Page 6 of Slap Shot Scandal
All things considered, the emergency team meeting went about as well as could be expected. I figured most of the players would be shocked and upset, especially considering they just lost their coach in the scandal.
I hadn’t counted on the team captain being all rage and jawline. He’s very good-looking. Tall, dark, and handsome—also extremely pissed off. I’m going to have to thaw that frosty demeanor stat, though, because I need him on my side for this rebrand to be successful.
And itneedsto be successful. If I kill this campaign, I’ll be well on my way to being a force in the sports PR world. On my own terms, working for myself as a freelance consultant. This could be my big break, the one that catapults my career.
I kick off my heels as soon as I walk through the door of my tiny apartment and hurry over to the kitchen table. Setting up my laptop for the rescheduled meeting with Mr. Prince and the team, I ignore the churning in my stomachfrom my jangly nerves and all the leftover adrenaline from the world’s longest day. This is the final meeting with the team to review the new campaign and negotiate the terms of my contract. If everything goes to plan, I’ll seal the deal and land the biggest client of my career.
I’m sliding into a chair when a text pops up on the screen.
Dad: Florida? What the hell?
Oh shit.How’d he find out about this already? I haven’t told anyone—not even my sister, Piper—and we’ve purposefully kept absolute silence on the media front.
I stare out the window and debate how to respond. I don’t have time to get into it with him right now—Mr. Prince will be joining the call any second and I need to focus on getting the job before I worry about traversing the fallout with my father.
Harbor: It’s a great opportunity
Dad: Some piss-ass town in the swamp state? How, exactly, is that a great opportunity, Harbor? I can get you a call with F1 today
Frowning at the screen, my stomach twists into a tight knot. Of course he’s critical of a potential relocation. He never wanted me to work in sports, period. Let alone hockey, his one true love.
Harbor: Thanks, but no
Short, to the point. The less ammo I give him, the better.
No sense reiterating that I want—no,need—to succeed on my own. Not take whatever golden ticket the great Coach Doug Hayes manages to score for his daughter. We’ve had that argument roughly one kazillion times over the last decade. He just doesn’t understand and now’s not the time to try to change his mind.
Dad: This is a terrible fucking idea, Harbor
Wow, I appreciate the support.
Ring, ring.
Plastering a wide smile on my face, I accept the video call and forget about my dad for now. Mr. Prince pops up, along with the GM, and several key sponsors.
“Hello, Harbor. The gang’s all here.” Prince chuckles at his joke, and I keep smiling.
“Evening, gentlemen. Let me pull my slides up for you.” I open the document as another text pings in the corner.
Dad: Let me make a few calls. I’ll get back to you ASAP. DON’T SIGN ANYTHING
I audibly groan, and Prince raises a brow. Coughing, I attempt to cover up my moan.
“Please refer to slide one. That’s the overview of the rebrand.” I begin walking everyone through the slides, going over the reasons for the relocation and the myriad of benefits to sponsors.
Dad: Got you an interview tomorrow at 10 AM EST with Los Angeles
I bite the inside of my cheek and hit theXon the text box, closing the message and concentrating on my pitch.
“We’re going to focus on charity and community.Hockey with Heartwill be the campaign slogan and we can use that on merchandise, really integrate it into all of our marketing efforts.” I highlight the words on the slide with my mouse as the sponsors nod in agreement. They’re into the pitch.
Dad: The PR girl for the basketball team’s going on maternity leave. You can take her position. She probably won’t come back anyway
Good grief.My dad’s an HR nightmare. And there’s probably a 100% chance she’s coming back—has he seen the housing costs in L.A.?
“Harbor, the deck is great, we love all the fresh ideas for the team.” Mr. Prince nods enthusiastically and my chest lightens a touch.
“Thanks, Mr. Prince. I’m enthused about the opportunity for growth and believe the team and the organization can add real value to the community. That’s important to me, and I know it’s tantamount to your beliefs as well.” I smile and try to throw as much enthusiasm into my voice as possible.
