Page 48 of Home of the Brave

“As much as I’m enjoying this awkward discussion, unfortunately, it’s frowned upon to fraternize with athletes as a sports journalist.”

Erik sulked. “Why?’

“Professionalism?” she replied.

“Boo,” he waved her off. “If any of us listened to that, none of us would be married.”

“I think that says more about our team than her job,” Amelia smiled. “Fortunately, the coaches and front office don’t get involved as long as it doesn't affect their performance.”

“Then they do get very involved," Erik muttered.

“So you’ve never dated an athlete?” Derek prodded, and I pretended like I wasn’t anxiously waiting for her answer.

It didn’t matter.

Her romantic history was none of my business and didn’t affect me in the least.

So why did I care?

“Not since college,” she admitted. “And even then, I tended to stay away from hockey players.”

“Why?” Hartman sounded wounded. “What’s wrong with us?”

“I played,” she explained. “On––”

“You did?” I asked before she could continue.

She nodded. “Yeah, center.”

“That’s how you know the women's teams so well,” Erik connected before I could.

She grinned. "Yeah, women's hockey is a small world. I either played with or against most of them for years.”

“Why didn’t you continue to play?” he prodded.

She glanced down at the table, and I knew the answer before she spoke. “Injury.”

Derek blew out a breath. “It’s a terrible way to go out.”

“Says the man who benefited from it,” Erik smirked, earning a glare.

“I would have gladly played backup to Olli for another decade if it meant he was healthy.”

I nodded. I didn’t know anyone selfish enough to want a starting position if it cost a teammate their career.

“I agree, it should be an athlete’s decision to retire, but not everyone is that lucky,” Victoria tried to smile.

“Did you always want to go into sports journalism?” Amelia asked as I found myself wishing we were alone so I could ask her these questions myself.

Wait.

A few days ago I loathed Victoria. Now I was wishing we were, what…on a date?

I ran my hand over my face as she answered.

“Sort of. I wanted to be a color commentator or a play analyst, but those positions are far and few between, especially for women. This was a path that allowed me to stay close to the sport and help promote it.”

Derek grinned. “That’s a great attitude to have. Some people run away once their career is over.”