Puck Drop_Utah Fury

by Brittney Mulliner

  I followed him to the elevator and remained silent on the way up to our home. Maybe it was a twin thing, or maybe it was the result of spending your whole life with someone, but I’d learned when to push Erik to talk and when to accept that he needed to be in his head.

  He was a leader. He would find a way to fix things with Reese and work with him. He had to.

  I watched him disappear down the hall and into his room. He’d figure things out and hopefully be back to himself tomorrow. I went to the kitchen and made some tea before grabbing my laptop and heading to my room. I wanted to go through the practice pictures from today and send George the photos I wanted to use so he would have them edited tomorrow.

  I scrolled through, starring the ones I liked until I found one of Reese. The determination in his eyes was almost scary. He had the puck and was about to hit it. He wasn’t looking down at it though, he was looking straight ahead. His control and confidence were evident.

  This was how I wanted to introduce him to our fans. I wanted them to get behind him and make him feel welcome to a new city. Erik had never been traded, but I’d seen enough guys come through that I knew feeling accepted was important. Very few of the guys would ever admit to it aloud, but I could see their countenance change the second the crowd chanted their name. They needed to know that their new city believed in them, and it was my job to market them to the fans and get them to adore the players before they ever see them. By opening night of the season, I would have the crowds chanting Reese’s name.

  Chapter Four

  Reese

  I was tense walking into the locker room the next day, but Hartman immediately slapped my back and a few of the guys greeted me. I put on my pads and skates and followed the guys out to the ice. I could tell Erik was still mad about what I said at dinner, but to his credit, he didn’t take it out on me. He didn’t ignore my calls for passes. He didn’t even slam me into a wall when he had the chance. I gained a bit of respect for him. Any player that can leave the problems at the door deserves that.

  Coach Rust worked us hard, and when the final whistle blew, I was ready to collapse. I was amazed the guys could take these practices without being too sore to play come game day. I’d have to up my game or invest in an ice maker to keep my bathtub filled.

  “Murray.” Ah there it was.

  I stopped in the tunnel and waited for Erik to catch up to me. I turned to face him when he was at my side.

  “You upset Chloe last night.”

  I fought to keep the smirk off my lips. He was talking like a mobster. I was waiting for him to say I had a meeting with his cousin Vinny off Pier Thirteen.

  He glared at me. “I don’t appreciate the way you spoke to her.”

  As if I was one with the problem.

  I took a step closer. He didn’t intimidate me the way he thought he did. “I don’t appreciate how you take advantage of her.”

  His eyes narrowed to slits. “You don’t know anything about us.”

  I clenched my fist but forced myself to relax. Punching a teammate wouldn’t be a great way to start my time on the team.

  “I know that you expect her to do everything for you. You don’t lift a hand when she’s around. A good relationship is about respect, and I can tell you don’t respect her.”

  Erik got in my face. Like he was about to lose it too. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Hartman stepped between us then, forcing us apart. “Guys. You both need to relax.”

  “He crossed a line.” Erik jabbed a finger at my chest.

  Hartman held his hands up before I could protest. “Look. You’re both in the wrong.” He looked to me. “You can’t come into a new group, a new team, and make assumptions.” He turned to Erik. “You need to relax, and maybe you could try to do something for Chloe every so often.”

  Erik was about to speak, but Hartman stopped him.

  “Now kiss and make up.”

  I rolled my eyes, but he looked at each of us waiting expectantly.

  Erik didn’t seem like he was the type to make the first move, and I didn’t want to stand here any longer than necessarily. The showers were screaming my name.

  I swallowed and took a slow breath. There was no point in creating a rivalry. We needed to work together. It was his business. If Chloe put up with it, that was on her.

  “Erik, I’m sorry that I made assumptions about how you treat Chloe. You guys are right. I’m new here and I don’t know your relationship. I’ll apologize to Chloe as well.”

  Hartman nodded his approval, and Erik seemed to think for a moment before nodding. “I’m sorry for getting angry at you. You’re right.” He glanced at Hartman before continuing. “I should be more appreciative of Chloe. She does a lot for me. She always has. I guess I’ve just gotten too used to it.”

  “I’m glad things are cleared up. Now hit the showers. You guys stink.”

  I didn’t need to be told that again. Within twenty minutes, I was clean and on my way up to the front office.

  I smiled at the woman at the front desk and walked past her with confidence, so she wouldn’t stop me. I had no idea where I was going, but I figured the chances were low an office employee would stop a player from wandering around.

  “Hey.” I ignored the call behind me, hoping they weren’t talking to me. “Murray.”

  I turned to see Mr. Snow, the general manager, walking toward me.

  “Hello, sir. How are you?” I’d only met him briefly at the press conference announcing my trade. I’d been jet lagged and still fuming about leaving my home, so I wasn’t sure I’d made the best impression. Mr. Snow didn’t seem to mind though.

  “I’m great! How are you settling in? Are the coaches taking good care of you? Is there anything that you need?”

  “No, sir. I’ve been well taken care of.”

  His enthusiasm was a tad over the top. If I were a diva like some of my old teammates, I’d take advantage of his generosity and make ridiculous demands, but that wasn’t my style. I preferred to be low maintenance. I found that it helped me get what I really wanted, when it counted.

  Well, up until I got traded.

  “I’m glad to hear it, Murray. If there’s ever anything.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  I sidestepped him and looked around for Chloe. I almost walked past her office, but her voice caught my attention.

  “No, the report was due by noon. You know this. It’s a weekly thing, Craig.”

  I glanced into the office, and since she was on the phone, she didn’t notice me until I knocked on the open door. She glanced up and looked confused. She waved me in and hung up her call.

  “Hi, Reese.”

  “Hey.”

  She smiled at me, looking uncertain. “What can I do for you?”

  I looked around her office, which was decorated in hockey memorabilia. There were a few signed posters. One of Gretzky, Orr, and even Crosby. The majority though was only one player—Erik Schultz.

  She had pictures of him from PEEWEE, high school, and college.

  “I talked to Erik after practice.”

  She cringed.

  “He made some valid points. We uh…we worked things out, but I felt like I owed you an apology too.”

  She eyes shot up in surprise. “You really don’t have to—”

  “No, I do. I made assumptions about your relationship. I jumped to conclusions rather than getting to know either of you. I’m obviously way behind and I’m trying to get to know the dynamics on the team. I just should have learned more about the situation before butting in.”

  She smiled and folded her hands on her desk. “Honestly, it was sweet. I’ve taken care of Erik our whole lives. I think sometimes he forgets I’m his sister, not his mom.”

  “Sorry for the whole girlfriend thing, too.”

  She laughed. “Did someone tell you something else?”

  I rubbed my jaw. “Not directly. I guess, I assumed it.”

  “You’re p
retty bad at making assumptions.”

  I nodded slowly. It had never been a problem in the past, but even since getting here it was one thing after another. Maybe it was just Chloe. She was affecting me.

  “I’m sorry.”

  She shook her head and smiled. “No need. It’s not like Erik or I clarified that for you. I just thought that Hartman would have given you the rundown on the team.”

  “He kind of did. Well, with the guys.”

  “Sometimes I forget that I’m not one of them.” She winked. “I’m usually treated like one.”

  “I don’t think I could ever do that.” I hadn’t meant to be so honest, but something about her big brown eyes pulled words from my mouth.

  Watching her cheeks turn red was worth it though. I’d embarrass myself every day for the rest of my life to see that.

  She cleared her throat and looked away. “How are you liking things here?”

  I shrugged. “It’s been fine.”

  “Not home, though?”

  I shook my head. “Not yet.”

  “Well, I’ve been here for a while. If you ever want me to show you around…”

  Her voice trailed off as my brain went into overdrive. She was being polite. She worked for the team. She was just doing her job.

  “Oh.” It would be a terrible idea. She was Erik’s sister, and he wasn’t my number one fan. Going out with her would only make things between us worse. That was the last thing the team needed. It was the last thing I needed to do when I was trying to find my place. Hockey always came first. No matter how gorgeous the offer was. “I don’t think so.”

  “Oh.” The shock in her voice threw me off. She expected me to accept the offer? Didn’t she see how bad that would make things for me? For the team?

  “I just don’t want to—”

  She held up her hands. “You don’t have to explain. I get it.”

  I doubted she did.

  “I should get going.” I stood up, and she didn’t stop me. “I’m sorry again, about yesterday.”

  She was biting her lip when I turned back at the doorway. On the way to the elevator I sighed and dodged any other office employees.

  I hated leaving her there thinking the worst. She didn’t get that she was automatically off limits. Maybe if Erik and I got along, I could get his permission, but right now I needed to prove myself to him as a teammate. Getting personal would come later.

  Chapter Five

  Chloe

  What just happened?

  That was humiliating.

  We’d had a moment. We were laughing. Smiling. How had I read it so wrong? It’s not like I asked him out. I was offering to show him around the city. I’d offered to do it for every guy who joined the team. Granted, Erik was usually with me. I’d never been shut down though.

  I turned to my computer and opened the page on the blog where I’d written his welcome post. Our fans loved the honest, yet comical voice I wrote these with. I wanted each player to become real to them. I wanted them to feel like they knew them as a person rather than just jerseys.

  This time, I was going to be brutally honest.

  Reese Murray comes to the Utah Fury from the Boston Sailors after six years with the team. He was a top draft pick of 2012 and joined the NHL at just eighteen years old. He’s won one championship and hopes to win another with the Fury.

  I stared at the screen. This was the basic information I provided for all trades. Now was the time to get personal.

  While we’re excited to have his talent join our team this season, we’re left wanting. All the talent in the world won’t make up for his personality. He’s somber. He’s evasive. Maybe he left his personality in Boston. He’s gruff, abrasive, and judgmental. He’s not getting along with the team because he isn’t trying. Maybe he’s still butthurt about the trade, or maybe he’s just a brooding jerk.

  The jury is still out.

  I hit publish before I could change my mind.

  The fans deserved to know the truth. I could sugarcoat it all day long, but what was the point? People would see the truth as soon as they saw him at events, signings, and on the ice. He wasn’t trying. It was like he was going through the motions on autopilot. It was a privilege to be on this team. He needed to pull his head out of wherever he shoved it and realize that.

  I was willing to give people second chances. Especially under his circumstances. He’d been traded without warning. I couldn’t image what Erik, or I, would do in that situation. Erik would be pissed. Something would end up broken.

  I could forgive the scene at The Pie. I could move past it and accept his apology, but why did he turn around and reject me? I was trying to be helpful. Extend the olive branch. Shutting me down before I could even explain was borderline insulting.

  He deserved what I wrote.

  As soon as he proved he was different from my first and second impression of him, I’d change it.

  “Chloe.” My boss, Mr. Truman, bellowed my name from his office.

  How had he already read it? I smoothed my skirt when I stood and walked to the office next to mine. “Yes, Mr. Truman?” I smiled as innocently as I could.

  “Take it down.”

  “What?” Always, always plead ignorance.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Take down his bio.”

  “It was completely accurate.” I stood my ground, refusing to let him intimidate me.

  “Maybe to you, after a bad experience, but you wrote him in a horrible light. You’re supposed to support him. He’s on our team, Chloe.” The vein in the center of his forehead was pulsing. I’d only seen that happen once before. The person that caused it no longer worked here.

  “I’m leaving it up until he proves me wrong.”

  “Chloe.” He used his exasperated voice. I’d heard it a hundred times before. It was a tool he tried to use on me. I knew better.

  “Dale.”

  He dropped his head into his hands, massaging his temples. “This is not going to make management happy.”

  As if he cared. The general manager and owners loved me. I’m sure in the small chance that they read the bio I wrote that they wouldn’t care.

  “Dale, it will be fine. I’ll write a retraction once he proves he deserves it. I’ve always been honest, and the fans know that.”

  He continued rubbing. “I’m not going to change your mind.”

  “Nope.” I popped my lips.

  “You’re going to drive me to an early grave.” I turned and walked away before he could change his mind. “Survived four kids and this is what kills me.”

  I laughed to myself and returned to my desk. I had more important things to work on than player bios. Mine weren’t even the official ones for the team site. They were just on the blog.

  People would move on. I had to focus on the first team event.

  Sales had been great for the past four seasons, especially with two championships, but awareness could always be improved. The city needed to know that that team was dedicated to improving what they could and being advocates. The first event was a charity dinner. It was black tie and cost one thousand dollars a plate. It was more of a glorified photo opportunity and a way for the rich in the area to rub elbows with their favorite athletes.

  The guys hated it, but they were good sports about it. The one night brought in over three hundred grand with the cost per guest plus donations. It was a big deal for the team, and the Fury foundation, and this year’s event was in three days.

  I needed to call each vendor and confirm they would be on time. Plus, I needed to get each player to confirm they would be there. There were always a few that put up a fight, and I needed to get them on board so they had time to get a tux.

  A few hours later and I’d made my way through the list and took a breath. Everything was going according to plan. It took a few years, but I’d finally developed a plan to make these events run smoothly.

  “Have a good night, Chloe.” I looked up to see Kristen, my assistant, standing in
my doorway.

  “Is it that time already?” I checked my clock and groaned. It was already seven. I needed to get down to the locker room before everyone left.

  She laughed. “Yes, Chloe. It’s time to stop for the day.”

  I nodded and shut my laptop. I tended to work long hours simply because I lost track of time. If it weren’t for Kristen and Erik reminding me to eat, sleep, and take breaks I’d never leave my office.

  “Okay, have a good night.”

  Kristen nodded and walked toward the elevator. Erik hadn’t texted me yet, so they must still be in practice. I gathered my things and headed down to the ice. This way no one could get away without me reminding them about the event.

  Chapter Six

  Reese

  We were taking a quick break between flow exercises the following day and I took the time to down an entire bottle of water. A few of the guys were surrounding Dumphy, a defensive man, and he was reading something from his phone. They broke out in laughter and all turned to me at the same time. I turned to look around, but I was standing by myself. Hartman slid down the bench until he was next to me.

  “What’d you do?”

  I shook my head. “No idea.”

  He looked back at the group. “No recent arrests?”

  “Nope.” I tossed my empty bottle in my bag.

  “Any embarrassing hookups lately?”

  Ha. As if I had the time. “No.”

  Hartman stood and skated over to the group. Dumphy handed over his phone and after a moment Hartman’s laughter reached me. Great.

  He handed the phone back and came back over. “You’re not going to like this, dude.”

  Probably not, at least if the laughter was any indication.

  “What’d you do to piss off Chloe?”

  I shrugged. “Nothing.”

  He nodded slowly. “Apparently, you did, and she wrote about it on the team blog.”