Page 16 of Drop Pass

“Nice to meet you, Elena. You’ve done a great job so far.”

I appreciated that more than he knew. “Thank you. Hopefully things go well out there.”

I looked out to the grey skies and shuddered. I was going to freeze. I could just tell. As a weather woman people expected me to always know how to dress for the day, but I was one of the worst when it came to that. I always wore what I wanted and suffered the consequences later.

Now I was really going to pay for it.

At least I would look cute.

“Come on. The van is ready.” Jas led me to the passenger door and opened it. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” I got in as Mike got behind the wheel and Jas took the chair next to the equipment in the back.

“It’s about forty-five minutes, but hopefully we’ll beat traffic this morning,” Mike said as we pulled out.

“Sally said the freeway was clear southbound,” Jas confirmed what the traffic report had said just before we left. “We’ll be fine.”

I nodded and let them lead the conversation. I wondered who would be there from the team. Hopefully some of the guys I knew. It would be even better if some of the girls were there too. I could almost guarantee Chloe would be since she directed their marketing and the team blog. She was all about being involved in their actives. At least there would be one familiar face.

6

Nikolay

“Fisher, Murray, Malkin, McCann, Kozlov, Brassard, and Aston. You’re heading down to film a promo for the news. The van is waiting in the garage. Take your gear.” Coach Rust called into the locker room before nodding once and leaving.

I looked to Fisher who shrugged.

“You don’t know what this is?”

He shook his head. “I haven’t heard anything.”

“The lake froze over, so we’re filming you guys on the ice.” Chloe Murray stood in the doorway like it wasn’t completely inappropriate for her to be in our locker room. I’d learned pretty quickly she didn’t have boundaries. She went where she wanted and did whatever she needed to, and no one ever questioned her.

“The Salt Lake?” Malkin asked with a skeptical tone.

“No, Utah Lake.” She clarified. “Let’s go.”

She turned and I picked up my gear bag and followed the group out. We filed into a large van with the team logo plastered on the side. I ignored most of the conversation on the drive down. I came in today for practice, not to do some dumb promo. The team didn’t need a spot on the local news. Everyone knew who we were. Even the people who paid zero attention to the sports news knew us. We were the back to back champions. Our faces covered billboards and buses. Was this really necessary? Hopefully, the publicity could be used to help my citizenship case.

As we pulled up to the edge of the lake, I spotted the goal net already set up. There was a navy news van with SLBC written across the side parked next to us.

Fisher opened the sliding door and we piled out. Chloe took charge and led us to the rocky area that bordered the lake.

“Okay guys, we’re going to film some three on three shots then Elena will interview a few of you. We’re excited about how well the season is going and are asking for donations for the local food banks for the holidays.” She looked to Brassard. “You’ll give all the details.” She handed him a piece of paper and he nodded.

“Sounds good.” He read over it then tucked it into his bag.

“Hi guys. Thanks, so much for coming.” I turned to the sound of Elena’s voice. She looked cold. Beautiful, but cold.

Her nose was bright red and her cheeks were tinted pink. She was wearing a long coat that looked like it was for fashion purposes only.

The guys each said their hellos, but I just watched her. She was bouncing on her toes and had her arms tucked tightly against her. She was freezing. Of course, she was. She’d lived in LA and this was her first day on the job. She probably thought she’d be in an office all day.

The thought of my sisters being in this situation made me frown. I wouldn’t want them to be out here freezing.

I shrugged out of my goose down jacket and approached her. “Here, take this.”

She looked up at me with her eyebrows pulled together. “Oh no. I’m fine.”