Page 19 of Offside and Off-Limits
“Wrong way, man!” Weston yells and all three of them come to a stop.
“Keep going!” I call out over the music, because who knows? Maybe hockey players messing up dance moves will be the next TikTok trend?
The guys resume their routine, picking up where they left off, and with only one minor mishap—Weston tapping the wrong foot—they finish, and I cut the music.
“I know we can do better, Clara. Take it from the top?” Asher says.
“Sure thing.” I start the song again, and this time the guys do the routine flawlessly, and clearly have fun doing it, their burgeoning team chemistry obvious in the video.
“That’s a wrap,” I tell them when I’m certain I’ve got the footage I need.
The guys skate across the ice toward me.
Asher says, “I’m happy to help choreograph any of your other dance videos, Clara. Just say the word.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Asher. I’ll definitely take you up on that,” I reply.
No matter how much I may want to pursue other initiatives, Management has made it clear they want dance videos so Asher’s skills will come in handy. And, if I’m being totally honest, I’ve enjoyed it.
“How about we do another one now?” Cade suggests. “Got any other ideas, Tremblay?”
“So many ideas,” he replies with a grin. “We did this one when I was with the Renegades where we lined up behind the lead and stuck our sticks out so it looked like he had multiple sticks before we broke out and skated around. It looked awesome on video.”
“I’ll give that a shot,” Cade says.
“Yeah, me too,” Weston agrees.
I smile at the guys. They’re all so willing to help. I don’t know what I expected from them, but I thought I might need to at least use some persuasion. “Thank you. This helps a lot.”
“Wait,” Cade says as the other two turn to skate off. “Don’t you think our social media expert should join us?”
Immediately, I hold my hands up in the air. “No way. I’m just the videographer today, and besides, you guys are doing great. You don’t need me.”
But my protest falls on deaf ears as Cade grins, saying, “Come on, Clara. Where’s your team spirit?” His eyes are dancing, trained on me, and once again those dang flutters claim my chest.
“I’m not dressed for it,” I say, gesturing at my pencil skirt and heels. I might have thrown a warm jacket on over my office-appropriate attire when we came out to the rink, but there’s no way it’s skating-appropriate.
“You want some pads and a helmet?” Cade asks with a cheeky look on his face. “Come on. I’ll be right there to catch you if you fall.”
I swallow as an image of me being held in Cade’s big arms flashes before my eyes.
“I’m in high heels, which aren’t exactly ice-friendly,” I reply, as though that can’t be fixed by a pair of arena-owned skates I myself used to rent out to the public in one of my many, many jobs.
“I’m sure that’s not a problem, right, Asher?” Cade asks as the other two glide across the ice to rejoin us.
“Not a problem whatsoever,” Asher agrees.
“Who will film it? There’s no one here but us,” I protest.
Yup, I’m grasping at straws here. The last thing I want is to be recorded as part of some TikTok dance routine on the ice. It’s not exactly in my job description. And the thought of being that close to Cade? Nope. Not happening.
“It’s a nice idea, Cade, but it looks like we’ll have to do it some other time. If at all,” I say.
“Hey!” Cade calls out and a young guy in a dark blue boiler suit I hadn’t noticed before looks over at us.
“Me?” he calls back.
“Can you do us a solid?”
