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Thanks, Larry. I appreciate the way you found a fleet of double decker buses and threw me underneath them.
As though we’re all in a movie, heads dramatically swivel toward me. The two men in suits whom I’ve been hiding behind roll their chairs out of the way, affording Logan a direct view of me, hunched over my tablet in an uncomfortable chair along the wall.
I suck in a breath as I wait for recognition to dawn in Logan’s eyes. When I imagined this moment—which I did countless times once I found out Logan was coming—I pictured Logan blinking in surprise when he saw me. Maybe he’d look me over with appreciation in his gaze.
I mean, sure—I can’t compare to the models and actresses and other women I’ve seen pictured with Logan over the years. Not even close. But I’m decent looking.Definitelybetter than the last time he saw me with frizzy hair and braces.
But Logan’s hard expression remains as his green gaze lands on me. I can’t tell if he genuinely doesn’t recognize me or if he’s just refusing to acknowledge our past personal connection in this professional setting.
Either way, it totally sucks to be me right now. There is zero softening of his dangerously hard jaw or his flinty glare. I tell myself not to be crushed by his lack of acknowledgement. I mean, Logan ghosted me and my brother, formerly his best friend, ten years ago. What did I really expect now?
Still. The idea that Logan doesn’t remember me hits like a physical blow.
Coach Davis clears his throat. “Parker?”
Annnnd … I let the moment stretch WAY too long while lost in my thoughts. Everyone is waiting for me to speak. Waiting and staring. I give the beads on my fidget ring a spin and draw in a steadying breath.
“Right. Hi, Logan.” I pair this awful greeting with a stupid little wave.
Kill me now!
“So, as it’s been mentioned, your contract does have expectations that might be pretty different than what you were used to with your last team. Many minor league sports have found a happy marriage between athleticism and entertainment.”
I’ve been trying to make the termathlentertainmentcatch on. But like the wordfetch, it’s never gonna happen.
“What does this mean?” Logan asks in what would best be described as a growl. Too bad it’s an angry one, not a sexy one. Actually, no—it’s definitely both. “I’d like specifics.”
“He does well with specifics,” Jeremy adds, like parroting what Logan says is having his back. I ignore the slimy agent instead of lobbing my tablet at his head and telling him to serve his client’s interests better.
“Specifics I can do.” Swiping my tablet screen, I bring up the aforementioned section of the contract. It’s silly how my heart is racing and sweat is prickling at my hairline.
I begin reading. “There will be no less than fifteen theatrical appearances per season, distributed across social channels as well as repurposed for—”
“English,” Logan says. Then, as though realizing how rude he sounds, he clears his throat and adds, “Please.”
I set the tablet on my knees and meet his eyes head on. “We post at least one short-form video a day on TikTok, cross-posted to Instagram, with the content being combined and repurposed for YouTube later.”
Logan only raises his dark brows slowly. I can almost hear him repeatingEnglish. I clear my throat, realizing that while I might not be talking in legalese, I’m using social media-speak. Already, I’ve lost the attention of half the room.
Not Logan. He is laser-focused on me. I’m torn between withering and blooming under his attention.
“We film a mix of content. Interviews. Clips from games, practice, the locker room. And yes—sometimes dancing or lip syncing to trending songs. But it’s notjustdancing.” I offer him a friendly smile. “Don’t worry. Even our guys who have three left feet off the ice have adapted.”
A few people chuckle.
They can laugh all they want. Thanks to our social media presence, all of our games are sold out, along with every suite and VIP box. There are whole Facebook groups dedicated to ticket swaps and exchanges. My strategy was inspired by the Savannah Bananas baseball team and their Fans First philosophy—but tweaked to work for an official AHL team.
Despite my contributions, Larry still acts like he has no idea who I am half the time. My direct boss, Brad, who heads up Communications, keeps having to remind the team owner who I am. Unfortunately, it’s impossible for me to forget Larry and his walrus mustache served up with a side of light misogyny.
“We also do as much as possible on skates, and I make sure everyone is comfortable. I’ll do the same for you, just like any other player.”
Only … Logan’snotany other player. And I don’t mean because he’s coming from an NHL team in Charlotte. He’s not like any other player tome.
No one else chimes in, probably because now, Logan’s ire is directed toward me. They’re more than happy to let me take one for the team.
Thanks, guys. Really feeling the love.
I offer Logan my best smile—a real feat of strength considering the way my legs are shaking. “It won’t take up too much time. I film throughout the week then usually once or twice a month, we batch some bigger content.”
