Page 66 of One Good Puck
And then I wonder what it would be like to go on a date with Gavin. I bet he’d be a gentleman. Very attentive and thoughtful, just like he is as a friend.
Is he romantic? Is he bold enough to kiss on a first date?
My skin flushes, and I shake my head, pushing the thought away. I’m not going on a date with Gavin. I’m going on a date with Jared.
As I change back into my yoga pants and hoodie, I try to ignore that disappointed feeling that floats through me.
Chapter 27
Gavin
There’s a knock at my office door.
“Come in,” I say while staring at my laptop screen. I’m studying plays from our last game.
When I look up and see Gregory Macer, the team owner, standing in my open doorway, I stand up and try not to look as shocked as I feel.
Greg is hardly ever at the arena. He’s a pretty hands-off sports team owner, preferring to leave the everyday stuff to Alan, me, and the rest of the team staff. He shows up for big media and charity events, and that’s about it. He’s in his early sixties and spends most of his time jetting around the world, checking on his companies and investments.
I’ve had a couple of one-on-one meetings with him before, but he’s always emailed me to set up a time first.
Nerves fire off inside of me. A surprise visit from the team owner can’t be good. I try and think of what could be up, but nothing comes to mind. The team has been performing well. It’s the middle of October, so still early in the season, but our record is strong, and all of our players have been putting out solid performances on the ice.
“Greg. Hi.” I gesture for him to come in.
“Sorry to drop by unannounced,” he says, straightening his tie.
“It’s alright. Have a seat.” He sits down, and so do I. “What can I do for you?”
A small frown rests between his eyebrows. “I wanted to talk to you about my daughter Madeline.”
“Okay…” I try and fail to hide my confusion. I’ve met his daughter twice, ever. Why does he want to talk to me about her? I barely know her.
“She’s been having a hard time adjusting since her…performance during the last Winter Olympics. I’m sure you remember what happened.” He clears his throat.
“Right,” I say. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “Look, I know the times you and I have talked, it’s been about the team. But I was hoping right now I could talk to you, father to father. You have a daughter around her age. I’ve heard you two have a good relationship.”
I nod, still unsure of where he’s going with this. I don’t know a lot of personal information about Greg. I know that he’s a billionaire businessman who’s been married four times and that Madeline is his youngest child. That’s it.
“Yeah, I feel lucky to be close with my daughter and be able to work with her,” I tell him.
“Madeline’s had too many injuries to ever compete in figure skating again.” A sad look flashes in Greg’s eyes. But then he blinks, and that serious expression is back. “I was hoping you could help me carve out a role for her here on the team.”
“What kind of work do you have in mind for her?”
“Something that would get her out on the ice,” he says.
I nod as I process everything he’s saying. I think back to when I saw her at friends and family skate, that defeated look on her face.
“She was known for her power skating, right?” I ask.
His brow lifts slightly, like he’s impressed that I knew that. “Yeah. She was.”
“Maybe she can work with our players on their skating,” I say. “Quite a few hockey teams hire figure skaters to help their players with their edge work, balance, and speed. I’ve been meaning to talk to Alan about doing that for our guys, but haven’t had the time yet.”
Greg’s expression turns thoughtful as he nods. “I like that idea.”
