Page 40 of Puck Me Secretly

I switched gears. “Why didn’t you back me up with Katrina?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Yesterday you told me that the media ban would continue, yet this morning, you’re taking her recommendation over mine.”

“She thinks he’s ready.”

“And you agreed that we should get him on the right side of the fans before he faces old gossip. So why didn’t you back me?”

“My biggest concern is that you're accepted by the staff.”

“And not backing me up will do that?”

“It sends a message I don’t favor you.”

“By siding with someone else even though you know I’m right?”

“Exactly.”

This was so frustrating. “Next time put our players first. I can handle myself.”

“Keep your eye on Logan. He’s your responsibility.”

God. Help. Me.

He checked his watch. “Your meeting starts at 9 AM.”

“What meeting?”

He stood up. “I want you to get to know the game better from the ice level. I want you to sit in on the weekly coaches meeting. It'll give you a great oversight of the players from their perspective.”

“Are you coming?”

He smiled. “Nope. This meeting is all yours.”

“Do they know I’m coming?” I checked my watch. The meeting started in three minutes.

“Baxter won’t mind. The meeting is in boardroom B.”

I rushed to my office to grab my portfolio along with my copies of the players files. By the time I got to the boardroom, the meeting had already started.

When I opened the door, eight sets of male eyes turned towards me.

Baxter, the head coach, stopped speaking. Annoyance laced his voice. “Can I help you?”

I glanced around the table. There were no empty chairs at the table. I grabbed one chair from along the wall and wheeled it to the table while trying to balance my papers and coffee. No easy task in 4-inch heels. “I’m here to sit in on your meeting.”

“Like hell you will.”

I realized that Baxter had no idea who I was. The last time we had met was on my first day, when I stood at the edge of the ice with Dad in front of the entire team, but until now, there had been no one-on-one interaction.

“It’s at the request of the GM I attend all your meetings going forward.”

Don, the assistant coach moved his chair over so I could squeeze in beside him.

Baxter gave a humorless laugh. “Are you his new admin?”

Two coaches dropped their eyes to the table. I set my coffee and files on the table before speaking.

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