “No, Mom. I’m not even packed up.”

“I think we both know more than most that being in a pack doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant.”

I couldn’t argue with that logic. My very existence was explanation enough.

“Mom,” I breathed out, just going for it. “I got a journalism gig today.”

“Oh? You’re taking time away from your forum?” Now she was in protective-mom mode. We were hitting all the sides of my mother in one conversation. “Is that wise?”

“For the amount of money I was offered for this job, it is. It means I might actually be able to expand.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” she said. “I need more information. I can’t properly support you if you don’t tell me everything.”

I laughed, because we both knew that was not a requirement.

“You’re just a gossip,” I accused.

My eyes landed on a café up ahead, and I immediately headed that way. Caffeine was exactly what I needed after my morning, though then again, my morning wasn’t quite as bad as the people who just got fired.

I couldn’t find any remorse for them. They had to have seen what their players were portraying. How did no one question where Lana was through any of it?

As much as I was about to dedicate my life to hockey games for the foreseeable future, that didn’t mean I trusted the players themselves. They’d have to earn it the same as anyone else.

“Well, who is this job with that has you all elusive?" she demanded. I should have known she’d sniff it out like a hound.

There was no point in putting it off any longer.

“The North Crossing Narwhals,” I admitted, bracing myself for her reaction. She was quiet so long I almost thought the call dropped.

“I thought my daughter swore off hockey,” she said carefully.

It wasn’t accusatory. My mother was far too eloquent for that. She was always the type to make sure I formed my own opinions.

“I did. But, Mom, this is a life-changing type of job, and I wrote it into the contract that I wouldn’t be anything but truthful. So, if they expose themselves, they expose themselves…” I trailed off.

She let out an evil cackle. “And we both know they’re going to expose themselves.”

“Most likely. But I’m a journalist. I’m going to give the world the facts, whether I agree with them or not. So, if they truly have changed, then more power to them.”

“Miracles can happen,” she said. Then it clicked. “Wait. North Crossing?” she demanded.

“Yes. Which means temporarily moving.” We lived together and always have, which meant her being on her own for months on end. Yet another thing bothering me.

“Well, I guess I don’t have to turn down that business trip my boss was offering,” she said.

“Mom, why would you turn down a business trip for me anyway?” I practically shouted.

“Maybe I just don’t trust my daughter to be able to take care of herself sometimes,” she shot back, unfazed. “Despite raising her right.”

“Oh, the mom guilt,” I groaned.

She just cackled in true Olivia Crane fashion.

“So, what’s the trip for?” I asked, ready to talk about her over myself.

“Well, you know we got a new consulting partner at the firm?” she asked, her voice lighting up as she talked.