Puck Drop_Utah Fury

by Brittney Mulliner

  “There’s a team blog?”

  He nodded again. “Yeah, the fans love it. Chloe writes funny stories and behind the scenes stuff that doesn’t make it onto the social media accounts.”

  “And she wrote something bad about me?”

  He shrugged. “It’s not necessarily bad. She just wrote about her first impression of you.”

  Which wasn’t great.

  “So, all the fans already hate me?”

  He laughed and patted my shoulder. “I doubt your jersey will sell out on opening night.”

  A whistle sounded, and I’d never been happier to start practice. Running drills would be the perfect thing to keep my mind occupied.

  I felt the eyes of the rest of the team on me for the next hour. Any time Erik was near me, he shoved me. So, I was wrong about him leaving problems at the door.

  It was grueling, and all I wanted to do was get away.

  Practice was finally called, and I didn’t waste a second getting off the ice and into the locker room first. I wanted to shower and get home without having to talk to anyone else.

  My plan didn’t make it. The hoots and mocking started as soon as my shower did. I ignored it.

  Hartman was sitting in front of my locker when I went back to undress. “Come on. What’d you do?”

  I ignored him and grabbed my clothes. I took one step before he grabbed my elbow. “I don’t like there being contention on the team this early in the season. We haven’t even had a game yet and there’s issues. So, tell me, what did you do?”

  He wasn’t asking me as a friend like he had before. This was my captain asking.

  “She offered to show me around town and I told her no thanks.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Were you polite?”

  “I think so.”

  He stood so we were eye to eye. “She wouldn’t have gotten upset about that, Murray. You had to have done something else.”

  I shrugged. “That’s the only thing I can think of.”

  “Chloe is like a sister to me, to most of us. If you have a problem with her or you hurt her you’ll end up having issues with all of us.”

  I understood his threat and gave a quick nod. He dropped his hand. “You need to fix this.”

  “How? Are you telling me to go out with her? I thought that would be the thing to cause issues, that’s why I turned her down.”

  “You’re pretty quick to assume that she was asking you out.” He was talking down to me like a child.

  “Why else would she be asking me?”

  He smirked. “You’re a cocky little idiot, aren’t you?”

  I wanted to be insulted, but it was more of a joke to himself.

  “She offers every guy that joins the team the same thing. Usually she takes them all out together. If you pulled your head out of your skate, you would have heard the rookies and the other trades talking about it at practice today.”

  And just like that I was the team joke. “I didn’t know.”

  “Obviously.” He shook his head. “Chloe is an amazing person and there is nothing more important to her than the success of her brother and the team.”

  I nodded. I wasn’t used to having anyone like that. Most people that hung around my last team were angling for personal gain. A person like Chloe was unheard of.

  “I’ll apologize.”

  “Good. Now hurry and get dressed. She’s waiting to talk to all of us.”

  “She’s here?”

  “Yup, we need to get to the meeting room.”

  I got dressed in record time and joined the rest of the guys just before Chloe walked in. She smiled at everyone, but it slipped the moment her eyes met mine. It lasted a fraction of a second, but it was long enough to make me feel like a complete jerk.

  “As most of you know, we host a fundraiser the weekend before the first game.” She paused as a few of the guys groaned. She shot them a look but smiled and continued. “This Saturday night is the gala. It’s black tie, so please make sure your tux is dry cleaned and tailored.” She scanned the team, stopping and giving pointed looks at a few of the guys. They must be routine offenders.

  “This is a big night for the community, the team, and the Fury Foundation. We raised three hundred and five thousand last year, so let’s try to beat that. Which means you all need be on your best behavior. Smile, talk, be gracious hosts.”

  She scanned the group with a small smile. “Any questions?”

  There were a few grumbles, but no one said anything. I raised my hand then felt stupid, so I spoke up. “Can you tell us new guys what the foundation does?”

  She smiled, and it lit up her whole face. “Yes, of course. The Fury Foundation helps with the community. When it was founded, the board couldn’t agree on one cause to focus on, so they decided to spread out the funds throughout the community by improving parks, funding shelters, providing supplies and food. Charities in the area reach out with their needs and we do our best to fulfill them.”

  I was surprised with how passionate she was when talking about it. She loved this foundation. Coach stepped forward and excused us while hanging back to talk to Chloe. I remained in my chair and waited for everyone to file out of the room. Soon, it was just me and Chloe.

  I stood and walked to the front of the room and waited as she gathered her things. When she turned and saw me waiting she hesitated, but finally pasted on a smile. “Hi, Reese, what can I do for you?”

  “I wanted to apologize about before. I…” I blew out a breath and rubbed my hand through my hair. “I didn’t know it was something you do for all the new guys.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “You thought I was asking you out?”

  Why did she have to make it seem like such a ridiculous possibility? “Yeah, I did.”

  She tilted her face up toward me and smirked. “I’m sorry I gave you the wrong impression, Reese. I should have clarified that it was a group thing. I don’t date players.”

  I fought to not react to her words. She just shot me down.

  “Of course. Well, I’m sorry again about what I said, and for anything else I’ve done wrong already.”

  She couldn’t have known that I already knew about the bio she wrote, but I hoped she knew I was being sincere.

  “I appreciate it, Reese. I have to go.” She left the room, and I watched her walk to the elevator.

  She let me off too easily. Either she didn’t believe me or she didn’t care, but if she didn’t care she wouldn’t have taken it out on my bio. I had to do something to get her to see I wasn’t the gruff guy she thought I was. Second chances were hard to get, but I was going to make it happen.

  I hurried down the hall and into the parking garage. Erik’s car was gone, but Olli and Hartman were standing in front of the cars talking. I walked over as their conversation ended.

  Olli noticed me first. “Hey, Murray.”

  “Hi, guys. I…umm…I need to fix something.”

  Hartman nodded. He wasn’t gloating but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t come later. “What do you need?”

  “Can you tell me something I can get Chloe to apologize?”

  Olli laughed. “You can’t buy her forgiveness. She’s not that type.”

  “Unlike, Sasha.” Hartman laughed.

  Olli nodded. “Porter is a lucky man. One call to his jeweler and he’s out of the dog house.”

  Great. They were both zero help.

  I turned to leave, but Hartman stopped me. “She’s been talking nonstop about some show that’s coming to town. I guess it’s impossible to get tickets to. If you can manage that, I think she’d forgive you for just about anything.”

  That sounded like something I could handle. “What show?”

  He shrugged. “The really popular one? People are always talking about it.”

  He looked to Olli who nodded. “The one about the founding fathers. Emma and I saw it in New York last year and Chloe’s been dying to see it.”

  “Thanks, guys.”

  I turned
and walked to my car. If I was back home I knew exactly who I could call to get tickets. I had friends there, connections. I didn’t have the slightest idea of where to start here.

  Once I was in my car I scrolled through my phone for my assistant, Bryce. I rarely asked him for things like this. I didn’t even have him move out here. He could manage things from Boston, and I didn’t want to make him uproot his life.

  “Hey, Reese.”

  “Bryce, I need a favor.”

  “That’s a first.”

  No kidding. “I need tickets to a show here.”

  He laughed. “And what do you expect me to do?”

  “Figure it out.” I snapped and instantly regretted it. He didn’t deserve me taking out my frustration on him.

  “Dude, calm down. Text me the show and dates that work and I’ll see what I can do.”

  I took a breath. “Thanks. I owe you.”

  “Yes, more than you could ever repay me for.”

  I hung up and sent him the information. Hopefully he would come through for me. I needed to get on Chloe’s good side for the sake of the team.

  Chapter Seven

  Chloe

  I’d tripled checked everything. My team of assistants and interns were on top of it. Tonight would be fine. No. It would be perfect. I told myself these things over and over on my drive back to my house to get ready for the gala.

  “Are you serious?” I was running around, making calls, and generally freaking out all day while Erik was sitting on the couch wearing sweatpants watching TV.

  He tore his eyes off the screen long enough to glance at me. “What?”

  “You need to get ready. I told you we need to leave at five.” I checked the clock. Less than an hour to get ready and he was sitting on the couch.

  “It will take me less than fifteen minutes. Chill out.”

  He wasn’t wrong, but his calmness was irritating.

  “Sorry that I’ve been working my butt off all day, no, all month, organizing this event and I’m a little stressed out.”

  He turned off the TV and flung the remote on the couch. “You did this to yourself. You asked to be the head of the charity board.”

  It was true, but that wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “Just go get ready, please.”

  He wandered into his room at a pace that irritated me, but I kept my mouth shut. He was doing it on purpose and I wasn’t going to be baited today. Sometimes, living with my brother wasn’t worth the headaches he caused.

  My dress was hanging in my closet waiting for me. I checked the clock while pulling half of my hair into a bun on top of my head. No time to wash and dry. Second-day hair would have to do.

  “Are you done yet?” I peeked out of my bathroom as Erik let himself into my room and flung himself on my bed, landing on his back.

  “Don’t lay down! Your tux will wrinkle.” I would have gone over and pulled him off, but my hair was attached to a curling iron.

  “I’ll be fine. Are you almost done?”

  My hair was half curled and I was standing in my robe, but at least my makeup was finished. “Give me ten minutes.”

  He rolled to his side to face me. “You have five.”

  I wrapped a new section of hair and waited for it to get hot to the touch. If I hadn’t thrown myself into this mess, I could have been getting pampered by a team. Oh no. I had to go and ask to be in charge of the events.

  It was the position I really wanted, rather than social media, but the front office didn’t think it was a fulltime position. I was determined to get them to see it was, but I was digging my grave by having everything go smoothly. I’d convince them things would be better and we’d get more donations if I could dedicate my attention to this alone.

  “Three minutes.”

  “Stop it!” I ran my fingers through the curls to soften them then sprayed an obscene amount of hairspray to keep everything in place.

  I pulled the dress off its hanger and shut the bathroom door to change. I’d gone with a black evening gown with a high neckline to please Erik. I’d shown him when I got home from the store a few weeks ago and he approved. What he hadn’t seen was the thigh-high slit in the front and the plunging keyhole below the neckline.

  It was sexy without screaming any body parts in your face.

  I slipped on my heels, touched up my lipstick, and stepped into my room. Erik looked up from his phone and groaned.

  “You didn’t show me that dress.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Next time, I’m making you take it out of the bag.”

  I smirked and waltzed past him. “Let’s go.”

  We made it on time, just a few cars back in line. I’d wanted to rent a limo, or at least have a driver for the evening, but Erik refused to let anyone else drive his Lamborghini Centenario. Not even me. Not that I’d ever want to be responsible for it. I could work every day for the rest of my life at my current job and not have enough to buy it. No thanks.

  It was also the one thing in the world, besides me and hockey, that he loved.

  The valet motioned us forward, but when he held up his hand for us to stop, Erik laughed and drove past him to park the car himself next to the Mercedes, Ferraris, and Rolls Royces of the other players. Apparently, none of the guys wanted someone else touching their babies.

  Erik got out first and immediately the snap of dozens of cameras greeted him. He walked around the car and opened my door, and the paparazzi followed. I stepped away so he could pose for a few seconds next to his car before taking his elbow and moving him to the red carpet.

  Rich people loved walking on red carpets. If it were up to the team they’d meet at the Pie and each write a check with a few zeros at the end to avoid nights like these, but management loved the publicity the team got.

  Erik and I posed our way down the line until I heard calls for solo shots of him. Finally, I could get into the event. I was going crazy not knowing how things were going.

  “Sorry.” He broke away and hit his normal poses while the camera flashes when crazy.

  I smiled as I entered the ballroom. Everything looked great. I spotted my assistant, Kristen, and made my way to her.

  “Any fires?”

  She shook her head. “Everything is fine, like I told you it would be.”

  I scanned the room. The food was stocked. Waiters were walking around with drinks and hor d'oeuvres.

  “Did you remind security to check the lists? I don’t want anyone getting in that shouldn’t.”

  She gave me a condescending look. “Yes, Chloe.”

  “I’m serious. I can’t handle throwing people out tonight.”

  “Chloe, we have this under control. Go enjoy yourself and schmooze the guests. We need donations.” She winked and turned, leaving me alone.

  She was right. I was here for one purpose tonight. Get donations for the Fury Foundation. I straightened my shoulders and plastered on my hostess smile and roamed the room, smiling and greeting the guests.

  My studying had paid off and I was able to greet everyone by name, and even remembered a few children and grandchildren’s names just to suck up a bit more. People loved being remembered, and it was my job to make each of them feel like the most important person in the room. Sure, most of them were here to rub elbows with the players so they could brag at their next golf or bridge game with their buddies, but I could tell it impressed them when I remembered our conversations from months or years before.

  It wasn’t much of a skill as it was practice.

  When I got back home tonight I’d go straight to my laptop to write down discussion points in each person’s folder. Oh yes. There were folders.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Huntsmen, so lovely to see you.” I air kissed each of them and rambled on about their dogs: Fluffy, Klutzy, and Muttsy. They were an adorable elderly couple that donated generously every year and were rink side season ticket holders. They claimed watching hockey kept them young, and I couldn’t argue that. They were the
healthiest eighty-year-olds I’d ever met.

  “Chloe, darling, I hear we have some new blood this season. How are our boys looking?” Mr. Huntsmen was looking around the room. “I have a considerable amount tied to them winning another championship.”

  I covered my mouth to hide my smile and leaned in. “They’re looking really good. We stole Boston’s secret weapon.”

  He leaned back with wide eyes. “Reese Murray is here? I’d heard the rumor.”

  He must not read the blog. Probably for the best.

  I looked around and spotted Reese not too far away. I waited until he turned in my direction and gave a small wave. He looked hesitant but walked over.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Huntsmen, I’d like to introduce you to the newest Fury, Reese Murray. Reese, Mr. and Mrs. Huntsmen are some of our biggest fans. They come to every home game, so you’ll get used to seeing them sitting in the front of section one-eleven.”

  Reese turned on his charm like a switch. I watched as he won over their hearts in less than a minute.

  “Is your jersey in the team store, dear?” Mrs. Huntsmen had already developed a solid crush. Erik would be so disappointed to lose his biggest fan.

  “I believe it is.” Reese looked to me and I nodded.

  “All of the new players’ jerseys are available, but I’ll have one of Reese’s waiting on your seat on opening night.”

  Mrs. Huntsmen’s face lit up just like I knew it would. “Oh, Chloe, you spoil us.”

  I leaned in and winked. “I have to. You two are my favorites.”

  “Oh!” They laughed together like children before spotting another player they wanted to chat with.

  Reese watched them walk away before turning to me. “You were really good with them.”

  I tugged at my hair once before realizing what I was doing and dropped my arms to my side. “It’s my job.”

  He smiled, and my knees melted. He shouldn’t be allowed to do that in public. If Mrs. Huntsmen had seen that she would have gone into cardiac arrest.

  “I thought your job was to write inaccurate player bios.”

  I fought the urge to cross my arms, or even laugh. I would not get defensive, even if he did have a point. I may have written the post out of embarrassment, but I wasn’t about to admit that to him.