Page 33 of Scoring Slater
"No. About starring in a reality show on one of the entertainment channels."
Blue eyes narrowed and Noah studied him while he washed his hands. "Was that sarcasm or are you serious?"
"You know they were at All Star weekend, right? Filming us as we walked inside the building for media day?"
"There were a lot of reporters and cameras. I didn't pay much attention to who was there. I was more in head down, ignore everyone mode."
"They were walking around during the interviews too. Max and I had a great conversation with a host and producer from Inspo TV before the skills competition."
Noah's eyebrows squished together. "And they offered you a show just like that? You didn't say anything about it to me all weekend."
"No. Let me finish, okay? This is something I asked my agent about last year, after fans kept suggesting that I go on those dating and dancing shows but nothing's ever happened until today."
"So you'd be a contestant in a competition?" He played with the paper tag at the end of the tea bag string.
"The show would be about me. My everyday life."
Jaw slackening, Noah stared at him in disbelief. "You really want to do this?"
"I do. They want to film a few episodes to see if the network likes it. Obviously, hockey comes first. I don't want anything to distract from playing. We'll start in July."
"You really want to be a reality star? I thought you wanted to author comic books."
"Can't I want to do more than one thing? The show could potentially bring more fans to the game and maybe help me make the comic book thing happen faster too. And maybe it would open up opportunities for my post-hockey career."
"But we already have fans coming up to us now. That would increase a lot if you add in the exposure you'd get from the show."
"So?"
"So… Privacy could be nonexistent."
Chuckling, he picked up his coffee. "I'm not that private."
"I am." The quiet words were punctuated by his lowered head and white-knuckled grip on the mug. "Even if I'm not on the show."
"I'd want you to be on the show in some capacity. You're a huge part of my life."
Noah's head whipped up. Wide eyed, mouth dropped open, he gaped at Slater while slowly shaking his head. "Cameras following me around is like my worst nightmare."
He knew that. Hell, everyone who knew Noah knew that. But he also selfishly wanted Noah to be involved in some way, to share with the world how happy the man made him. "We don't have to decide on anything now. You don't need to be a featured participant. I'd want you to be comfortable. I'm sure we can figure something out."
Noah suddenly took great interest in his tea. "Right."
Slater didn't know what else to say. Pressing Noah on anything would activate a stubborn streak a mile wide, and there weren't any concrete details on the show or schedule.
Things were quiet as they drove to the rink. Noah drank his second mug of tea and Slater tried to pretend the silence between them was companionable and not awkward.
When they entered the practice facility, the few teammates congregating in the locker room greeted them with hugs, handshakes, and back slaps.
"There they are, the happy couple." Smile wide, one hand wrapped around a cup of coffee, Rod patted them on the shoulder as he passed. "Looks like you guys had a busy weekend. Welcome back."
"Thanks." Slater forced a smile. He didn't feel happy, not with the tension, and Noah—as he strode toward his locker—didn't look happy. "How was the indoor water park?"
Rod stopped and walked back. "Noisy and crowded, but Jacob had a great time."
More teammates arrived, and Slater continued to answer questions about the weekend. He was grateful the team was a supportive and close-knit group.
Scanning the room for Leo, he spotted Noah chatting with Vince off to the side, away from the rest of the team. From Vince's serious expression as he listened and the tightness in Noah's face as he spoke, they weren't discussing anything happy. His heart plummeted when Noah's lips shaped his name.
