Page 12 of Bleacher Report
But every time I glance at the empty seats in the stands, I’m reminded of the auction tomorrow. The pressure is back, and the anxiety swells again. What if I make a fool of myself again? What if I can’t shake this hangover? What if I run into Peyton, and she decides to call me out for last night?
Just as I’m about to zone out again, Trey skates up beside me, his expression serious.
“Reed, you need to talk to her,” he says, his voice low. “You owe her that much.”
“I know,” I admit, the weight of his words sinking in. “But what do I even say? ‘Sorry for being an asshole?’”
“Start with an apology,” he replies, shrugging. “But you can’t just let her think you’re some prick who doesn’t know how to treat a woman.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I’ll figure it out. Just...let me get through today."
As practice wraps up, I can’t shake the feeling that tomorrow is going to change everything. The pressure is building, but I can’tignore it anymore. I need to face it head-on, just like I do on the ice.
And surely I’ll be able to find the right words to make things right with Peyton.
I push off the ice, adrenaline coursing through me, knowing that while I can’t control everything, I can at least control my effort. And maybe, just maybe, that will be enough to get me through the chaos of this week.
Chapter Three
Peyton
I tug up on the neckline of my borrowed gown for the hundredth time, trying to convince myself that the backless dress Abby, my sister-in-law, let me borrow isn’t as revealing as it feels.
Abby has a closet full of them. A dress for every year she and my brother Noah have attended the Air Force Ball since he enlisted.
The light blue beading catches the chandelier light, scattering tiny stars across the Hawkeyes stadium, which has been gorgeously transformed into a ballroom for tonight’s charity auction. It’s beautiful. Elegant. And absolutely unrecognizable from the same space I stood in just days ago, surrounded by shouting fans and spilled beer.
I’d much rather be at home, curled up on the couch with hot tea and a book. But when your podcast dreams chew through your savings like Halloween candy, you wear whatever your sister-in-law lends you and fake confidence like it’s your job.
Abby:Stop fidgeting. You look amazing. Trust me—perfect for catching a hockey player’s attention.
If only she knew that’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid.
I’m not here to land a professional athlete. I’m here to interview one.
Just an hour of their time. A voice in a mic. That’s it.
And even though I know Hunter Reed is the player I need to impress the network execs, after last night…I’m not even sure I could sit across from him in a recording studio for five minutes, let alone a full hour.
Selfishly, I hope he skips tonight entirely.
But Cammy already warned me—Hawkeyes players are strongly encouraged to show up for this event, and according to the program I was handed at the door, Hunter’s not only here...he’s listed as one of the players auctioning himself off to raise money.
Of course he is.
Judging by the crowd of women from every walk of life loitering near the stage, it’s hard to say whether this whole idea of letting fans bid on players is noble or just a fresh excuse to stroke a few overblown egos.
Either way, it should be entertaining.
Though, I grow annoyed that I’ll have to watch Hunter lap up the attention of women fighting over him.
Am I tempted to bid on a player just to score an interview? Sure, it crossed my mind. But not only would that be frowned upon in my industry—it’s also a hard pass from my bank account.
The charity auction is already buzzing, the ballroom filled with Seattle's elite, media reps, and team fans. Glittering gowns and tuxedos swirl between tables topped with champagne and seafood hors d'oeuvres.
A stage is set at the front with bright lights, cameras, and a lineup of Hawkeyes players waiting to be auctioned off for charity dates.
“And here I thought I was early,” Cammy says, sliding in beside me like a vision in an emerald dress and high heels that should be illegal. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was dressing for revenge. It has me itching to ask her about JP and if the rumors are true about them dating. It just still feels too early to barge in on her love life, and a work event is the worst time to do it.
