Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 131271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“Don’t forget last year’s blooper,” Nadia says.
Rachel shudders. “The ‘shin’ ‘shit’ debacle shall not be mentioned.”
I snort-laugh, Miss Piggy style, which seems to impress everyone and reassures me that I’m surrounded by my kind of people. By the time we take a break, my head is spinning, but my confidence is growing that I might survive this, and even better, enjoy it.
During the break, the interns gather around the table, munching on candy.
“Once, I accidentally posted a picture of my cat on the university’s Instagram instead of my own,” Nadia confesses, her cheeks flushing. “The caption was, ‘Such a pretty pussy.’”
“That’s…” I trail off, “...kind of adorable?” I pop a mini-Snickers into my mouth, trying to swallow my horrified giggle.
“Yeah, half the football team thought it was an invitation to take a look at mine,” she replies with raised eyebrows, making everyone burst into laughter.
“They definitely don’t need that kind of encouragement!”
“What about you, Riley?” Rachel asks, leaning forward with a grin. “Any social media horror stories?”
I hesitate for a second before shrugging. “Well, once I posted something about my high school hockey team, and I accidentally used an image of the opposing team.”
Rachel shudders. “Yeah, that wouldn’t have been appreciated.”
Calvin clears his throat, lowering his coffee cup to the table in front of him and fiddling with the lid. “Speaking of hockey, do you think you could handle covering the university’s hockey games for the department’s socials? We usually rotate, but no one here really gets the game. If you have experience…?”
“Handle it?” I say, sitting up straighter. “Try to stop me.”
Calvin smiles, giving me a thumbs up. “Great. You’re officially our hockey correspondent.”
By the time the day wraps up, I’m more confident. Sure, I have a lot to learn, but the team is great, and I didn’t embarrass myself too badly.
As I step outside, I pull my coat tighter around me and immediately think about Jacob, Hayes, and Shawn somewhere out there, too far away for my liking. My phone buzzes, and I glance at the screen, finding a message from Hayes.
Hayes: How’d it go, social media superstar?
Riley: No wipeouts, so I’m calling it a win. Also, I’m now the official hockey correspondent for the social media team.
Hayes: Look at you, keeping us relevant. Need a quote from your favorite defenseman?
Shawn: Nah…she wants one from the Golden Goalie.
Riley: Only if it’s better than, “I’m just here to keep the puck out of our net.”
Hayes: Ouch. Low blow.
Shawn: I’m wounded.
As I walk back to my car, my phone buzzes again. This time, it’s Jacob. Of course, he couldn’t resist inserting himself into the conversation.
Jacob: You need a quote from the real star forward? I’ve got you. How about: “Scoring goals is easy when you’re the best on the ice. Staying humble? That’s the real challenge.”
I roll my eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t fall out of my head.
Riley: You spelled “insufferable” wrong.
Jacob: Don’t hate greatness, Riles. Embrace it. I’ll even let you quote me as an anonymous source.
Riley: How generous of you.
Jacob: I try.
Riley: Maybe I should quote you all from last night. Oh, fuck yeah, Riley. Ride my brother’s dick, Riley. Suck my brother’s cock. You look so good, baby. Fucking come for us.
Shaking my head, I tuck my phone away, a grin tugging at my lips despite myself. Jacob might be cocky, but his antics have a way of breaking through even the most stressful days.
Just as I reach my car, another text comes through, this time from Shawn.
Shawn: Fuck Riley. Are you trying to give us a perpetual boner? My dick is oak.
Jacob: Keep messaging like that and see where it gets you.
Hayes: She knows where it’ll get her. On all our dicks. That’s the point, isn’t it, Riley?
I groan, laughing under my breath. These guys are going to make this internship very interesting. I conceded in my next message.
Riley: Maybe that’s exactly where I want to be. Stay safe.
The message doesn’t make their being away less unpleasant. It’s only a four-hour bus ride this time but having them all away at the same time feels weird in an eggs-in-one-basket kind of way. I follow up with another message.
Riley: And play safe.
It doesn’t take Jacob more than a few seconds to reply.
Jacob: We will, Riles. We will.
26
JACOB
Everything clicked in the game tonight—the passes, the plays, the goals—they all felt like the kind of magic it’s only possible to catch when the fickle hockey gods are smiling.
By the time the final buzzer sounds, we’ve obliterated the other team, and my two-goal, three-assist performance has earned me the first smile coach Thornton has shot in my direction for weeks. My teammates clap me on the back as we skate off, the roar of the away crowd a little quieter than at the start of the game. Nothing silences fans like a good old-fashioned beatdown.