Page 116 of Eye of the Hurricane
“Okay fine. We asked Sebastian Riley if he could get some ideas from you in a subtle way. He said he knew someone who could… I’m assuming that someone would be Ares?” I blush at the use of his name.
“Yeah,” I admit.
“Seems like he knows you well then?”
“It would appear that way.”
“Today I want to take it easy, introduce you to the team in a more formal manner. Not as a shadow but as their new PRmanager. I’ll run you through some of their files and let you know whose messes you’ll be cleaning up all season.”
“Sounds good to me,” I agree. I follow him back through the halls and back to the rink itself. The boys are wrapping up practice as we enter.
“When you guys are done with your final drill, can I have your attention?” Mateo calls out and he’s met with a pool of yeses and head nods.
It’s clear in every interaction that the team has so much respect for Mateo. When he calls they answer and they do so happily. He’s addressed almost as an extension of the team.
“What’s up?” Vincent asks, sliding to a stop in front of us and causing ice to spray against my bare ankles. Vincent is one of the team’s forwards. Slowly but surely I’m learning the names of all the team members.
“Waiting for everyone to get over here,” Mateo replies.
One by one they meet us where we’re at as they finish their drills. When the last one skates over, Mateo speaks again.
“I know I’ve introduced you all to Katherine before as a shadow but I’d like to introduce her again. Katherine Graeves will be taking my place in three weeks. As I said before I expect you all to treat her with the utmost respect. I will give her my phone number just to let me know if I need to come kick one of your asses,” he says and all of them laugh. “And for the love of God, please take it easy on her for her first season.” He turns his head to face one of the players in specific. “And yes—I’m looking at you, Vincent.”
“Oh my God, you get charged with public indecency one time,” he groans.
“Well, when one time of public indecency is met with ahandful of social media scandals and a pregnancy rumor…” Mateo trails off and Vincent throws his hands up.
“Okay, okay. Point taken,” he admits defeat.
“Any questions or comments?” Mateo asks the guys.
“Just want to say congratulations on the job,” Sebastian pipes up. I shake my head because he didn’t have to say that. He’s told me in person. But as a captain, it’s his job to set the example.
“Thank you!”
“Will you travel with us? Mateo used to but doesn’t anymore,” one of the players asks. It takes me a second to remember that his name is Everett.
“I’ll only travel along when it’s necessary for most away games I’ll be having people under me in the PR team tag along.”
“Will Oliver, Ryan, Sam, and Ben still be with us?” They’re the current PR specialists and content writers under Mateo.
“Yes, none of Mateo’s staff will leave with him. They’ll still be the PR staff, and they’ll be the ones traveling with you guys.”
“Oh good.” He breathes a sigh of relief and I hope that’s a good sign for the kind of men they are.
We spend the rest of the day going over each player and things to look out for. Some are prone to partying, some are prone to women talking about them in the media, but most are just prone to their personal lives being exploited by the media.
When the day is finally done and I have a chance to catch my breath in my car, the first thing on my mind is seeing Ares. The second I have a moment to my own thoughts, I want to call him and tell him about my good day.
The only thing better than calling him at the end of a good day, is seeing him at the end of a good day. So instead of picking up the phone to call, I shoot him a text.
Katherine
Hey, are you busy?
Ares
No, I’m just with Audi and Ro. Got out of class a couple hours ago. Everything okay?
