Page 14 of The Captain's Curfew

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They don’t have much online presence besides game highlights and the occasional charity event.There’s zero personality behind the posts.No locker room content, no funny clips, nothing to make fans feel invested in the guys beyond what they do on the ice.

I bite my lip, drumming my fingers against the keyboard.

The team needs a face.Someone to represent them, to get fans excited and engaged.

Someone like?—

My eyes flick to the framed team captain photo on Logan’s wall.

An idea sparks.

Oh, he’s going to hate this.

I grab my phone and open the team’s Instagram, fingers flying as I type:

Meet the man who enforces the rules, runs the drills, and ensures the Thunder stays in line…

I attach a very serious, very broody photo of Logan from last season and post it to the Thunder’s stories with a poll:

Captain Carter: Team Dad or Hockey’s Grumpiest Grump?

I set my phone down, stretching out on the couch, waiting for the inevitable.

It doesn’t take long.

My phone buzzes just minutes later.

Logan:What did you do?

Me:Just helping your PR.You’re welcome.

A few seconds later:

Logan:Take it down.

Me:I would, but the people have spoken.87% say you’re hockey’s grumpiest grump.That’s a landslide victory, Carter.

Silence.

I grin, tossing my phone aside, knowing I’ve successfully gotten under his skin.

Later that afternoon, I step into the rink for my first official team meeting with management.It’s a chance to discuss content ideas, get the players involved, and—most importantly—prove that I belong here.

I square my shoulders and head toward the conference room, only to be intercepted by Declan.

“You’re enjoying this way too much.”

I blink up at him innocently.“Enjoying what?”

He snorts.“Messing with Logan.”

I smirk.“It’s a public service, really.”

Declan shakes his head.“Just… don’t push too hard.Logan takes his role seriously.The last thing he needs is a distraction.”

The reminder stings more than I expected.

A distraction.

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