Page 36 of Make the Play

The room goes quiet, and I feel it before I see it. The shifting glances, the slow realization creeping across the table. This can’t be happening. I look around, hoping someone will realize how absurd this idea is. But John’s eyes are gleaming, and several of the team start looking at me thoughtfully.

My spine stiffens.

And then I laugh. Because it’s hilarious.Delusional.

I stop laughing when I realize no one else is joining in.

“Absolutely not,” I say instantly, shaking my head. “No way.”

John spreads his hands. “Zoe, hear us out—”

“No.” I exhale sharply, trying to force the idea out of existence. “This is not happening.”

“Oh, come on,” Chase drawls. “Think about it, Carlson. The world knows we’re friends. We already show up to events together. You just get an upgrade to be my arm candy.”

“I’d rather chew my own arm off.”

Across the table, one of the Storm execs chokes on their water. John glances at him, and I can see the wheels turning. The idea is already snowballing.

I turn to the management team. “This is insane. You’re suggesting I pretend to date him?”

The GM shrugs, as if this is just any other day of the week and not the complete fucking apocalypse. “It solves the problem. You two already have chemistry. It wouldn’t be a hard sell.”

Chase’s grin widens, and I swear he’s leaning into this just to piss me off. “Wedohave chemistry, don’t we?”

“Yeah,” I mutter. “Like a bad science experiment.”

Chase lets out a soft chuckle, tipping back in his chair. “Wow, Zo. Try not to sound too insulted.”

I snap my gaze to him, irritation flaring up my spine. “You think Iwantmy name attached to yours in a scandal like this?”

“Hmm, Zoe Waltondoeshave a nice ring to it.”

“You have got to be—” I turn to John, pointing at Chase like he’s the world’s worst PowerPoint slide. “He can’t even be serious for two seconds. You really think the media is going to believe he’s in a real relationship?”

John blows out a sigh, looking at Chase sternly. “Think you can keep it together?”

Chase doesn’t hesitate. “For Zoe? Absolutely.”

I stare at him.

Then I whip my head toward the one man that is generally more exasperated with Chase than myself, ready to plead my case. “Coach.”

“Well,” he says, gruff and deeply unimpressed. “If we’re already dealing with this mess, might as well have some fun watching you keep his ass in line.”

Chase grins, slow and catastrophic.

The GM gestures between me and Chase. “You two have been friends for years. Zoe is in the hockey world, and you spend time together. This is areasonablesolution.”

I shake my head. “Webarelyspend time together.”

John exhales. “Look. This isn’t an official decision, yet. We’ll have NDAs drafted, but we’re not forcing anything. If you’re open to it, it seems like a viable path forward.”

I press my lips together, pulse hammering.

Chase shifts in my peripheral vision, too smug and too fucking casual.

The weight of the last two weeks presses in. The way I’ve avoided him, the way I’ve shoved every inconvenient thought into a tiny, locked box inside my head.

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