Page 11 of Pucking Only
“Jensen arranged everything with the coach,” Grace continues. “You’re going to get what is essentially a press pass. That is what I have. You will be able to have access to the team on and off the ice.”
“Perfect,” I reply. “I really can’t thank you enough, Grace. Jensen either, but I’m not going to tell him that because I can’t give him the upper hand.”
“The upper hand in what?” she asks with a laugh.
“In who you’re favorite person in the world is,” I explain in a deadpan tone, making her throw her head back in laughter.
We wait for my bags. Once we snatch them off the baggage claim carousel we make our way out of the airport. I’m immediately slapped in the face by the cold, Colorado air and suck in a breath.
“What the hell?” I exclaim. “You didn’t tell me we were in the Arctic Tundra up here!”
Chuckling, Grace rolls her eyes and says, “Oh, calm down. It’s not that bad for February.”
“This is what they mean when they talk about hell freezing over,” I insist.
Laughing, Grace continues leading me to her car, which is parked nearby in the West Garage. After loading my stuff, I climb into the car and she takes off into the Denver traffic.
“You’re going to love it here, Skyler,” Grace says as we merge into traffic. “Denver is a great city. I can’t wait for you to officially meet Jensen again…and the rest of the team. They’re all really great guys.”
I look at her with a wide smile and say, “Oh, how the tables have turned. Did I actually just hear you compliment an entire hockey team?”
She rolls her eyes and lets out a huff. “Oh, bite me. You were right, okay? I was wrong to assume all hockey players were arrogant assholes.”
“I feel like I have stumbled into the Upside Down,” I tease, then add, “I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone.”
She hesitates a moment before adding. “And, of course…there’s Carson.”
My hands clench in my lap at the sound of Carson’s name.
“Ah,Carson,” I sigh. “I was trying to forget that your numbskull brother is here, too. What a joy it will be to see him again.”
Grace chuckles and shakes her head. “As much as I love watching you two go at it and fight like an old married couple, you both need to behave yourselves. I’ve already had a talk with Carson, so he shouldn’t be a jerk to you.”
“Right,” I grumble. “I’m sure that’ll last.”
“Just try not to kill each other, all right?”
I give a firm nod. I don’t want to kill Carson. I don’t actually hate him. In fact, if I had to, I’d probably even claim him as a friend. We’ve known each other long enough. Our whole lives, really. Still, there’s something about Carson that drives me crazy. I can’t seem to keep hold of my temper when I’m around him. He knows how to push all my buttons and he seems to enjoy doing so. It’s not my fault we always end up going for each other’s throats.
“I’ll do my best,” I promise Grace, turning my head to look out my side window. “If he starts it, though…”
“Yes, yes, if he starts it, by all means, wreck him,” Grace says with a grin. “But I think you two will be able to get along a lot easier now that you are both older and more mature.”
I roll my eyes and scoff. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard you say, but I love you, so I’ll forgive you.”
She chuckles and glances at me out of the corner of hereye before she looks straight out the windshield again.“You are both ridiculous, you know that?”
I shrug and sink further into my seat. “He’s ridiculous. I’m a delight, and always right. He should know better than to think otherwise. He should also know that if he crosses me, I will make him eat his own balls.”
She laughs, unbothered by my threat. “Whatever. So, here’s the deal. You’re going to basically have my apartment to yourself. I actually spend most of my nights over at Jensen’s place, which is just across the street. We’ll still spend tons of time together but you’ll have some actual privacy. I hope that’s okay?”
“Yeah, that sounds perfect,” I assure her. “It’ll be good to have some time and space so I can get my work done. Plus, I need my special quiet time to double click my mouse, and it would be awkward with you there.”
Grace shoots me a glance and just ignores my hilarious masturbation joke. “Don’t get me wrong, Sky, I love having you here, but are you sure you want to go through all this trouble for that company? The way they treat you…”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say. “I’m almost where I’ve always wanted to be, Grace. I’m so looking forward to whipping Samuel’s ass and rubbing my victory in his smug, stupid face. Then I’ll be in a position where they’ll have to show me respect and listen to what I have to say. Everything will be different once I get this promotion.”
She frowns. “Are you sure? What if nothing really changes? What if you don’t get the promotion?”