Page 30 of Aftersome
“Not exactly.” He laughed. “I think he more so just puts up with me, but out of everyone on the team, I’m the one he’s closest with.”
The words Mal and close didn’t exist. The only person to ever penetrate those walls were Hayes and even then, it felt like he wasn’t being his true self. Like he was hiding from the world and those who cared about him.
“Why was he drafted in the first place?” I questioned. I remembered seeing something in the news about it a while ago, but I hadn’t bothered to look any further into it.
I wasn’t interested.
“Problems with this old team, I guess.” He shrugged. “Everyone in the league knows he’s a hothead and I think they all just got fed up with him.”
“And the Orchids wanted him? Why?”
“He may have his issues, but he’s a hell of a player. He’s someone who you want out there to have your back.”
Huh. I guess I couldn’t disagree with him there. His size and temperament must have had some teams flocking.
“And does he, have your back?”
“Always.”
His response had come quick and sure. As much as I didn’t want to believe him, I did. Mal’s protective-like talent on the ice was well known. Always throwing himself into fights and taking hits for his teammates.
I hated how much I knew about him.
“Is he any different?” I asked, not really understanding why I did. “I mean, is he any different than he was at Sutton?”
“I think most people would say no, but only because they don’t really know him. On the outside, he’s the same old Mal, just older and a lot more tattoos. But on the inside, the man is still hurting.”
Soon after, James pulled us into the Orchids’ parking lot. A variety of cars were there, some lavish beyond belief and others that resembled my modest vehicle.
“You ready?” James asked as he pulled into a spot.
No.
Not at all.
But would I ever be ready?
With my stare on the large arena in front of me, I took a much-needed breath before I responded.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
10
WREN
Was it too late to back out now?
I thought I was nervous before, but now that I was actually inside the Orchids’ facility, I was about to have a full-blown panic attack. Red, pink, and white assaulted my vision as I followed James. We passed by multiple staff members and they all looked curious about the new girl. Maybe because I was walking beside one of their players, or maybe because I looked seconds away from upchucking all over the floor.
Probably both.
“James, are you sure about this?” I questioned as he led me down a hallway of doors in which I could only assume to be higher-ups of the Orchids’ franchise. “I mean, I don’t even meet the qualifications for the job.”
“I’m more than sure.” He glanced over at me with a grin. “How hard could it be anyway? You have that blog, so you have to know a little somethin’ about how social media works, right?”
I didn’t know whether I should feel surprised or embarrassed that he knew about my blog. Knowing about it was one thing,but bringing it up to me in person was something else entirely. Especially when it was someone who knew me.
Someone who knew my story, and the thought of it made me uneasy.
