Fuck, they would have tossed me out six years ago when Matthew fucking Grant came waltzing in and stealing my thunder. I was a dumb kid back then. The king of the fucking world, at least in my world. I was the golden kid on the team, the one who led everyone till I was the one who almost brought the team down, with just a stupid game.
Not only did Matthew take my place on the team, he turned the team against me. Okay, I did have a hand in that, but I fucking hated it.
One night, drinking by myself in a bar, this hot blonde walked up to me. Puck Bunny, I knew it a mile away. Fuck, just thinking about it I get sick to my stomach. She brought me back to her room, then latched on to my dick like a jellyfish in the ocean. I gave her Matthew’s name. Fuck, what a fucking mistake. We spent the night banging each other, only for her to wake up and expect a fucking ring. She genuinely looked shocked when I said I don’t do relationships. Her vow to make me regret it should have been my first clue. But how the fuck was I supposed to know she would beat herself up and tell everyone that I raped her? Well, not me but Matthew. The minute the cops came into the locker room, I knew. I had a sick feeling in my gut. I still remember faking sick. I rushed back to my room, got in touch with my lawyer, and together we went down to the police station. Of course by that time, the detectives already knew that Matthew wasn’t the one who was with her. Now it fell on me. They charged me with aggravated assault, rape, and impersonation. It was the single worst mistake of my life. After the dust settled and we found out that she pulled this stunt with at least ten other people, I was dismissed, but my reputation was tarnished and destroyed. I tried to apologize, but no one wanted to hear it. So I did what I do best, I went out there and played my heart out. We won the cup that year. I want to say I helped, but my head wasn’t in there. I hoisted the cup, but Matthew was the one who led the team. I spent the summer with my tail between my legs, licking my wounds and being like woe me.
Until my sister showed up with a black eye.
“What the fuck happened to you?” I asked, my blood boiling, my hands clenching into fists as my body became a stone in front of her.
“He came to my room tonight,” she started talking; she also didn’t need to tell me who he was, as I held up my hand, bile rising up my throat.
“Did he touch you?” I prayed that she said no, prayed to anyone that would have listened to me.
“I fought him,” she whispered as the sob she kept back ripped from her and her knees finally gave out. I ran to her just before she hit the floor.
I laid her down on my couch and I spent another night in jail that time, but it was worth the look of shock when I showed up at my mother’s house and knocked the shit out of my stepfather. While I sat on his dirty, high body as my fists plumaged into his face.
One week later, I was summoned to New York. So I made peace with the fact that my career was over. I told my agent to go through my contract, making sure I wouldn’t end up broke also.
When I walked into the office and Doug was the only one there, I didn’t know what to think.
“Sit down.” He pointed to the couch and not to the chair in front of him. “Give me one reason to keep you?” it should have been a simple question, but it wasn’t. It was a loaded question.
“When my head isn’t up my ass, I’m actually a good hockey player.” I looked at him square in the eye, man to man.
“No, that is where you’re wrong,” he said and the confidence I had left my body like a swoosh, “you’re a fucking great hockey player. But then off the ice, you’re a loose cannon.”
“I know what you’re thinking,” I started, “but this time it really wasn’t my fault.” He looked over, waiting so I did what I didn’t want, I spilled my guts, “My stepfather tried to rape my sister. I couldn’t let him get away with it.” I shook my head as the thoughts came rushing to my head, and then everything else came out.
The little Canadian boy who had nothing but a teacher and an old hockey coach looking out for him.
Then when I thought that he would give me my walking papers, he did the opposite. He made sure that Denise was taken care of and since she graduated a year ahead of schedule, she got accepted at the top medical college. He vowed that no one would know and he kept his word.
She lived with me while she finished high school and then I paid her way to med school. Now she is the best pediatric doctor out there. The only thing is she never leaves her heart at home, so when she loses a patient, her heart goes with them.
Turning off the water, I snap back into the present. One year, I tell myself. One year to play my ass off and secure another contract. It’s a piece of cake. Or is it?
I make myself breakfast while I sit at the island and go through the emails from the team. There is a new PR person who is taking Mindy’s place. I scan the email to see if I need to know this and delete it, not caring who the fuck is taking her place. Maybe this will be good. Mindy fucking hated me. She barely used me and all my photo shoots were on my own.
I read the sports section in the paper and then get myself ready. I make plans with my trainer to meet him after the photo shoot. Getting my black suit out, I shrug my shoulders into it as I put on my black Patek Philippe. I walk out to my SUV downstairs. Getting into my black BMW, I make my way to the arena. The streets aren’t too crowed today and I make it there in record time. Getting out, I see that I missed a call from Denise, but she sent me a text.
You think you can get a couple of your hockey players to come visit the hospital? I keep trying to get in touch with the girl Mindy and she never gets back to me.
I’m texting her back, not looking where I’m going, when I crash into someone. The person’s pink phone lands right in front of my feet. I don’t have time to bend down and grab it for her. Looking up, I see I’ve come face to face with an angel. A cliché, I know, but her face is stunning. She’s a fucking beauty. I take in her long neck because her hair is piled on top of her head. I know with one pull her hair would fall down over her shoulders. Her eyes are covered with her black glasses. I take in her outfit and know within a second she is all class. Which means this one is untouchable, or better yet, not in my league.
I’m about to grab her phone when she snaps at me and walks away. I don’t even know what I did. “Bitch,” I say under my breath and shake my head. Walking in, I shake coaches’ hands and say hi to some of the guys while I try to find out who the new PR girl is so I can ask her about doing a hospital visit. I turn the corner and see Matthew Grant laugh with the girl I met outside and it all clicks into place. She’s fucking Allison Grant, Matthew Grant’s sister and Cooper Stone’s stepdaughter. Not only is she out of my league, she is in the biggest no fly zone if there ever was one. “Hey,” I say, coming face to face with them.
Matthew nods, civil, which is the way we both like it. It’s not a secret we don’t like each other, but I’m not going to waste my energy on him. “Did you meet my sister Allison? She is the new PR girl hired to take Mindy’s place,” he says proudly.
The only thing I can think to say is, “Good to know.” Before I walk away and send Denise a text.
Yeah, looks like the new PR girl isn’t going to do the whole hospital thing.
I put the phone in my pocket, make my way to the locker room, and get into the uniform for the team photo. “One year,” I whisper to myself.
Chapter Three
Allison
“Okay, everyone look over here,” the photographer says, standing on a ladder and taking a picture of the team for the season. Everyone is in uniform, with the captain, which is Matthew, the two assistants, which are Phil and Max, and then the coaches and goalies sitting front and center. I watch them all smile and my eyes drift straight to the one I shouldn’t think twice of. He’s the biggest jerkface I have ever met, and let’s not forget about his shady play when Matthew was arrested. Nope, he is the last thing I need to focus on.
I walk back into the locker room, grabbing the envelopes I prepared to give to the players, e
ven though I emailed all of them. Some are old school and like paper. I place them in each person’s mailbox slot. Everyone has at least some paper in it, but Max’s is the only one empty with nothing lingering. When I hear the herd coming back to the locker room, I wait in the shadows as they all take their designated seat.
“Okay, before we continue, we have a couple of things to address,” Doug says to everyone. “Mindy will no longer be traveling with the team.”
Some whisper, some in shock, while others just start peeling their tapes off.
“She’ll be in charge at the home office, but you should all meet your new girl. Allison,” he says my name and looks around for me.
I step out of the corner and wave my hand at everyone. Some whistle at me while Matthew glares at them.
“Hi, guys, as Doug just said, I’m Allison. I sent you an email with all my contact information. Now I don’t know how many of you got them, but I also put a hard copy in your mailboxes. If there is anything you need, you must let me know.” I look around the room while they almost hang on to my every move, except Max, who is peeling his jersey off, showing me and everyone what is underneath. He’s a work of fucking art. His muscles are so defined you can trace them in the dark with your fingers and know exactly where you are. His chest has no hair on it, but his arms are tatted full sleeves. I try not to focus on it by looking at anything else but that, but my eyes have a mind of their own and swing back to him.
“I’ll also be traveling with you guys, so I need to know if you have any preferences for the hotels we stay at. I know some of you share a room, so if you can please discuss things with each other before coming to me.” I smile at the guys. “It’s not my job to decide who gets the bed by the window. Any questions for me?”
Phil raises his hand.
“Yes?”
“Just so that no one fights over you, are you single and will Matthew be your bodyguard?”
I laugh at him as Matthew shoves him hard to the side.
“Not available.” I nod at them. “So if you guys have anything to discuss, I’ll be in my office.”
I walk out of the room and head down the hallway, past the gym, to my small office with no window. My office is bleak to say the least as it’s the second time I’ve been in here. The walls are stark white, and the brown desk holds my laptop. Tomorrow I’m going to bring in a plant, some pictures, and dress this room up. I’m opening my laptop to make sure I have the travel schedule downloaded so I can make everyone’s travel itinerary.
“Knock, knock, knock.” Matthew is leaning against the doorjamb.
“Mr. Grant.” I lean back in my chair. “What can I do for you?”
“How about you come out and have dinner at my house?” he says. “Kids have asked when you are coming over.”
I smile, thinking of them. “How about a rain check? I need to get unpacked and organized before the travel schedule kicks my ass.”
“Okay, squirt.” He peeks down the hall, making sure no one can hear him. “I swear to God, if any of those fucking chumps pull anything it’s over.”
I sit up straight and glare at him. “I will remind you that I just turned twenty-three. I will also remind you that I went to college without my family breathing down my neck, and what do you know, I survived.” I point at him. “Don’t make me call Karrie,” I threaten him.
“Calm down there.” He stands up straight. “No need to tell anyone anything.” He puts his hands in his pockets. “Besides, I’ve already gotten the talk down from Mom and Karrie, but then Cooper called and it was almost like he was putting a price on someone’s head. He basically threatened to call the commissioner and have all females blocked from doing anything with the players.”
I laugh, thinking about Cooper and his exaggeration on me working with the guys.
“Hello,” Matthew says, bringing me back to now. “You okay?”
“Yes, sorry, I was thinking. Listen, I need to set up some photo shoots. Shoo so I can actually work.”
“Okay, kid, text me when you get home.”
“Not going to happen, Matthew, but I will see you tomorrow,” I tell him. He nods and walks away.
I don’t know how long I’m sitting at my computer going over everyone’s schedule and placing it on the roster. I have everyone’s availability but Max’s. I make a note to email him tomorrow morning with a second request. The reason I ask them all this is so I can do some team promo if they are all free, or at least work around some of them. I only stop working when my stomach grumbles, so I get up, closing my laptop, and putting it in my bag, closing off my light. Looking down, I turn to walk away when I run smack into a hard chest.
“Fuck.” I hear when I feel hands hold my arms. The scent of woods and citrus hits me. “You need to watch where you’re going,” he hisses out and the only thing I see is his white T-shirt. Gone is the suit and in its place is his white T-shirt with his name on it and matching pants.
I stand straight and shake his hands off of me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone else was left.” I look at him, his hair still perfect, but now closer I can see the ink on his arms, ink that makes my hands itch. He doesn’t say anything else but goes the other way to walk around me. “Um, Max, I didn’t get your schedule that I requested.”
He turns around. “I don’t have a schedule, Allison. At least none that should be your concern.” He takes two steps away.
“I don’t give a shit what you think should be my concern. It’s in everyone’s contract. If you want, I can forward you the clause. So if you can stop being a dick for two seconds, just send me the schedule.”
He walks to me slowly, almost like he’s on the prowl. His whole demeanor goes from slouching to standing straight and tall. “I don’t need you to forward me shit. I also know that for the last seven fucking years, Mindy didn’t give a shit where I went or what I did. You schedule shit for me and send me an email. I’ll let you know when and if I’m available or not.”
“That’s not how I work.” I refuse to back down.
“Too bad, princess, it’s how I work. Don’t like it, why don’t you go cry to your brother? Maybe he can fight your battles for you. After all, we all know why you got this job.”
My head goes back as if he slapped my face. “I got this job because I’m qualified for this position. Besides, it takes a princess to battle another princess. So if you’ll excuse me, your highness, send me your fucking schedule or I’ll become the biggest pain in your ass. You’ll send me your schedule years after you’re gone,” I say to him and dart away while he mutters “bitch” again. Not one to give him the excuse twice in one day, I turn around, walking backward. “Takes one to know one.” I wink at him, flipping him the bird this time. I walk out of the building, cursing myself for letting him get the best of me. “Asshole.” I make my way to the sidewalk where my Uber ride picks me up.
When I get home, I make myself something to eat and climb into bed with my laptop and glasses. I flip open the television while I check Facebook and then Instagram. Then I notice I have an email alert.
From: Max Horton
To: Princess Pain In My Ass
Subject: Your Royal Request
Here is what you need.
I’ve shared my calendar with you. Work with that.
Regards,
Princess Max Horton
I smile at his name. I smile that he answered, but most of all I smile because round one goes to me. Bitch.
Chapter Four
Max
I go to the fridge to get myself another bottle of water, pausing the television on Game of Thrones. I don’t even have time to open the bottle before I hear my phone ping.
Making my way to the couch where my laptop is out with my schedule, I see it’s from Allison.
To: Biggest Pain in my ASS
From: Just Allison
Subject: Thank You
Thank you for sending me your royal commitment. I will work around them. Please let me know if you change it at
any time.
Signed,
Allison Grant
AKA Royal Ball Buster
I smile and groan at the same time. Fucking chick is getting under my skin. The last time I saw Allison Grant she was just turning seventeen, with her tight jeans and sassy mouth. Now here she is, older and better. I shake my head, trying my fucking hardest not to have her in my thoughts. No way in fuck does she belong here. Her skin is soft like an angel’s, her blue eyes, untainted, pure. That is the only word that comes to my mind when I think of her.
I don’t bother answering her email. Just leave it alone, I tell myself. Instead, I grab my own computer, going over the things I have planned for this month. A couple of photo shoots with my sponsors. A couple trips to the hospital to volunteer with Denise. I’m about to send my agent an email when I get another one from Allison.
To: New York Stingers
From: Allison Grant
Subject: Public Relations Opportunities.
Hi All,
I will be sharing with you the schedule I have planned for the season. As many of you know, this schedule will or can change according to the team’s needs. I will also be scheduling more meet and greet opportunities as the year progresses. If there are any other opportunities that you think we should be doing, please feel free to let me know and I’ll do my best.
Something So Irresistible Page 2
